8th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
06/09/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
33
Summary
Joseph Quinn was born in Drumglass, Co. Tyrone about 1883. Private Joseph Quinn served throughout the South African War with the Irish Fusiliers. By 1911 Joseph was living with wife Teresa and two sons at Washingford Row, Dungannon. Joseph was working at as Spinning Mill Labourer. He had almost completed his nine years in the reserve when war broke out. On 15th July 1916, Private Quinn rescued two officers under heavy fire, and single handed carried in four wounded soldiers to safety, requiring four separate journeys over a 200 yards stretch of No Man’s Land. For his act of gallantry in the field, Joseph Quinn was apparently awarded the D.C.M. and was promoted to corporal. It seems it was actually the M.M. (Military Medal). Corporal Joseph Quinn was serving with the 8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action at the Somme in 6th September 1916. He was 33 years old. The Dungannon War Memorial records him as a Lance Corporal with a Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). It seems this is incorrect.
Further Information
Joseph Quinn was born in Drumglass, Co. Tyrone about 1883.
Private Joseph Quinn served throughout the South African War with the Irish Fusiliers, and took part, under Major General Buller, in the relief of Ladysmith. On entering the town, the first person he met was his brother John, who had been besieged in Ladysmith, and whom he had not seen for eight years.
Joseph was a company commander of the Dungannon I.N.V.
Joseph Quinn and Teresa Fox were married on 20th April 1908 in the district of Dungannon. They went on have at least four children, all born in Dungannon.
Family: Joseph Quinn, Teresa Quinn, John Francis Quinn (born 1st July 1908), Joseph Leo Quinn (born 18th February 1910), James Quinn (born 6th December 1911), Margaret Quinn (born 2nd March 1914).
The 1911 census lists Joseph as age 28 living with wife Teresa and two sons at house 3 in Washingford Row, Dungannon, Tyrone. Joseph was working at as spinning mill labourer.
He had almost completed his nine years in the reserve when war broke out, and on being called up to the colours, served for one year.
Joseph afterwards rejoined, enlisting in Dungannon and had been in France since October 1915.
On 15th July 1916, Private Quinn rescued two officers under heavy fire, and single handed carried in four wounded soldiers to safety, requiring four separate journeys over a 200 yards stretch of No Man's Land.
Major-General Hickie wrote to Joseph Quinn. The testimonial states:- 'I have read with much pleasure reports of your regimental commander regarding your gallant conduct and devotion to duty on 15th July 1916, and I have ordered your name and deed to be entered on the records of the Irish Division signed W B Hickie, Major-General, Commanding Irish Division'.
For his act of gallantry in the field, Joseph Quinn was apparently awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.), and was promoted to corporal. It seems it was actually the M.M. (Military Medal).
From the Tyrone Courier dated 17 August 1916: Dungannon Soldier's Bravery
Private Joseph Quinn, Dungannon, of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, has gained the presentation of an illuminated testimonial from Major-General Hickie. The testimonial states:- 'I have read with much pleasure reports of your regimental commander regarding your gallant conduct and devotion to duty on 15th July 1916, and I have ordered your name and deed to be entered on the records of the Irish Division signed W B Hickie, Major-General, Commanding Irish Division'. Quinn served throughout the South African War in the Irish Fusiliers, and took part, under Major General Buller, in the relief of Ladysmith. On entering the town, the first person he met was his brother John, who had been besieged in Ladysmith, and whom he had not seen for eight years. He had almost completed his nine years in the reserve when war broke out, and on being called up to the colours, served for one year. He afterwards rejoined, and has been in France for the past ten months. He is a brother of Mr. James Quinn, U.D.C, and was formerly a company commander of the Dungannon I.N.V.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 19th August 1916: Private Quinn Honoured
Major General Hickey, commanding the 16th (Irish) Division, has presented an illuminated testimonial to Private Joseph Quinn, 8th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, a Dungannon National Volunteer commander, for his distinguished conduct in the field. The certificate, which is headed 'The Irish Brigade' reads:-
'I have read with much pleasure reports of your Regimental Commander and your Brigade Commander regarding your gallant conduct and devotion to duty on 15th July 1916, and I have ordered your name and deed to be entered on the records of the Irish Division. Signed W B Hickie, Major-General, Commanding Irish Division.'
