Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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15792   Private James Breen
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 08/01/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 4th Regiment, South African Infantry (South African Army)
Died: 03/04/1918 (Prisoner of War)
Age: 28
Summary      
James Breen was the oldest son of son of John and Mary Eliza Breen. He was born about 1891. They were a farming family, living in Freughmore, Clogher. Private James Breen was serving with the 4th Regiment of the South African Infantry when he was captured. Private Breen died of wounds whilst a prisoner of war on 3rd April 1918, aged 28. Private James Breen is buried in Le Cateau Military Cemetery in France.
Further Information
James Breen was the oldest son of son of John and Mary Eliza Breen. John Breen and Mary Trimble were married on 25th November 1886 in the district of Dungannon.
James Breen was born about 1891 in County Tyrone.
The 1901 census lists John Breen as a farmer. 10 year old James was the eldest son.
Known family: John Breen, Mary Eliza Breen, Eliza Breen (born about 1888), James Breen (born about 1891), Thomas John Breen (born 25th October 1892), Matilda Breen (born 6th September 1895, twin), William Breen (born 6th September 1895, twin, died 1st November 1895), Rebecca Maria Breen (born 26th January 1898, died 30th March 1898), Rebecca Maria Breen (born 16th March 1899), Martha Breen (born 7th October 1901).
The 1901 census lists James as age 10, living with the family at house 2 in Freughmore, Clogher, County Tyrone. John Breen as a farmer.
Clogher Main Street
James’s father, John Breen, died on 15th June 1907 in the district of Clogher. He was 50 years old.
The 1911 census lists James as age 21, a farmer's son, living with the family at house 6 in Freughmore. His mother as a widow.
Private James Breen was serving with the 4th Regiment of the South African Infantry when he was captured.
Private Breen - prisoner of war card
Private Breen died of wounds whilst a prisoner of war on 3rd April 1918, aged 28.
Private James Breen is buried in Le Cateau Military Cemetery in France.
Private James Breen - Le Cateau Military Cemetery
James Breen is commemorated locally on Clogher War Memorial and on St Macartan’s Cathedral Roll of Honour Tablet.
The CWGC record Private James Breen as the son of Mary Breen of Freughmore, Clogher, County Tyrone, Ireland, and also as the son of the late John Breen.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Froughmore Clogher Census listing in Froughmore 54.401696 -7.200371
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
25/11/1886 M Trimble Mary Parent M/1886/T1/1438/2/9
25/11/1886 M Breen John Parent M/1886/T1/1438/2/9
25/10/1892 B Breen John Casualty U/1892/107/1026/10/349
06/09/1895 B Breen William Sibling U/1895/107/1026/11/152 twin
06/09/1895 B Breen Matilda Sibling U/1895/107/1026/11/153 twin
01/11/1895 D Breen William Sibling D/1895/107/1026/10/174 age 0
26/01/1898 B Breen Rebecca Sibling U/1898/107/1026/11/394
10/03/1898 D Breen Rebecca Sibling D/1898/107/1026/10/434 age 0
16/03/1899 B Breen Rebecca Sibling U/1899/107/1026/12/20
07/10/1901 B Breen Martha Sibling U/1901/107/1026/12/261
15/06/1907 D Breen John Parent D/1907/107/1026/12/372 age 50
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Breen family Lists James as age 10 living at house 2 in Freughmore, Clogher, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Breen family Lists James as age 21, a farmer's son, living at house 6 in Freughmore, Cloghan, Tyrone
3 Auction lot database Death Plaque for James Breen, auctioned 4 Oct 2017 for £40
4 Red Cross WW1 POW Records James Breen PA27031
5 South Africa War Graves Photo of James Breen's gravestone
6 St. Macartan's Cathedral James Breen listed on 1914-1918 memorial tablet
7 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of James Breen's headstone can be purchased here.
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023