Savage, William
Rifleman
No. 7131, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Sunday, 9 May 1915 (aged 22)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium (Panel 9)
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database, and in Ireland’s Memorial Records, it is recorded that Rifleman William Savage (No. 7131) was born in Holywood.
Rifleman William Savage (No. 7131) served with the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and he was killed in action at Rouges Bancs on 9 May 1915.
Rifleman William Savage (No. 7131) has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.
Initially reported wounded, then wounded and missing, his death was officially presumed.
In the Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects, his sole legatee was his mother, Mary Jane Savage.
Rifleman William Savage (No. 13/18737) is commemorated on Holywood and District War Memorial and in Holywood Parish Church of Ireland Church (St Philip & St James).
Rifleman William Savage (No. 7131) is not commemorated on Holywood and District War Memorial nor in Holywood Parish Church of Ireland Church (St Philip & St James).
Research has found that Rifleman William Savage (No. 7131) was born in Belfast, and not in Holywood.
Rifleman William Savage (No. 7131) was born on 22 June 1892 at 7 Back Ship Street, Belfast, and he was a son of William John and Mary Jane Savage (nee Watt) who were married on 7 October 1878 in Kilbride Presbyterian Church, Co Antrim. William Savage, a servant from Ballyclare, was a son of John Savage, a labourer. Mary Jane Watt from Straid was a daughter of James Watt, a labourer.
William Savage Senior worked as a general labourer and he and Mary Jane had at least eight children:
Eliza Wilson (Elizabeth, born 8 September 1879 at Straid, Ballynure)
John (born 25 April 1881 at Straid, Ballynure; married Bessie Rodgers 27 March 1901 in St Anne’s Church of Ireland Church, Belfast)
Mary (Minnie, born 5 June 1883 at Straid, Ballynure)
Agnes (born 18 February 1885 at Woodburn, Carrickfergus)
Jane (born 23 September 1888 at 10 Molyneux Street, Belfast)
Johanna (born 1 February 1891 at 10 Molyneux Street, Belfast)
William (born 22 June 1892 at 7 Back Ship Street, Belfast)
Robert Thomas (born 16 April 1897 at 18 North Thomas Street, Belfast)
In 1901 the Savage family was living in Ivon Street, Belfast and in 1911 at 47 Trafalgar Street, Belfast.
Their father, William Savage, died of tuberculosis at home in Trafalgar Street on 1 October 1911. His son-in-law Thomas White was with him when he died.
Their mother, Mary Jane Savage, died in Belfast on 5 August 1924.
No evidence has been found that Rifleman William Savage (No. 7131) had any connection with Holywood.