James Kane was the son of Patrick and Mary Kane. Patrick Kane was an agricultural labourer who moved around the Fivemiletown area, working for various farmers. James was born on 14th May 1911 in the Fivemiletown area. He joined the army about 1931. On 21st February 1945, the 3rd Battalion of the Irish Guards were south of Nijmegen. They attacked southwards from the village of Hassum towards Schanz. They encountered extremely strong enemy opposition and thirty seven soldiers of the battalion were killed on this day. Lance Corporal Kane was on of those killed.
Further Information
James Kane was the son of Patrick and Mary Kane. Patrick Kane and Mary McCarron were married on 10th May 1898 in the district of Dungannon.
The 1901 census lists the family as living at house 1.1 in Tullyquinn Glebe, Aghintain, County Tyrone. Patrick Kane was an agricultural labourer.
Patrick Kane was an agricultural labourer who moved around the Fivemiletown area, working for various farmers.
The 1911 census lists the family as living at house 8 in Timpany, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone.
James Kane was born on 14th May 1911 in the Fivemiletown area. He was one of at least four children, all born in the Fivemiletown area.
James Kane was born on 14th May 1911 in the Fivemiletown area. He was one of at least four children, all born in the Fivemiletown area.
James Kane joined the army about 1931. He enlisted in the Irish Guards and family members recall he did Guard duty at Buckingham Palace.
In World War Two, the Irish Guards fought in France, Norway, North Africa and Italy.
On 21st February 1945, the 3rd Battalion of the Irish Guards were in Germany, south of Nijmegen on the German – Dutch border. They attacked southwards from the village of Hassum towards Schanz.
They encountered extremely strong enemy opposition, coming under heavy mortar and shell fire and were ordered to withdraw. Thirty seven soldiers of the 3rd Battalion were killed in action on this day.
Lance Corporal James Kane was serving with the 3rd Battalion of the Irish Guards when he was killed in action on 21st February 1945 in Germany.
At the time of his death his wife, Lolo Kane, lived in Clapham, London. His sister Sarah was married and living in Accrington, England.
Lance Corporal James Kane is buried in Milsbeek War Cemetery in the Netherlands.
Lance Corporal Kane is commemorated locally on Fivemiletown War Memorial.
Lance Corporal Kane is listed on pages 106 and 107 of the Fivemiletown War Dead book. The photo of Lance Corporal Kane is taken from there. Many thanks to Mark Byers, author of the Fivemiletown War Dead book, for the information and images provided.
