Coleman, William
Rifleman
No. 17462, ‘B’ Company, 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Thursday 16 August 1917
Buried:
Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium (Grave V. H. 14)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Comber and District War Memorial
Second Comber Presbyterian Church
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Rifleman William Coleman (No. 17462) was born in Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone.
In 1901 a William Coleman (aged 10) was living in the Olivet Home (an orphanage and home for destitute children) in Ballygowan. In the 1901 census it is recorded that he was Presbyterian and born in County Down.
In 1911 a William Coleman (aged 20) worked as a farm servant for Joseph and Mary Berkeley in the townland of Ballyloughan, Comber. He was a Presbyterian.
Rifleman William Coleman (No. 17462) enlisted in Comber, served with the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division and was killed in action on 16 August 1917 during the Battle of Langemarck. Initially he was reported to be missing in action and then it was officially confirmed that he must be presumed to have been killed in action. Initially he had no known grave but in 1921 his body was found, exhumed and reinterred in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium. His remains were identified by means of his identity disc.
It is noted on his medal Index Card that Rifleman William Coleman (No. 17462) died intestate and had no next of kin.
Rifleman William Coleman (No. 17462) is commemorated on Comber and District War Memorial and in Second Comber Presbyterian Church.