| Name |
James Stephen FELTON [1] |
| Birth |
27 Dec 1877 |
7 Hillgrove Lane, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland  [1, 2] |
- LDS IGI Individual record, batch no c006341
|
| Baptism |
29 Dec 1877 |
North Cathedral, Cathedral Of St. Mary & St. Anne, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [3] |
| Gender |
Male |
| CAUS |
Dragged Under Train By Army Uniform Coat Whilst On Sentry Duty At A Bridge Near Fota, Queenstown, Co Cork Ireland |
| Residence |
20 Aug 1899 |
11 Broad Lane, Off Great William O'Brien St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [1, 4] |
| Residence |
18 May 1900 |
2 Patrick's Arch, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [1] |
| Residence |
2 Jun 1902 |
2 Patrick's Square, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [1] |
| Residence |
8 Aug 1904 |
9 Sullivan's Square, Off Hodders Lane, Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [1] |
| Residence |
13 Sep 1906 |
3 Sullivans Square, Off Hodders Lane, Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [5] |
| Residence |
25 Jul 1908 |
4 Sullivans Square, Off Hodders Lane, Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [6] |
| Residence |
8 Feb 1910 |
12 Hodders Lane, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [7] |
| Census |
2 Apr 1911 |
12 Hodders Lane, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [8] |
| EYES |
Brown [9] |
| HAIR |
Brown [9] |
| HEIG |
5' 2" [9] |
| MILI |
Was anecdotally considered first Irish based victim of the 1914-1918 war. Was in uniform Guarding the railway bridge between Fota and Queenstown when a passing train caught his overcoat and dragged him under the train. Lizzie was awarded an army pension.
James Felton in the Ireland, World War I Casualties, 1914-1922
Name: James Felton
Regiment: Royal Munster Fusiliers
Regimental Number: 5985
Death Date: 16 Sep 1914
Death Place: Home
Birth Place: St Finbarrs, Cork
FELTON, JAMES. Regimental No. 5985
Rank, Private, Royal Munster Fusiliers, 4th
Batt.; died home, September 16, 1914;
St Finbarr's, Cork.
James Felton in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929
Name: James Felton
Gender: Male
Death Date: 16 Sep 1914
Death Place: Mily Hospl Queenstown
Rank: Private
Regiment: Munster Fusiliers
Regimental Number: 5985
UK Army Register of Soldiers' Effects 1901-1929
Record No - 149593
Registry No - E/52484/1
Soldier's Name - Felton James
Regiment, Rank, No - 4th Battn Royal Munster Fusiliers, Pte, 5985
Date and Place of Death - 16.9.14 Mily Hospl Queenstown
Credits
Account and Date - Cork, 12:14 ?2. 19s. 11d.
Charges
?2. 19s. 11d. Account and Date M.O. 3/15
Date of Authority - 17.3.15/1
To whom Authorised - Wid Lizzie.
Amount Authorised - ?2. 19s. 11d.
No. of List in which Advertised - Self & Children
WAR GRATUITY
19/9/20
Transfer 4/9/20 (struck through)
Reg.d Paper 21/1907 ecl23
Serial no 1943
Image Military>Felton downloaded but not assigned a Source No. (FeltonJames_ArmyRegisterofSoldiersEffectsSCFull.pdf)
Details from Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry:
Name: FELTON, JAMES
Initials : J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Munster Fusiliers
Unit Text: 4th Bn.
Date Of Death: 16/09/1914
Service No: 4/5985
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sect 7.
Cemetery: Cork (St Josephs) Cemetery
James. Felton in the UK, World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923
Name: James. Felton
Gender: Male
Rank: Pte
Record Type: Card
Death Date: 16 Sep 1914
Service Number: 5985
Corps, Regiment or Unit : Royal Munster Fusiliers
Title: WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers
Description: Other Ranks Died Felix C-Fentman W
Reference Number: 13/W/450
Next of Kin:
Name Relation to Soldier
James. Felton
Lizzie Felton Widow
Nora Felton Child
Henry Felton Children
William Felton Children
Julia Felton Children
Record Details for James Felton (Royal Munster Fusiliers)
First Name: James
Initials: J
Surname: Felton
Birth Town: St Finbarr's, Cork
Resided Town: Cork
Nationality: British
Date of Death: 16/09/1914
Fate: Died at Home
Rank: Private
Service Number: 4/5985
Service: British Army
Regiment: Royal Munster Fusiliers
Battalion: 4th Battalion (Why is this important?)
