Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Updates for Private James Speer
Date Information
09/12/2021 Private James Speer arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 29th November 1914.
09/12/2021 Known family: James Speer, Sarah Speer, Patrick Speer (born 4th May 1912), Jennie Speer (born 8th March 1914). Both children were born in the Aughnacloy area.
09/12/2021 James Speer (junior) and Sarah Slavin were married on 28th November 1911 in the district of Dungannon.
09/12/2021 Known family: James Speer, Catherine Speer, James Speer (born 10th February 1885, Aughnacloy), Joseph Speer (born 22nd November 1886, Aughnacloy), Elizabeth Speer (born 1st December 1892, Ballygawley), Patrick Speer (born 8th September 1895, Ballygawley).
09/12/2021 James Speer was born on 10th February 1885 at Carnteel, near Aughnacloy. He was the oldest of at least four children.
09/12/2021 James Speer was the eldest son of James and Catherine Speer. James Speer and Catherine Marlow were married on 29th November 1883 in the district of Dungannon.
09/12/2021 Private James Speer has no known grave and is commemorated on Panels 16-17 on Le Touret Memorial near Bethune in France.
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30/12/2015 James Speer enlisted in Aughnacloy.
30/12/2015 Private James Speer was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France on 16th May 1915.
30/12/2015 From the Tyrone Courier dated 22nd July 1915:
30/12/2015
30/12/2015 Private James Speer, No 3585, A Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskillings, is wounded and missing since May 10. No tidings has since been received by his wife who resides at Mill Street, Aughnacloy, and she would be thankful for any information concerning him.
30/12/2015 The CWGC refers to Private James Speers. Existing information almost certainly implies that James' surname is Speer.
30/12/2015 The 1911 census records James as 24 years old. James was single at this time. He was living with his brother Joseph and his sister Lizzie in Mill Street, Aughnacloy. The two brothers were working as general labourers.
30/12/2015
30/12/2015 The CWGC record Private James Speer as the husband of Sarah McDee, formerly Speers, of Mill Street, Aughnacloy, County Tyrone, implying Sarah had remarried.
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