7th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
24/08/1898
Died:
05/03/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age:
19
Summary
Robert John Murray was the eldest son of John and Mary Murray. He was born on 24th August 1897 in Fedden, Ballygawley. He was the eldest of five children. His father was a farm labourer. It seems his father died sometime between 1908 and 1914. Private Robert Murray was serving with the 7/8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France on 5th March 1918.
Further Information
Robert John Murray was the eldest son of John and Mary Murray. John Murray and Mary Boland were married on 10th November 1896 in the district of Dungannon.
Robert John Murray was born on 24th August 1897 in Fedden, Ballygawley, County Tyrone. He was the eldest of five children, all born in the Ballygawley area.
Family: John Murray, Mary Murray, Robert John Murray (born 24th August 1897), Mary Jane ‘Fannie’ Murray (born 24th July 1899), Susanna ‘Annie’ Murray (born 9th November 1900), Bridget Murray (born 6th December 1903), James Murray (born 10th October 1907), Catherine Murray (born 8th July 1911).
The 1901 census records Robert John as 3 years old. The family lived in Cleanally, Errigal, Ballygawley, County Tyrone. John Murray worked as a farm labourer.
The 1911 census lists Robert John as age 14, living with the family at house 87 in Ballygawley Town. He was still at school. There is no listing of his father.
It seems his father died sometime between 1908 and 1914.
Robert’s mother remarried. Joseph Riordan and Mary Murray were married on 12th May 1914 in the district of Dungannon.
Robert Murray enlisted in Omagh.
Private Robert Murray was serving with the 7/8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France on 5th March 1918.
In his will, he leaves all to his mother, Mary Reardon, who by August 1917 was still living in Ballygawley.
Last Will and Testament of Robert John Murray dated 13th August 1917:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to Mrs Mary Reardon, mother of, Ballygawley, County Tyrone. Robert John Murray. Private 29586. 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 13th August 1917.
Private Robert Murray is buried in Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension, which lies north-west of Saint Quentin in France.
Private Robert Murray is listed on page 56 of the Ballygawley War Dead book.