The Regiment can trace its history back to 1652 when it was first formed as part of a private army for the East India Company. This British Company was formed in December 1600 in an effort to break the Dutch spice trade monopoly. The Company quickly realized that it needed to secure and protect its trading posts at Surat, Madras, Bombay and Calcutta. Therefore within two centuries The Company had bought land from the Indian rulers, built settlements, raised its own army and navy, built its own ships and effectively ruled India, thus raising the curtain for Britain's Indian Empire. The Regiment was initially involved in guarding factories along the Hugli River in Bengal. The Regiments Officers were recruited and trained in Britain and commanded a mainly native force.
The ruling Mughal Empire in India was near collapse by the mid-18th century and The East India Company found itself fighting for supremacy against the French and becoming increasingly involved in local power politics. In December 1756 separate companies and detachments were amalgamated into one battalion; The Bengal European Battalion and was involved in the Battle of Plassey, and also helped to defend Fort William against Prince Suraja Dowlah, where many of the officers and men perished in the infamous Black Hole of Calcutta. In 1758 the Regiment also fought against the French at the Battle of Condore and then in 1759 against the Dutch.
Once The Company had consolidated its position, it focused on the collecting territorial taxes in northeast India and confirmed British military supremacy in the region making The Company the ruling power in Bengal, India's richest province. The British government was happy to let the Company rule as long as wealth continued to flow back to London.
The Bengal European Battalion was renamed The Bengal European Light Infantry in 1838 after its distinguished gallantry in the storming of Ghuznee in the first Afghan War. In 1839 a 2nd Battalion was formed as the 2nd Bengal European Regiment. The title Fusiliers was added to the 1st Battalion in 1846 for its gallant conduct in the Sutlej Campaign. The 2nd Battalion also became a Fusilier Corps after the second Sikh War and the Regimental facings were changed from white to dark blue.
However, the Indian population became increasingly discontented with The Company's interference in local affairs and politics, which eventually lead to the first Indian Rebellion in 1857. The Regiment was involved in various battles and the eventual suppression of the Rebellion. However this spelt the end of The Company's rule in India as the British government felt it had mismanaged the situation. The Company was formally dissolved in Aug 1858 and the Crown took over control of the administration and its armies in India. The two battalions were incorporated into the British Army as the 101st Royal Bengal Fusiliers and 104th Bengal Fusiliers. In 1861 the battalions became the 101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers) and 104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers).
In 1881 the Childers Reforms restructured the British army infantry Regiments into a network of multi-battalion Regiments each having two regular and two militia battalions. The 101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers) and 104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers) were amalgamated with the Militia of Munster and became The Royal Munster Fusiliers, one of only five of the infantry battalions given Irish titles. The Regiment was disbanded in June 1922 following cuts in the British army and the establishment of the new Irish Free State.
Royal Munster Fusiliers during WW1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned 'German Emperor and King of Prussia' and moved from a policy of maintaining the status quo to a more aggressive position. He did not renew a treaty with Russia, aligned Germany with the declining Austro-Hungarian Empire and started to build a Navy rivalling that of Britain. These actions greatly concerned Germany's neighbours, who quickly forged new treaties and alliances in the event of war. On 28th June 1914 Franz Ferdinand the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne was assassinated by the Bosnian-Serb nationalist group Young Bosnia who wanted pan-Serbian independence. Franz Joseph's the Austro-Hungarian Emperor (with the backing of Germany) responded aggressively, presenting Serbia with an intentionally unacceptable ultimatum, to provoke Serbia into war. Serbia agreed to 8 of the 10 terms and on the 28th July 1914 the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, producing a cascade effect across Europe. Russia bound by treaty to Serbia declared war with Austro-Hungary, Germany declared war with Russia and France declared war with Germany. Germany's army crossed into neutral Belgium in order to reach Paris, forcing Britain to declare war with Germany (due to the Treaty of London (1839) whereby Britain agreed to defend Belgium in the event of invasion). By the 4th August 1914 Britain and much of Europe were pulled into a war which would last 1,566 days, cost 8,528,831 lives and 28,938,073 casualties or missing on both sides.
