Ernest Daniel was the son of Robert and Marion Daniel. Ernest was born in Cheshire about 1884. Robert Daniel, an Englishman, was Justice of the Peace of Linen Finisher. They lived at Farlaugh, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. At the time of the 1911 census, the 27 year old Daniel was still at Farlaugh. His occupation is not recorded. Lieutenant Ernest Daniel was with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed on 21st October 1918 aged 34.
Further Information
Ernest Daniel was the son of Robert and Marion Daniel. Ernest was born in Cheshire about 1884. Robert Daniel, an Englishman, was Justice of the Peace and Linen Finisher. They lived at Farlough, Tullyniskane, Tyrone
Known family: Robert Daniel, Marion Daniel, Robert Daniel (born Cheshire), Norah Kathleen Daniel (born about 1876, Cheshire), Frank Gordon Daniel (born about 1878, Cheshire), Alfred Daniel (born 18th June 1884, Cheshire), Ernest Daniel (born about 1884, Cheshire), Edith Dorothy Daniel (born 9th January 1888, Coalisland), Godfrey Duncan Daniel (born 30th May 1889, Coalisland).
A young Ernest Daniel was scoutmaster of the Newmills troop of Boy Scouts.
At the time of the 1911 census, the 27 year old Daniel was still at Farlough. His occupation is not recorded.
The 1901 census records Ernest as age.17 at house 27 in Farlough, Tullyniskane, Tyrone. His father's occupation is described as “Gentleman”.
Ernest Daniel was associated with his father in the linen finishing business at Derryvale, Newmills.
Ernest became half-company officer of the Newmills Company of Dungannon Battalion Ulster Volunteer Force (U.V.F.), his father being company commander.
He was also an enthusiastic Unionist, having being secretary of Newmills Unionist Club.
Ernest had volunteered at the outbreak of war, and served with the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers.
1915
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 18th February 1915:
Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., of Derryvale, Dungannon, the officer commanding E Company of the 4th Battalion of the Tyrone U.V.F. (of which the late Lord Northland was a commander), is unable to serve in the new Army owing to the age limit, but is well represented by no fewer than five sons who have joined the colours. His eldest son Robert, Who was in business in South Africa, enrolled with the Kaffrarian Rifles at East London at the outbreak of the war, and was shortly afterwards with the regiment in the operations against German South West Africa. His twin brother, being married, was not allowed by his firm to join the forces. His younger brother, Frank, who was in the Transvaal, joined the Civic Guard of Pretoria. Alfred, an electrical engineer, was in Canada, and enlisted in the 17th Canadian Cavalry Field Ambulance Corps at Calgary; while Godfrey joined the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and was with the first contingent to arrive in England. Ernest was at home assisting his father in his dyeing and finishing business, and was an enthusiastic member of the U.V.F., being half company commander in his father's company. He followed Sir Edward Carson's advice and joined the new Army, and is at present at Epsom with the 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Mr Daniel has reason to be proud of his contribution of his sons towards the defence of the Empire.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 27th February 1915: Royal Congratulations for Ulster Parents
Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., of Derryvale, Dungannon, has received the following letter, dated Buckingham Palace, 25th February:-
'Sir, I have the honour to inform you that the King has heard with much interest that you have a t present five sons in the army. I am commanded to express to you the King's congratulations, and to assure you that his Majesty much appreciates the spirit of patriotism which prompted this example, in one family, of loyalty and devotion to their Sovereign and Empire. I have the honour to be sir your obedient servant, F Ponsonby, Keeper of the Privy Purse.'
He obtained his commission as Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles in the Royal North Downs on 18th May 1915, and on going to the front, was posted to the South Antrim Battalion of the Ulster Division.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 10th June 1915 – Commission for Dungannon Man
Mr. Ernest Daniel, youngest son of Mr. Robert Daniel, J.P., Derryvale, Dungannon, has received a commission in the 4th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. Lieutenant Daniel was scoutmaster of the Newmills troop of Boy Scouts, and has also been half-company officer of the Newmills Company of Dungannon Battalion Ulster Volunteer Force. His four brothers are also with the colours, and their father was recently the recipient of a letter from his Majesty the King congratulating him on the patriotism of his five sons.
From the Belfast Telegraph dated 12th November 1915: An Ulster Canadian in Belgium: Godfrey Daniel (brother of Ernest Daniel)
Driver Godfrey Duncan Daniel, of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, 1st Contingent, now in Belgium, sixth and youngest son of Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., of Derryvale, Dungannon, writing to his mother on 6th November, says:-
‘The weather here has been terribly wet, and the mud is thick all over. It has cleared up now and is foggy at night. We have been very busy making gun pits, and go into action again tomorrow night. I think we shall be a long time in action in the new position. The little town we are behind has been blown to atoms, and we have secured quite a lot of German fuses. We are under canvas just at present, and sleep ten in a tent, and are quite warm at night. I will have a lot of news to tell you when I get home on leave. Everything we do has to be done at night, such as supplying the guns with ammunition, and it is very dark. The enemy has a hard time to find the position of our batteries, which is a good job. I am very happy. No need to worry about me. Our horses are all in good condition and fit for the winter. We got some new clothing issued to us the other day. It does not last long here. Tell father to do all he can to get the men about to join the colours; we shall need them all.’
