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16874   Lance Corporal George Caddoo M.M.
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 15/01/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 04/04/1896
Died: 28/07/1918 (Died of Wounds)
Age: 22
Summary      
George Caddoo was the son of David and Rebecca Caddoo, of Tyghan, Greystone, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. George was born about 1897. Prior to enlisting he had been employed by Stevenson & Son of Moygashel, the linen manufacturers. George was a member of Derrygortreavy Company, Dungannon Battalion, U.V.F. He was also a member of Derrygortreavy Parish Church and Kilnacart L.O.L. 296. Lance-Corporal George Caddoo was serving with the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of wounds on 28th July 1918, aged 22. Lance-Corporal George Caddoo was awarded the Military Medal for the single-handed capture of a German machine-gun, which he turned on the enemy, so enabling his section to advance with safety.
Lance Corporal George Caddoo M.M.
Further Information
George Caddoo was the son of David and Rebecca Caddoo. David Caddoo married Rebecca Cooper on 20th December 1889 in the district of Dungannon.
George Caddoo was born on 4th April 1897 in the Dungannon area. He was one of at least eight sons, six surviving.
Known family: David Caddoo, Rebecca Caddoo, Robert Caddoo (born 13th March 1892), Lawson Caddoo (born 9th June 1893), James Caddoo (born 1st July 1895), George Caddoo (born 4th April 1897), John Caddoo (born 28th October 1899, died 1st January 1900), William Caddoo (born 28th October 1899, died 13th February 1900), David Caddoo (born 18th March 1901), Samuel Caddoo (born 17th July 1903).
In 1899 Rebecca had twin sons, both of whom died within a few months.
The 1901 census lists George as age 4 living with family at house 7 in Tyghan, Derrygortrevy, County Tyrone. George’s father David was a farmer.
Rebecca Caddoo died on 1st July 1908, aged 39. George was nine years old.
The 1911 census lists George as age 13, living with family in Tyghan, Derrygortrevy. George was still at school. His father was a widower.
George was a member of Derrygortreavy Company, Dungannon Battalion, U.V.F. He was also a member of Derrygortreavy Parish Church and Kilnacart L.O.L. 296.
Prior to enlisting he had been employed by Stevenson & Son of Moygashel, the linen manufacturers.
George Caddoo enlisted in Dungannon.
Medal card
Private Caddoo landed in France on 5th October 1915.
1916
From the Tyrone Courier dated 25 May 1916:
Other casualties officially reported in the Inniskillings are :- Killed – Privates G Walker and T Mossy (Augher) ; Wounded - Privates G Caddoo (Greystone), G R Bryan (Dungannon), Jack Williamson (Benburb) and Lace-Corporal J Kerr (Coalisland)
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 3rd June 1916:
Private George Caddoo, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Tyrone Volunteers), has been reported wounded in action. He is a son of Mr David Caddoo, Tyghan, Dungannon and was an active member of Derrygortreavy Company, Dungannon Battalion, U.V.F., and an office bearer in Kilnacart L.O.L No. 296. His brother, Sergeant James Caddoo, of the same battalion, was injured recently.
1918
Lance-Corporal George Caddoo was awarded the Military Medal for the single-handed capture of a German machine-gun, which he turned on the enemy, so enabling his section to advance with safety.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 28th January 1918: Dungannon Medalists
Private George Caddoo, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field, is a son of Mr David Caddoo, Tyghan, Greystone, Dungannon. He was a member of the Derrygortreavy Company, Dungannon Battalion, U.V.F., and an office bearer in Kilnacart L.O.L No. 296 (Killyman District).
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 31 January 1918:
Private George Caddoo, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in the field, is a son of Mr David Caddoo, Tyhan, Greystone, Dungannon.
Lance Corporal Caddoo award was listed in the Gazette on 13th March 1918.
Lance-Corporal George Caddoo was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of wounds on Sunday 28th July 1918.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated 8th August 1918: Dungannon Military Medallist Killed
Lance Corporal George Caddoo, M.M., Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has been killed in action was a son of Mr David Caddoo, Tyghan, Greystone, Dungannon, and at the time he volunteered had been in the employment of Messrs. Stevenson & Son Ltd, Linen Manufacturers, Dungannon. He was an active member of Derrygortreavy Company, Dungannon Battalion U.V.F., and an officer of Kilnacart L.O.L., No 296 (Killyman District). He had previously been wounded. He had been awarded the Military Medal for capturing single-handed a German machine-gun which he turned upon the enemy and so enabled his section to advance safely.
Lance-Corporal George Caddoo is buried in Arneke British Cemetery, France.
Lance Corporal George Caddoo is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial.
George Caddoo is also commemorated on the family headstone.
The CWGC record Lance-Corporal George Caddoo as the son of David and Rebecca Caddoo, of Tyghan, Greystone, Dungannon, County Tyrone
Read more
Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Tyghan, Greystone Caledon CWGC lists parents in Tyghan, Greystone 54.465199 -6.847837
2 Stevenson & Son of Moygashel Dungannon Town South Worked at Stevenson & Son 54.486793 -6.75505
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
20/12/1889 M Cooper Rebecca Parent M/1889/T1/1439/2/26
20/12/1889 M Caddoo David Parent M/1889/T1/1439/2/26
13/03/1892 B Caddoo Robert Sibling U/1892/112/1012/19/3
09/06/1893 B Caddoo Lawson Sibling U/1893/112/1012/19/284
21/07/1895 B Caddoo James Sibling U/1895/112/1012/20/335
04/04/1897 B Caddoo George Casualty U/1897/112/1012/21/276
28/10/1899 B Caddoo William Sibling U/1899/112/1012/22/442 twin, died age 0
28/10/1899 B Caddoo John Sibling U/1899/112/1012/22/441 twin, died age 0
01/01/1900 D Caddoo John Sibling D/1900/112/1012/20/352
13/02/1900 D Caddoo William Sibling D/1900/112/1012/20/386
18/03/1901 B Caddoo David Sibling U/1901/112/1012/23/242
17/07/1903 B Caddoo Samuel Sibling U/1903/112/1012/24/256
01/07/1908 D Caddoo Rebecca Parent D/1908/112/1012/24/375 died age 39
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Caddoo family Lists George as age 4 living at house 7 in Tyhan, Derrygortrevy, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Caddoo family Lists George as age 13 living at house 11 in Tyhan, Derrygortrevy, Tyrone
3 FindAGrave.com Photo of L/Corp George Caddoo's medals (Nancy Wright)
4 Lives of the First World War Photo of George Caddoo and his grave
5 London Gazette - 12/03/1918 Supplement: 30573 Page: 3229
6 National Archives UK Military Medal Card can be purchased here
7 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
8 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of George Caddoo's headstone can be purchased here.
9 WW1 - Eglish Roll of Honour Information about George Caddoo
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023