The Regiment raised 10 Battalions and was awarded 51 Battle Honours and 3 Victoria Crosses during the course of the war. The Regiment was engaged in battle 13 times at full strength and reduced to less than 6 officers and 300 men 10 of those times. 3,070 men of the Regiment died during the 1,566 days of action.
1st Battalion
04.08.1914 Stationed in Rangoon, Burma at the outbreak of war. Embarked for the U.K. in Dec.
10.01.1915 Arrived at Avonmouth, Bristol and then moved to Coventry and joined the 86th Brigade of the 29th Division.
16.031915 Mobilised for war and embarked for Alexandria via Mudros from Avonmouth.
24.04.1915 Landed at Helles and were engaged in actions at the Battles for Krithia and the Achi Baba heights on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
30.04.1915 Due to the extensive Allied casualties the 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers and the 1st Royal Dublin Fusiliers were amalgamated for 20 days to be known as the 'Dubsters' Battalion.
Jan 1916 Evacuated to Egypt due to the severe casualties from combat, disease and harsh weather.
16.03.1916 Embarked at Port Said for Marseilles arriving 22.03.1916
25.04.1916 Initially involved in defending the Lines of Communication.
28.05.1916 Transferred to the 48th Brigade of the 16th Division where they were engaged in actions on the Western Front including, the capture of Ginchy but were reduced to 5 officers and 305 men.
30.05.1916 Absorbed 3 officers and 146 men from the disbanded 9th battalion.
22.11.1916 Absorbed 21 officers and 446 men from the disbanded 8th Battalion and transferred to the 47th Brigade of the 16th Division and continued to engage in action on the Western Front;
During 1917
The Battle of Messines, The first Battle of Cambrai, Third Battles of Ypres.
19.04.1918 Absorbed surplus men of the 2nd Battalion and reduced to cadre.
20.04.1918 Transferred to 172nd Brigade of the 57th Division and continued to engage in various action on the Western Front including;
During 1918
The Battle of the Scarpe, The Battle of the Drocourt-Queant Line, The Battle of the Canal du Nord, The Battle of the Cambrai, the Division assisted in the capture of Cambrai and the occupation of Lille.
11.11.1918 Ended the war in France at Lille.
2nd Battalion
04.08.1914 Stationed at Aldershot at the outbreak of war as part of the 1st (Guards) Brigade of the 1st Division.
14.08.1914 Mobilised for war and landed in Havre as part of the BEF and were engaged in various action on the Western Front notably fighting the rearguard action at Etreux. The battalion was reduced to 5 officers and 196 men in this action.
14.09.1914 Transferred to Army Troops.
09.11.1914 Transferred to the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Division and engaged in the Ypres Salient offensive and the Festubert battle.
During 1915
Winter Operations 1914-15, The Battle of Aubers, The Battle of Loos.
30.05.1916 Absorbed 7 officers and 140 men of the disbanded 9th Battalion.
During 1916
The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres, The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, The Battle of Morval,
During 1917
The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Second Battle of Passchendaele,
03.02.1918 Transferred to 48th Brigade of the 16th Division the Battalion was shattered in German 'Spring Offensive'.
19.04.1918 Reduced to cadre and surplus personnel to the 1st Battalion.
31.05.1918 Transferred to the 94th Brigade of the 31st Division.
06.06.1918 Reconstituted with drafts from the disbanded 6th Battalion.
16.06.1918 Moved to defend the Lines of Communication.
15.07.1918 Transferred to the 150th Brigade of the 50th Division at Martin Eglise and were once again engaged on the Western Front including;
The Battle of the St Quentin Canal, The Battle of the Beaurevoir Line, The Battle of Cambrai 1918, The pursuit to the Selle, The Battle of the Selle, The Battle of Valenciennes.
11.11.1918 Ended the war in France, Sars Poteries N.E. of Avesnes.
3rd Battalion
04.08.1914 Stationed Tralee, County Kerry Ireland moved to Berehaven, Bantry Bay.
Oct 1914 Moved to Cork.
