Drennan, William
Lance Corporal
No. 17591, 11th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Saturday 1 July 1916 (aged 28)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B)
Groomsport and District War Memorial
Donaghadee and District War Memorial
Groomsport Parish Church of Ireland Church
Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church
BIOGRAPHY
In both Ireland’s Memorial Records 1914 – 1918 and the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Lance Corporal William Drennan (No. 17591) was born in Downpatrick, lived in Donaghadee and enlisted in Bangor.
William Drennan was born on 26 January 1888 in William Street, Donaghadee and he was a son of Sophia Drennan.
Sophia Drennan and Thomas Miller (sometimes Millar) were married on 20 April 1897 in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church. Sophia Drennan, a full-age spinster from Donaghadee, was a daughter of William Drennan, a sailor. Thomas Miller, a full-age bachelor from Donaghadee, was a son of Robert Miller, a farmer.
During the Great War William Drennan served with the 11th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division and he was 28 when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Initially he was reported as missing in action and in June 1917 it was officially confirmed that he must be presumed to have been killed in action on 1 July 1916. He has no known grave and on 29 August 1917 the payment of money due to him was authorised to be paid to his mother, Mrs Sophia Miller.
Lance Corporal William Drennan (No. 17591) is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial in France; on Groomsport and District War Memorial; on Donaghadee and District War Memorial and on the Memorial Plaques in Groomsport Parish Church of Ireland Church and Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church.