John Williamson was the son of Alexander and Anne Williamson. Alexander Williamson and Anne Breen were married on 17th September 1880 in the district of Dungannon.
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John Williamson was born on 13th June 1890 in Tempo, County Fermanagh. He was one of ten children.
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Family: Alexander Williamson, Anne Williamson, Catherine Williamson (born 14th February 1881, Fivemiletown), Emily Williamson (born 29th March 1883, Fivemiletown), Mary Williamson (born 19th May 1885, Brookeborough), William Williamson (born 13th August 1887, Fivemiletown), John Williamson (born 13th June 1890, Tempo), Norah Williamson (born 12th January 1893, Tempo), George Williamson (born 19th February 1895, Tempo), Frederick Williamson (born 20th May 1896, died 5th May 1902, age 6), Robert Williamson (born 6th April 1899, Tempo), Henry Williamson (born 6th October 1901, Tempo).
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The 1901 census records John as a 13 year old student. The family was living in Pubble near Tempo, County Fermanagh. His father was an agricultural labourer.
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The 1911 census shows the family were now living in Carrownagillagh, Tempo, Fermanagh. Twenty year old John was working as a farm labourer.
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John was the husband of Caroline Williamson. There was a John Williamson who married a Cassie Curry on 4th August 1914 in Derry. There was also a John Williamson who married a Carlisle Gilliland on 21st December 1916 in Belfast.
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On 4th December 1914, he enlisted with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Enniskillen.
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1915
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On 18th February 1915, he was at Shanes Castle in Antrim.
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1917
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He was at Finner Camp on 7rth April 1917.
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Private John Williamson arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 15th June 1917.
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On 1th August 1917, he was wounded in the arm and was treated at No 16 Hospital at Le Deport, bear Dieppe. A month later he was back with his unit.
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1918
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On 5th January 1918, when he again returned to hospital due to ill health.
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John was the older brother of George Williamson. Private George Williamson was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 29th March 1918 in France. He was 23 years old.
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From the Impartial Reporter dated 15th April 1918:
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Private George Williamson, son of Mr and Mrs Williamson, Ballinamoney, Tempo, has been killed in action. His elder brother has already been twice wounded. Rev W Edward Fleming, chaplain, wrote to grieved parents: ‘He died a brave soldier at the post of duty’. He also conveyed the sincere sympathy of Colonel Peacock and officers and men of the battalion.
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After this he was sent home and was posted to the 12th Reserve Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, based at Finner Camp in Donegal.
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1919
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Private John Williamson was serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of consumption at Tempo on 8th September 1919.
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Memorials
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John Williamson is buried in the South-East part of Fivemiletown Church of Ireland Cemetery, County Tyrone. His inscription reads: FOR EVER WITH THE LORD EVER REMEMBERED
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Private John Williamson is commemorated locally on the Fivemiletown War Memorial and the Enniskillen War Memorial.
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The CWGC records John as the son of Alexander and Annie Williamson, of Tempo, Co. Fermanagh.
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The CWGC also records John as the husband of Caroline Williamson of Edenamore Terrace, Tempo, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh.
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Private John Williamson is listed on page 78 of the Fivemiletown book, from which details come from. Many thanks to Mark Byers for the information.
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