May 1915 Moved to Aghada, Cork Harbour.
Oct 1917 Moved to Ballingcollig, Cork.
Nov 1917 Moved to Devonport, Plymouth England, then absorbed into the 4th and 5th Battalions in May 1918.
4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion
04.08.14 Stationed at Kinsale, Ireland then moved to Queenstown and on to Aghada, Cork Harbour.
May 1915 Moved to South Shields then on to Fermoy.
Feb 1916 Moved to Bere Island, then onto Curragh and Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Nov 1917 Moved to Dreghorn, Scotland
April 1918 Moved to Portobello and then onto Plymouth and absorbed by the 3rd Battalion.
5th (Extra Reserve) Battalion
04.08.14 Stationed at Limerick, Ireland then moved to Queenstown.
Oct 1914 Moved to Bere Island, then onto Crosshaven, Cork Harbour.
May 1915 Moved to North Shields and then on to Curragh.
Aug 1917 Moved to Galway and then to Invergordon, Scotland in Nov.
April 1918 Moved to Fort George and then onto Plymouth and absorbed by the 3rd Battalion.
6th and 7th (Service) Battalion
Aug 1914 Formed at Tralee, County Kerry as part of the First New Army (K1), then moved to Curragh and joined the 30th Brigade of the 10th Division.
May 1915 Moved to Basingstoke, England.
09.07.1915 Mobilised for war and embarked for Gallipoli from Liverpool via Mudros.
07.08.1915 Landed at Suvla Bay and were involved in the attack on Chocolate Hill, The Battle of Scimitar Hill and attack on Hill 60
02.10.1915 Evacuated to Mudros and then on to Salonika in order to help the Serbs fight against Bulgarian aggression and were involved in various battles including; action at Kosturino, action at the Karajakois and Yenikoi.
03.11.1916 The 6th absorbed the 7th Battalion
Sept 1917 Moved to Egypt and were involved in the Palestine campaign
30.04.1918 Left the 10th Division and moved to Marseilles, France.
05.06.1918 Absorbed by the 2nd Battalion and disbanded.
8th (Service) Battalion
Sep/Oct 1914 Formed at Fermoy as part of the Second New Army (K2), then moved to Mitchelstown, County Cork and joined the 47th Brigade of the 16th Division.
May 1915 Moved to Templemore then back to Fermoy then to Blackdown, Aldershot.
18.12.1915 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre.
30.05.1916 Absorbed 12 Officers and 200 men of the disbanded 9th Battalion, and engaged in various action on the Western Front including; The Battle of Guillemont and The Battle of Ginchy.
23.11.1916 Disbanded in France and the remaining personnel moved to the 1st Battalion.
9th (Service) Battalion
Sep/Oct 1914 Formed at Kilworth as part of the Second New Army (K2), then moved to Ballyvonare and joined the 48th Brigade of the 16th Division.
May 1915 Moved to Ballyhooly and then to Blackdown, Aldershot.
20.12.1915 Mobilised for war and landed at Havre.
30.05.1916 Disbanded in France and the remaining personnel moved to the 8th Battalion.
1st (Garrison) Battalion
01.04.1917 Formed as a Home Service Garrison Battalion in Cork, Ireland from the 1st (Home Service) Garrison Battalion Durham Light Infantry.
Nov 1917 Moved to Prees Heath, Shropshire.
11.11.1917 Joined three Companies and H.Q. and moved to Italy to defend the Lines of Communication.
2nd (Home Service) Garrison Battalion
Nov 1917 Formed at Prees Heath, Shropshire from one Company of the 1st Garrison Battalion.
April 1918 Moved to Cosham, Portsmouth were it remained.
Collections: Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919
The IWGC/CWGC Registers Collection
Campaign Medals:
1914 Star (Mons Star)
The 1914 Star, also known as the Mons Star, was a campaign medal of the British Empire, for service in World War One. This Bronze Star was authorised in April, 1917, to be awarded to those who served in France or Belgium on the strength of a unit, or service in either of those countries between 5th August and...
British War Medal
With the information in James Felton's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.
