Corry, John
Rifleman
No. 17372, 11th & 12th Battalions, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Friday 12 April 1918 (aged 45)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Panel 138 to 140 & 162 to 162A & 163A)
Lisburn War Memorial
Holywood and District War Memorial
Hilden, Glenmore and Lambeg War Memorial (as John Curry)
Lisburn Cathedral War Memorial
Journey of Remembering Belfast Book of Honour
Family grave headstone in Dundonald Cemetery, Belfast
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Rifleman John Corry (No. 17372) was born in Holywood, Co. Down.
According to Army records, John Corry was born around 1873/1874, and on his civil marriage registration record he is described as a son of Henry Corry, a coachman.
John Corry enlisted on 25 July 1893 in Belfast and it was noted in his attestation papers that he was 5 feet 10 inches tall with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. It was noted that his mother’s name was Mary, his sister’s name was Ellen and they lived at 9 Sullivan Street, Holywood. John Corry served in the East Indies, fought in the South African Campaign during 1902 and was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal. He had nine years of service with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (No. 3920).
John Corry and Jane Nelson were married on 5 December 1901 in Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church. John Corry, a soldier from Londonderry was a son of Henry Corry, a coachman. Jane Nelson from Craigavad was a daughter of John Nelson, a farmer.
After being discharged from the Army on 24 July 1905, John Corry worked as a labourer and gardener.
John and Jane Corry (nee Nelson) had at least five children:
Ellen (born 13 November 1903 in Trevor Street, Holywood)
Jane (born 30 March 1905 in Trevor Street, Holywood)
Elizabeth Noel (Lillie, born 6 October 1906 in Lisnashanker; died 22 January 1933)
Sarah (born 7 August 1908 in Ballymullan, Blaris; died 8 August 1988)
Nelson (born 28 May 1914 in Ballymullan, Blaris; died 17 February 1985)
The Corry family also lived at 151 Dunluce Avenue, Lisburn Road, Belfast.
John Corry enlisted in Lisburn and he served with the 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles until it was amalgamated with the 13th Battalion and then, when the 11th/13th Battalion was disbanded in February 1918, with the 12th Battalion in 108th Brigade of the 36th Ulster Division.
Rifleman John Corry (No. 17372) was killed in action on 12 April 1918 during the German Spring Offensive and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium; on Holywood and District War Memorial; on Lisburn War Memorial; on the Hilden, Glenmore and Lambeg War Memorial (as John Curry); in Lisburn Cathedral, in the Belfast Book of Honour (Page 121), and on the family grave headstone in Dundonald Cemetery, Belfast.
His widow Jane died on 28 November 1948.