Dalzell, Hugh
Private
No. 24114, 9th Battalion, Princess Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers)
Killed in action on Thursday 16 August 1917 (aged 20)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium (Panel 140 to 141)
Journey of Remembering Belfast Book of Honour
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Hugh Dalzell was born in Newtownards.
Hugh Dalzell was born on 15 April 1897 in Conlig and he was a son of Hugh and Selina Dalzell (nee Gordon) who were married on 17 December 1884 in Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church (St Mark’s). Hugh Dalzell (aged 22), a weaver from Movilla Street, Newtownards was a son of James Dalzell, a weaver. Selina Gordon (aged 20) from Georges’ Street, Newtownards was a daughter of James Gordon, a mason.
The Dalzell family lived in Newtownards, in Georges’ Street, Kennel Lane and Movilla Street. In 1901 the Dalzell family was living in John Street, Downpatrick and Hugh Dalzell Senior was working as a general dealer. They moved from Downpatrick to Killyleagh. In 1911 the Dalzell family was living at 68 Carlow Street, Belfast and Hugh Dalzell Senior was working as a shipyard labourer.
Hugh and Selina Dalzell (nee Gordon) had at least twelve children:
James Gordon (born 31 December 1884 in Georges’ Street, Newtownards)
Martha (born 27 December 1886 in Georges’ Street, Newtownards; died of convulsions from measles in Kennel Lane, Newtownards 14 September 1888)
John (born 29 November 1888 in Kennel Lane, Newtownards; baptised in Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church Newtownards)
James Gordon (born 28 January 1891; baptised in Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church Newtownards)
Martha (born 15 March 1893 in Movilla Street, Newtownards; baptised in Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church Newtownards)
William Gordon (Willie, born 22 June 1895 in Georges’ Street, Newtownards; baptised in Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church Newtownards)
Hugh (born 15 April 1897 in Conlig; baptised in Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church Newtownards)
Mary Ann (born 23 July 1899 in Irish Street, Downpatrick)
Thomas (born 7.30 am 20 October 1902 in John Street, Downpatrick)
Rose Ann (born 7.40 am 20 October 1902 in John Street, Downpatrick)
Elizabeth (Lizzie, born 20 August 1905 in Killyleagh)
Sarah Theresa Christina (born 25 December 1906 in Killyleagh)
After leaving school Hugh Dalzell worked as a message boy and then as a blacksmith’s helper.
Hugh Dalzell enlisted in Belfast on 17 March 1916 and joined the 10th Reserve Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers. In his attestation papers it was noted that he was 5 feet 3⅛ inches tall. His address was 76 Paris Street, Belfast.
During the First World War Hugh Dalzell served with the 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers in 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division and he was 20 when he was killed in action on 16 August 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres. At that time his parents were still living at 76 Paris Street, Belfast.
Private Hugh Dalzell (No. 24114) has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium and in the Belfast Book of Honour (Page 142).