The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Memorial Death Plaque Of WWI
The next of kin for James Felton would have been sent this death plaque after the war to commemorate all of the war dead. Over 1 million were issued in total.
Victory Medal
With the information in James Felton's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.
Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
* Medal entitlement listed above is worked out using the same methodology the MOD used for issuing them |
| Occupation |
Cooper 1900, Labourer 1902, Cooper 1904-1911, Labourer 1912, Soldier Private, 4th Bn, Royal Munster Fusiliers [10, 11, 12] |
| Religion |
Roman Catholic |
| Residence |
12 Jul 1912 |
12 Hodders Lane, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [12] |
| WEIG |
118 Lbs [9] |
| _UID |
B5EE3A71EFB8424CB22321E9B9C3E64F13A7 |
| Death |
16 Sep 1914 |
Railway Bridge, Near Fota, Queenstown, Co Cork, Ireland [13, 14] |
- Military record state Military Hospital Queenstown
|
| Burial |
18 Sep 1914 |
St Joseph's Cemetery, Tory Top Rd., Ballyphehane, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [15] |
- Commonwealth War Dead - see notes "Military"
|
| Notes |
- Births Registered in the district No 2 in the Superintendent Registrar's District of Cork in the County of Cork Ireland
No - 306, Date of birth - 1877 Twenty Seventh December
Place of birth - 7 Hill Grove Lane
Forename of child - James, Sex - M
Name and surname of father, address of father - William Felton, 7 Hill Grove Lane
Name and surname of mother, address of mother - Mary Felton
Any former surname of mother - Murphy
Signature and qualification of informant - Mary (her x mark) Felton, Mother, 7 Hill Grove Lane
Date of registration - Twenty Fourth January 1878
Signature of Registrar Wm Budds.
LDS Irish Births film has James' Birth as Q 31 Mar 1878 vol 5 pg 112, this clashes with the IGI Index which has the correct parents but a dob of 27 Dec 1877, The registration went through 24 Jan 1878.
Baptism entry North Cathedral Register 11, page 422, entry 23 .
James Stephen Felton, birth date 27 Dec 1877, baptism date 29Dec 1877.
Father William Felton, Mother Mary Murphy.
Sponsors John Murphy & Jane Murphy Celebrant D McNamara.
Note CAP entry from North Cathedral records has James as James Stephen and Address as Chapel St.
Baptism Record
Child - James Stephen FELTON
Address - Chapel St.
Date of Birth - 27 Dec 1877, Date of Baptism - 29 Dec 1877.
Father - William FELTON
Mother - Mary MURPHY
Sponsor 1 - John Murphy
Sponsor 2 - Jane Murphy
Parish - St Marys & St Annes, RC
Register - 11, Page - 422.
1899 Marriage solemnized at the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Cork in the Registrar's District of 5th Centre in the Union of Cork in the County of Cork.
No 74. When married - 20th August 1899;
Name and Surname - James Felton - Lizzie Clothier.
James Felton: Age - Full; Condition - Bachelor; Rank or Profession - Cooper; Residence at time of Marriage - 11 Broad Lane, Blackpool; Father's Name and Surname - William Felton; Rank or Profession of Father - Cooper.
Lizzie Clothier: Age - Full; Condition - Spinster; Rank or Profession - Blank; Residence at time of Marriage -
3 Patrick Arch, Clarence St; Father's Name and Surname - Henry Clothier Dead; Rank or Profession of Father - Labourer.
Married in the Roman Catholic Cathedral, Cork according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church by me Martin Murphy CC.
This Marriage was solemnized between us James (his x mark) Felton (Witness M Murphy) - Lizzie Clothier in the presence of us Laurence (his x mark) Neville (Witness M Murphy) Bridget Mannix
Marriage - Church of SS Mary and Anne Shandon, Register 17 page 53, Entry 8.
Marriage Date 20 Aug 1899
James Felton, 11 Broad Lane and Elizabeth Clothier, 2 Patricks Arch.
Husbands Father William Felton and Wifes Father Henry Clothier
Names of Witnesses, Laurence Neville & Bridget Mannix.
Celebrant Martin Murphy CC, Husbands Father 11 Broad lane.