Ernest’s mother, Marion Daniel, died on 3rd December 1915.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 11th December 1915: Deaths
DANIEL – 3rd December, Marion, beloved wife of Robert Daniel of Derryvale, Dungannon and sixth daughter of the late Richard Pike of Beechgrove, Dungannon
1916
Lieutenant Ernest Daniel took part in the opening of the Battle of the Somme and was injured, suffering from shell shock.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 13 July 1916:
Second Lieutenant Ernest Daniel, Irish Rifles, suffering from shell shock, is the youngest son of Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., Derryvale, Dungannon. He was a half-company commander of the Newmills company of the Ulster Volunteer Force (U.V.F.), his father being company commander. He was an enthusiastic Unionist, having being secretary of Newmills Unionist Club.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 20 July 1916:
In our report in last week's issue of local casualties, we inadvertently stated that Second Lieutenant Ernest Daniel, suffering from shell shock, was the youngest son of Mr R Daniel, J.P., Derryvale. Lieutenant Ernest Daniel is the youngest son but one, of Mr Daniel. The youngest son being Mr Godfrey Daniel, who is serving at present with the Canadians.
1917
In August 1917, Ernest was admitted to No 8 General Hospital, Rouen, suffering from slight gas poisoning and was invalided home for a period.
From the Tyrone Courier dated Thursday 9 August 1917:
Second Lieutenant Ernest Daniel, Royal Irish Rifles, son of Robert Daniel, J.P., Derryvale, Coalisland, has been admitted to No 8 General Hospital, Rouen, suffering from slight gas poisoning. This officer was honorary secretary of Newmills Unionist Club, and was a half company commander in the Newmills Company, Dungannon Battalion, U.V.F., his father being company commander. He obtained his commission in the Royal North Downs on 18th May 1915, and on going to the front, was posted to the South Antrim Battalion of the Ulster Division in which he took part in the opening of the Battle of the Somme. This is the second occasion on which he has figured in the casualty lists. He suffered from shell shock received in the attack before Thiepval on 1st July 1916, and on recovery was attached to another battalion.
1918
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 16 May 1918: How the Military Medal was won (Godfrey Daniel)
The following is an interesting account of how Godfrey Duncan Daniel, 1st Canadian Cavalry Brigade, youngest son of Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., Derryvale, Coalisland: On the first day of the big battle presently raging, the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (R.C.H.A.) had a forward gun in action and as the enemy were advancing it became necessary to get it pulled out. Godfrey Daniel with another driver were called out to get their teams hooked on to the gun limber and get to the gun as quickly as possible, their Captain leading them. As the enemy were sending over gas they had to wear gas masks and were subjected to very heavy shell fire. They reached the position before the enemy had time to capture the gun and saved it. This pluck soldier was educated at Royal School Dungannon and took an active interest in all outdoor sports.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 21st September 1918: Mr Robert Daniel, J.P. (father of Ernest Daniel)
Much regret is expressed amongst a wide circle of friends at the announcement of the death of Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., which took place at his residence, Derryvale, Coalisland, on Friday. The deceased gentleman, who originally resided at Oaklands, Cheshire, married a daughter of the late Mr Richard Pike, of Beechgrove, Dungannon, and for upwards of thirty-five years, carried on the linen finishing and dyeing business at Beechgrove. He was representative to the General Synod from the diocese of Armagh. He was a delegate to the celebrated Ulster Unionist Convention in Belfast in 1892, was president of the Newmills Unionist Club, and president of the Dungannon District Unionist Clubs Council (comprising twenty seven clubs). On the formation of the Ulster Volunteer Force he threw himself heart and soul into the movement, and was appointed commander of the Newmills-Coalisland Company, Dungannon Battalion, one of his sons being half-company commander. His enthusiasm on behalf of the Empire was inherited by his sons, all of whom (five in number) volunteered on the outbreak of war, and the deceased gentleman had been the recipient of a special congratulatory letter from the King on the subject. He is survived by eight children (five sons and three daughters, one of whom is married to Mr R St J Chadwick, B.L.).
Lieutenant Ernest Daniel was with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed on 21st October 1918 aged 34.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 31 October 1918:
Lieutenant Ernest Daniel, Royal Irish Rifles, who has been killed in action, was a younger son of the late Mr Robert Daniel, J.P., Derryvale, Dungannon, who died on the 13th ult. Lieutenant Daniel was associated with his father in the linen finishing business at Derryvale prior to the outbreak of war and was the honorary secretary the Newmills Unionist Club, and a half company commander in the Newmills Company, Dungannon Battalion, U.V.F., of which his father was the company commander. He obtained a commission in the Royal North Downs on 18th May 1915, and on going to the front was posted to the South Antrims, with whom he took part in the two opening stages of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916, and sustained shell shock opposite Thiepval. In the following year he was invalided home due to gas poisoning. The late Robert Daniel's five sons volunteered for service during the present war, and he was the recipient of a congratulatory letter from his Majesty on the patriotism of his family.
Ernest was one of five brothers who served. Their father was the recipient of a letter from his Majesty the King congratulating him on the patriotism of his five sons.
Memorials
Lieutenant Ernest Daniel is interred in Harlebeke New British Cemetery.
A Plaque in Newmills Parish Church states:
In Loving Memory of Ernest Daniel, Lieutenant, 4th Royal Irish Rifles, Killed in Action in France, 21st October 1918. Death is swallowed up in victory.
