Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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10583   Private James Devlin
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 14/02/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 13/04/1890
Died: 29/10/1914 (Died of Wounds)
Age: 24
Summary      
James Devlin was the eldest son of Daniel and Catherine Devlin. He was born in Drumglass, Dungannon on 13th April 1890. He was the oldest of ten children, 7 surviving, all born in the Dungannon area. His father was a labourer. The family lived at Railway View, Dungannon. James’ father Daniel died about October 1907. By 1911 he was working as a Hackle Setter. James Devlin enlisted around October 1913. Private Devlin left for France with the first Expeditionary Force on the 8th August. Private James Devlin was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was wounded on 21st October during the operations in front of Ypres. Private Devlin died in hospital in France of wounds on 29 October 1914. He was 24 years old.
Further Information
James Devlin was the eldest son of Daniel and Catherine Devlin. Daniel Devlin and Catherine McNamee were married on 19th June 1889 in the district of Dungannon.
James Devlin was born in Drumglass, Dungannon 13th April 1890. He was the oldest of ten children, 7 surviving, all born in the Dungannon area.
The 1901 census records James as 10 years old. He was still at school. His father was a labourer. The family lived at Railway View, Dungannon, Tyrone.
Railway View, Dungannon
Known family: Daniel Devlin, Catherine Devlin, James Devlin (born 13th April 1890), Daniel Devlin (born 2nd February 1892), Catherine Cassie Devlin (born 1st November 1893, died 5th March 1902, age 8), Patrick Devlin (born 4th May 1895, died 20th June 1895), John Devlin (born 26th May 1896), Edward Devlin (born 9th April 1898), Joseph Devlin (born 10th January 1900), Thomas Devlin (born 20th December 1902), Hugh Devlin (born 28th December 1904, died 29th December 1904), Gerald Devlin (born 19th April 1906).
James’ father, Daniel Devlin, died on 30th November 1907, aged 48.
Family : Daniel Devlin (died about October 1907), Catherine Devlin, James Devlin (born about 1891), Daniel Devlin (born about 1892), Cassie Devlin (born about 1894), John Devlin (born about 1897), Edward Devlin 2 (born about 1899), Joseph Devlin 1 (born about 1900), Thomas Devlin 8 (born about 1903), Gerald Devlin 5 (born about 1906).
The 1911 census records James still living with the family in Railway View, Dungannon. James is 21 years old and working as a Hackle Setter. His mother is described as a widow.
James Devlin enlisted around October 1913.
1914
Private Devlin left for France with the first Expeditionary Force on the 8th August 1914.
Medal card
Private James Devlin was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was wounded on 21st October during the operations in front of Ypres.
Private Devlin died in hospital in France of wounds on 29 October 1914. He was 24 years old.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th November 1914:
DEVLIN – 29th October, died of wounds received in action at the Battle of Ypres, Private James Devlin, 2nd Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers, son of Mrs E Devlin, Railway View, Dungannon.
From the Tyrone Courier 3rd December 1914:
Third Dungannon Man to Fall : Mrs. Devlin, 20 Railway View, Dungannon has received intimation from the War Office that her son, Private James Devlin, 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, had died in hospital in France of wounds received on 21st October during the operations in front of Ypres. The deceased left for France with the first Expeditionary Force on the 8th August. He was unmarried and 22 years of age, and had joined the army twelve months ago. The news of her boy's death reached his mother on Monday exactly seven years after the death of his father. The bereaved widow and her people have lived and worked in Dungannon for years and years and her present position is sad in the extreme. She is now left in very crippled circumstances as she has not received anything from the Prince of Wales Fund, her eldest surviving boy is delicate, and she is left with four young children. This is a case where public sympathy might with advantage be extended to her in a practical manner and we commend it to the kind consideration of local philanthropic agencies.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 9th January 1915: A Patriotic Dungannon Family
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 9th January 1915: Corporal Johnston’s Christmas
Lance Corporal John Johnston, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskillings, son of Mr David Johnston, Killymeal, Dungannon, writing to his friends in Dungannon, says that he has had a very merry time at Christmas. He went to Holy Communion at eight o’clock, and saw John McIntyre, Joseph McIntyre and William Dixon (Dickson), all Dungannon boys, there. There was a heavy snow storm on Christmas Day. We all got Princess Mary’s Christmas Box, from which we enjoyed a good smoke. He came across Wingfield Espey (Bush, Dungannon), and was informed that James Davis (Dungannon) was still alive and well. They were all sorry at losing Averall and Devlin, both Dungannon men, reported killed during November, who were very popular in the battalion. He concludes by wishing all the townspeople a New Year, and especially A Company U.V.F., and Mr Bingham, officer commanding and Sergeant Major Whitelaw.
Undeterred by the death of their brother, James Devlin, who was killed in action at the battle of the Aisne some weeks ago, Messrs Edward and Daniel Devlin, Railway View, Dungannon, have now volunteered and joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
1916
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 7th October 1916: Brother of James Devlin
Corporal Edward Devlin, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, is a son of Mrs Catherine Devlin, Railway View, Dungannon, wounded.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 12 October 1916: Brother of James Devlin
Mrs Katherine Devlin, Railway View, Dungannon, has received intimation that her son, Corporal Edward Devlin, Dublin Fusiliers, has been wounded. He promptly volunteered on receipt of the news that his brother, James, had been killed in action.
In his will, he left all to his mother, Catherine Devlin
Last Will and Testament of Private James Devlin dated 7th August 1914:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my mother Katherine Devlin, 20 Railway View, Dungannon, co Tyrone, Ireland. Signed J Devlin. Private No 10583. Date 7th August 1914. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers."
Private J Devlin is buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.
Private James Devlin is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial.
Read more
Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Railway View Dungannon Central Census listing in Railway View 54.502433 -6.775242
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
19/06/1889 M McNamee Catherine Parent M/1889/T1/1503/45/150
19/06/1889 M Devlin Daniel Parent M/1889/T1/1503/45/150
13/04/1890 B Devlin James Casualty U/1890/112/1012/18/46
02/02/1892 B Devlin Daniel Sibling U/1892/112/1012/18/463
01/11/1893 B Devlin Catherine Sibling U/1893/112/1012/19/406
04/05/1895 B Devlin Patrick Sibling U/1895/112/1012/20/264
20/06/1895 D Devlin Patrick Sibling D/1895/112/1012/18/330 died age 0
26/05/1896 B Devlin John Sibling U/1896/112/1012/21/28
09/04/1898 B Devlin Edward Sibling U/1896/112/1012/21/58
10/01/1900 B Devlin Joseph Sibling U/1900/112/1012/23/4
05/03/1902 D Devlin Catherine Sibling D/1902/112/1012/21/371 died age 8
20/12/1902 B Devlin Thomas Sibling U/1903/112/1012/24/122
28/12/1904 B Devlin Hugh Sibling U/1904/112/1012/25/61
29/12/1904 D Devlin Hugh Sibling D/1905/112/1012/23/47 died age 0
19/04/1906 B Devlin Gerald Sibling U/1906/112/1012/25/362
30/11/1907 D Devlin Daniel Parent D/1907/112/1012/24/229 died age 48
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Devlin family Lists James as living with the family at house 20 in Railway View,Dungannon
2 1911 Census lists Devlin family Lists James as living with the family at house 20 in Railway View,Dungannon
3 BillionGraves.com Photo of Private James Devlin's gravestone
4 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of James Devlin
5 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here (no 10585)
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private James Devlin's gravestone can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023