Mullan, James
Lance Sergeant
No. 6637, ‘G’ Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Died of wounds on Sunday 28 November 1915 (aged 39 CWGC)
Buried:
Le Bizet Cemetery, France (Grave B. 4)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Newtownards and District War Memorial
Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) Roll of Honour 1914 – 1919 for
Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church Newtownards
BIOGRAPHY
In some records his surname is spelt Mullen.
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that James Mullan was born in the townland of Ballyblack, Newtownards
James Mullan was a career soldier and in civilian life he worked as a farm labourer.
In 1911 James Mullan, his wife Mary Elizabeth (married 9 years) were living in Darragh’s Lane, Newtownards with three children – Thomas John (aged 12), Hugh (aged 8) and William David (aged under 1 month).
Thomas John Donaldson was born on 13 July 1899 in Back Shuttlefield, Newtownards.
Hugh Mullan was born around 1902/1903
William David Mullan was born on 26 February 1911 in Darragh’s Lane, Newtownards and his mother’s name was recorded as Mary Mullan, formerly Donaldson, previously McKee.
On 1 January 1913 Mary Mullan was born in Darragh’s Lane, Newtownards and her mother’s name was recorded as Mary Mullan, formerly Donaldson, previously McKee.
Mary died of an intestinal obstruction on 19 April 1913 (aged 3 months).
Having previously been a Reservist with the 4th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (Royal North Downs) James re-joined the colours in Newtownards at the outbreak of the Great War. He was attached to the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and posted to the Western Front in October 1914.
Lance Sergeant James Mullan made his will on 7 November 1914 and in it he bequeathed the whole of his estate and effects to his mother, Mary Mullen, of 6 Darragh Street, Newtownards. In subsequent Army records Miss Mary Donaldson, was named as his sole legatee.
In September 1915 Lance Sergeant James Mullan was granted a week’s home leave and he was only back in the firing line for about two months when he died on 28 November 1915 of wounds sustained while he was with a working party repairing communication trenches. At that time his wife and family were living at 6 Darragh’s Lane, Church Street, Newtownards and they placed a Killed in Action notice in the 25 December 1915 edition of the Newtownards Chronicle. It contained the verse:
Oh, how patient was his suffering,
When no hand could give him ease;
God, the helper of the helpless,
Saw his grief and sent him peace
His aunt, Maggie Adair of 12 Robert Street, Newtownards, also placed a Killed in Action notice in the same edition and it contained the message:
The remains of my beloved nephew were laid to rest in France. He nobly did his part for us all and fell. May the blessed Lord raise him up again on the last day to life everlasting.
Lance Sergeant James Mullan (No. 6637) was buried in Le Bizet Cemetery, France and he is commemorated on Newtownards and District War Memorial and in the PCI Roll of Honour for Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church Newtownards.