Miskimmin, Joseph
Served as Miskimmins, Joseph
Rifleman
No. 6832, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action in France on Sunday 9 July 1916 (aged 17)
Buried:
Pozieres British Cemetery, France (Grave III. B. 19)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Donaghadee and District War Memorial (as Miskimmin)
Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church (as Miskimmin)
BIOGRAPHY
In some records his surname is spelt Miskimming, in others Miskimmons, in others MisKimmens, in others McSkimmins and in others, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Debt of Honour Website, Miskimmins.
Joseph Miskimmin was born on 2 October 1898 in the townland of Hogstown, Donaghadee and he was a son of George and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Miskimmin (nee Torney, sometimes Tierney) who were married on 27 May 1878 in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church. George Miskimmin (aged 20) from Ballyhay was a son of Hugh Miskimmin, a labourer. Elizabeth Torney (aged 21) from Ballyhay was a daughter of Matthew Torney, a labourer.
George Miskimmin worked as a labourer and he and Lizzie had at least ten children, all of whom were baptised in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church:
Margaret Jane (born 1 September 1879)
Essie McWilliams (born 17 September 1881)
James (born 4 November 1883)
Hugh (born 17 August 1887)
John (born 15 August 1889)
William Robert (born 1 November 1891)
Mary Hastings (born 7 September 1894)
Annie Jane (born 3 April 1896)
George (born 21 June 1897)
Joseph (born 2 October 1898 in Hogstown)
Joseph Miskimmin enlisted in Newtownards and he served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
Rifleman Joseph Miskimmin (No. 6832) was killed in action on 9 July 1916. That day the Battalion was in a forward position and took some casualties under ‘friendly fire’ from the Allied artillery barrage. Later in the day there were further casualties when the Germans attacked from Contalmaison Wood.
Rifleman Joseph Miskimmin (No. 6832) was 17 when he died, and he was buried in Pozieres British Cemetery, Ovillers-La-Boisselle, France.
Rifleman Joseph Miskimmin (No. 6832) is commemorated on Donaghadee and District War Memorial and in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church. In both cases his surname is spelt Miskimmin.