Private Quinn, who served throughout the Boer War in the Inniskilling Fusiliers, took part in the relief of Ladysmith under Major General Buller. On entering the town, the first person he met was his brother John Quinn, a soldier who had been with the besieged, and whom he had not seen for eight years. Private Quinn had almost completed his nine years in the Army Reserve when the present war broke out, and he was called up with the colours. He served the additional term of one year and then rejoined, and has been in France for the past ten months. He was a commander of C Company National Volunteers in Dungannon, and the members of the Company, headed by their band, gave him an enthusiastic send off on his departure for the front. He is married and is a brother of Mr James Quinn, a member of Dungannon Urban Council.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 24 August 1916: D.C.M for Dungannon Soldier
Private Joseph Quinn, Dungannon, of the Inniskilling Fusiliers, who as already intimated, is the recipient of an illuminated testimonial from Major-General Hickie for his gallantry in the field, has now informed his relatives in Dungannon that he has obtained the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.), and has been promoted corporal. He rescued two officers under heavy fire, and single handed carried in four wounded soldiers to safety, requiring four separate journeys over a 200 yards stretch of No Man's Land.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916: D.C.M. for Dungannon Man
Private Joseph Quinn, Dungannon, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, a former company commander of the Dungannon National Volunteers, who, as already intimated, is the recipient of an illuminated testimonial from Major-General Hickie for his gallantry in the field, has now informed his relatives in Dungannon that he has obtained the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.), and has been promoted corporal. He rescued two officers under heavy fire, and single- handed carried in four wounded soldiers to safety, a risky undertaking requiring four separate journeys over a 200 yards stretch of No Man's Land. Corporal Quinn, who is a brother of Mr James Quinn, a member of Dungannon Urban Council, served in the Inniskilling Fusiliers throughout the South African War, and volunteered in the present emergency.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 7 September 1916: Military Medal for Private Quinn
A list of the recipients of the Military Medal for bravery on the field, published in the London Gazette, includes the name of Private Joseph Quinn, Inniskilling Fusiliers (Irish Brigade), now promoted corporal, who is a native of Dungannon, and brother of Mr James Quinn, a member of Dungannon Urban Council. The action for which he has been awarded the Military Medal took place on 15th July, when he rescued two ….
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 9th September 1916: Dungannon Man Awarded Military Medal
Amongst the recipients of the Military Medal is Private Joseph Quinn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Irish Brigade), now promoted corporal, who is a native of Dungannon, and brother of Mr James Quinn, a member of Dungannon Urban Council. The gallant action for which he has been awarded the Military Medal took place on 15th July, when he rescued two officers under heavy fire, and single- handed carried in four wounded soldiers to safety, a risky undertaking, requiring four separate journeys over a 200 yards stretch of No Man's Land. Corporal Quinn, who had been a company commander of the Dungannon Irish National Volunteers, had formerly served in the army throughout the South African War, and had taken part in the relief of Ladysmith. The present war broke out before he had completed his term in the Army Reserve, and he was called to the colours. On the expiration of his terms of service he volunteered, and has been in France for almost a year. Major General Dickie, commanding the Irish Division, has also presented Corporal Quinn with an illuminated testimonial, which states that his name and deed have been entered on the records of the Division.
Corporal Joseph Quinn was serving with the 8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action at the Somme in 6th September 1916. He was 33 years old.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 21 September 1916: Military Medallist Killed
Mrs Quinn, Washingford Road, Dungannon, received intimation from the Infantry Pay Office, Dublin, today, that her husband, Private Joseph Quinn, Inniskillings, was returned as killed since 6th September. She had received a card from him on 3rd September that he was in base hospital. Private Quinn, it will be remembered had been awarded the Military Medal for rescuing wounded under fire, and had also being awarded an illuminated testimonial by Major General Hickie. He is a brother of Mr J Quinn, Urban District Council (U.D.C.) and had served in the South African war.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 23rd September 1916: Corporal Joseph Quinn
Mrs Quinn, Washingford Road, Dungannon, has received intimation that her husband, Corporal Joseph Quinn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, has been killed in action. He received the D.C.M. some three weeks ago for rescuing wounded under heavy shell and rifle fire. He served throughout the South African Campaign and prior to the present war was employed at Messrs Hale, Martin and Co.'s mill. He was an instructor in the Irish National Volunteers. His brother, Mr James Quinn, is a member of the Dungannon Urban Council. The King and Queen have sent a letter of sympathy.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 23rd September 1916: Corporal Joseph Quinn
Corporal Joseph Quinn, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Washingford Road, Dungannon, particulars of whose death in action were published last week. He had received the D.C.M. only a month ago.
Joseph was a brother of Mr James Quinn, U.D.C. (Urban District Council).
The Dungannon War Memorial records him as a Lance Corporal with a Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM). It seems this is incorrect.
The CWGC record Corporal Joseph Quinn as being the recipient of the M.M. (Military Medal).
