148th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Canadian Army)
Date Of Birth:
27/09/1871
Died:
27/12/1916 (Died by accident)
Age:
45
Summary
James Hetherington was born on 27th September 1871 in County Tyrone. James emigrated to Canada. James served with the 5th Royal Highland Regiment of Canada for 17 years. James was living at 362A St Antoine Street, Montreal, Quebec when he enlisted. He was working as a mason. Private James Hetherington had a brother-in-law Robert Davidson, who lived and worked as a labourer in Ballynasaggart, Ballygawley. James arrived in Ballygawley just before Christmas 1916 to stay for a week. Private Hetherington left by train on 27th December to rejoin his unit, the 148th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry. Unfortunately, at Belfast railway station, Private Hetherington had exited his train on Platform 3 and was walking across the tracks to Platform 4 when he was hit by another train. He was killed instantly. Private Hetherington is buried in Belfast City Cemetery.
Further Information
James Hetherington was born on 27th September 1871 in County Tyrone.
James emigrated to Canada.
James served with the 5th Royal Highland Regiment of Canada for 17 years.
James had a brother-in-law, Robert Davidson, who lived and worked as a labourer in Ballynasaggart, Ballygawley.
James was living at 362A St Antoine Street, Montreal, Quebec when he enlisted. He was working as a mason. James enlisted on 31st January 1916 in Montreal.
He stated his next of kin as his sister, Mrs Mary Jane Mulligan, who was living at 445 Albert Street, Kingston, Ontario.
Private James Hetherington arrived in Ballygawley on leave just before Christmas 1916 to stay for a week with his brother-in-law, Robert Davidson.
Private Hetherington left by train on 27th December to re-join his unit, the 148th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry.
Unfortunately, at Belfast railway station, Private Hetherington had exited his train on Platform 3 and was walking across the tracks to Platform 4 when he was hit by another train. He was killed instantly.
Private James Hetherington died on 27th December 1916. He was 45 years old
From the Tyrone Courier dated 4th January 1916: Killed on the Rails – A Soldier's Tragic Fate
A sad fatality at the Great Northern Railway (G.N.R.) terminus, Belfast, of which Private James Hetherington, a Canadian soldier, was the victim, was investigated before the Belfast city coroner. Robert Davidson, labourer, Ballynasaggart, Ballygawley, a brother-in-law of the late soldier, said the deceased had spent a week's leave with him and left on Wednesday afternoon for Belfast. James Gallagher, engine driver of the 8:44pm local train from Lisburn on Wednesday deposed to feeling a slight shock to the engine on passing under the Boyne Bridge entering No 4 Platform. He pulled the train up immediately, and on searching discovered the deceased, over whom the engine and three carriages had passed. He immediately called the head porter (James Wallace), and the body was removed. Mr Young (for the G.N.R), remarked that the soldier had evidently got out of his train which arrived at No 3 Platform a few minutes before the Lisburn train, and was crossing to No 4 Platform. David Sloan, carman, gave evidence as to the removal of the body. Lieut C J H Samuels, railway transport officer, who was on duty at the terminus, and superintended the removal of the remains, was also examined. The evidence of Captain Arthur Moore, R.A.M.C., showed that death was due to shock and haemorrhage, the body being very badly mutilated. Mr Wellington Young expressed the regret of the railway company (G.N.R) at the loss of such a fine soldier, but said it was evident that there was no blame to be attributed to any of the staff in their service. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, and exonerated the railway company of all blame.
Private Hetherington is buried in Belfast City Cemetery.
NOTE: There is nothing in this research to say that James Hetherington ever lived in Ballygawley. No GRONI record can be found of his birth, compounded by few details of his family. There is an unsubstantiated report that he was born in Irvinestown, County Tyrone, to Thomas and Jane Hetherington. No evidence of this can be found.
