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29457   Private Joseph Taggart
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Dated added: 16/07/2020   Last updated: 13/11/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 25/03/1887
Died: 29/03/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 31
Summary      
Joseph Taggart was the youngest son of Isaac and Mary Taggart. He was born in the Caledon area on 25th March 1887. He was the second youngest of at least nine children. His father was a labourer. It is reported that prior to enlisting, Joseph was employed as a farm labourer. Private Joseph Taggart was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died around the 29th March 1918. The date and location of his death suggests he died as the result of the German Spring Offensive, which started on 21st March 1918.
Private Joseph Taggart
Further Information
Joseph Taggart was the youngest son of Isaac and Mary Taggart. Isaac Taggart and Mary Wright were married on 17th March 1870 in the district of Dungannon.
Joseph Taggart was born in the Caledon area on 25th March 1887. He was the second youngest of at least nine children.
Known family: Isaac Taggart, Mary Taggart, Sarah Taggart (born 5th February 1872, Aughnacloy), Anne Taggart (born 8th September 1873, Aughnacloy), Lizzie Taggart (born 10th November 1875, Aughnacloy), Isaac Taggart (born 18th December 1877, Aughnacloy), James Taggart (born 20th May 1880, Aughnacloy), Mary Taggart (born 6th September 1882, Aughnacloy), John Taggart (born 29th October 1884, Aughnacloy), Joseph Taggart (born 25th March 1887, Caledon and Ballymagran), Isabel Taggart (born 6th March 1889, Caledon and Ballymagran).
The 1901 census lists Joseph as age 8, living with the family at house 8 in Kilmore, Minterburn, County Tyrone. Joseph was still at school. His father was a labourer.
It seems the family had split by the time of the 1911 census.
It is reported that prior to enlisting, Joseph was employed as a farm labourer.
Medal card
Private Joseph Taggart was wounded at Messines in June 1917. He later re-joined his battalion.
Private Joseph Taggart - Image courtesy of Mark Taggart via WW1 Research Ireland’s Facebook page
Private Joseph Taggart was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died. CWGC records indicate that he was killed between 21-29 March. Research however, indicates that he was most likely killed on 23rd March 19 as the battalion fought a desperate rearguard action near the villages of Aubigny and Brouchy.
The date and location of his death suggests he died as the result of the German Spring Offensive, which started on 21st March 1918.
Private Joseph Taggart is buried at Ham British Cemetery in Muille-Villette in the Somme region of France.
Private Joseph Taggart is commemorated locally on the World War One Roll of Honour in Brantry Church of Ireland in County Tyrone.
Much of the information here is derived from the research of WW1 Research Ireland. The photo of Private Joseph Taggart is also from WW1 Research Ireland’s Facebook page. (see below)
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Kilmore, Minterburn Caledon Census listing in Kilmore, Minterburn 54.409286 -6.820480
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
17/03/1870 M Wright Mary Parent M/1870/T1/2556/2/121b
17/03/1870 M Taggart Isaac Parent M/1870/T1/2556/2/121a
05/02/1872 B Taggart Sarah Sibling U/1872/76/1026/3/381
08/09/1873 B Taggart Anne Sibling U/1873/76/1026/4/121
10/11/1875 B Taggart Lizzie Sibling U/1875/76/1026/4/436
18/12/1877 B Taggart Isaac Sibling U/1877/76/1026/5/249
20/05/1880 B Taggart James Sibling U/1880/76/1026/6/98
06/09/1882 B Taggart Mary Sibling U/1882/76/1026/6/389
29/10/1884 B Taggart John Sibling U/1884/76/1026/7/127
25/03/1887 B Taggart Joseph Casualty U/1887/108/1012/4/74
06/03/1889 B Taggart Isabella Sibling U/1889/108/1012/4/147
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Taggart family Lists Joseph as age 14 living with the family at house 8 in Kilmore, Minterburn, Tyrone
2 Facebook - WW1 Research Ireland Details of Private Joseph Taggart including photo
3 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
4 Townlands.ie Irelands Memorial Record's lists him as born Kilmore
5 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private Joseph Taggart's gravestone can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023