Note North Cathedral record has Address for Lizzie as 2 Patricks Arch
1911 Census of Ireland.
12 Hodders Lane. Parish St Anne's Shandon.
James Felton, Head, R Catholic, Cannot Read, age 34, Cooper, Married, born Cork City.
Lizzie Felton, Wife, R Catholic, Read & Write, age 34, Married, years married 12, total children born alive 6, children still living 4, born Cork City.
Norah Felton, Daughter, Catholic, Read & Write, age 9, Scholar, Single, born Cork City.
Harry Felton, Son, R Catholic, Cannot Read, age 6, Scholar, Single, born Cork City.
Willie Felton, Son, R Catholic, Cannot Read, age 2, Scholar, Single, born Cork City.
Julia Felton, Daughter, R Catholic, age 1, Single, born Cork City.
Was anecdotally considered first Irish based victim of the 1914-1918 war. Was in uniform Guarding the railway bridge between Fota and Queenstown when a passing train caught his overcoat and dragged him under the train. Lizzie was awarded an army pension.
Buried with his Uncle James Felton and his own son Willie Felton in the CWGC plot St Josephs' Cemetery Cork Ireland.
Details from Commonwealth War Graves Commission entry:
Name: FELTON, JAMES
Initials : J
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Private
Regiment: Royal Munster Fusiliers
Unit Text: 4th Bn.
Date Of Death: 16/09/1914
Service No: 4/5985
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Sect 7.
Cemetery: Cork (St Joseph's) Cemetery
From CD SDITGW (Soldiers Died in the Great War)
Number 5985
Rank PRIVATE
Name FELTON, JAMES
Battalion 4th Battalion
Regiment Royal Munster Fusiliers
How died Died
Date of death 16/09/1914
Where died/theatre of war HOME
Born ST FINBARR'S, CORK
Enlisted CORK
Resided CORK
As you can see, he's down as "Died", rather than "Killed in Action". The
reference to "Home" means he died in England/Scotland/Wales/Ireland, as
opposed to some overseas theatre of war. It doesn't mean he died in his
own house!
There's nothing from the CWGC or SDIGW that goes against the story of him
having an accident in Cork, and quite possibly it's true. A local
newspaper may well have had something on it.
_________________________________
Cork Examiner 17 September 1914
Soldier Killed on Queenstown Line
While acting as sentry on the railway bridge between Fota and Queenstown Junction on
Tuesday night a private named James Felton of the 4th Battalion Royal Munster Fusiliers
was killed by a passing train. Both hips and head were fractured and he died yesterday
morning from the effects of the injuries. He is a native of Cork city. The accident occurred
at the same spot where another soldier of the 18th Royal Irish Regiment met a similar end
some weeks back.
About midnight Dr Hodges of Queenstown was 'phoned for, and he at once motored to the
scene of the accident. He dressed the wounds and took the sufferer in his motor car to the
military hospital at Queenstown. The doctor again dressed his wounds and paid all possible
attention to the injured man without restoring consciousness.
Felton passed away this morning at 7 o'clock. Mr Coroner Rice has been
communicated with about holding an inquest, and it will be held in the Town Hall at three
o'clock to-day (Thursday) (Private Felton belongs to Peacock Lane Cork, and is married with a family).
____________________________
Cork Examiner 18 September 1914
_____________
Inquest at Queenstown
_____________
At the Town Hall, Queenstown, at three o'clock yesterday, Mr Coroner R Rice, solr
Fermoy, with a jury of which Mr. George McCall was foreman, inquired into the circumstances of the death of Private James Felton, of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, who died
on Wednesday as a result of injuries received by being knocked down by an engine on one of
the railway bridges near Fota on last Tuesday.
Private John O'Brien D Company, 4th R.M.F., said that he knew deceased, who was
a native of Cork, was married and lived in Peacock Lane. On last Tuesday night witness
was sentry with deceased at the bridge nearest to Queenstown from Fota.
The Coroner - Is it the same bridge as where the last fatality took place?
Witness - No.
The Coroner - And has anything been done since to protect men guarding those bridges?
Captain Purdon - Yes, Sir. Sentry boxes have been put up, and are there for the last ten days.
Witness continuing - said that deceased walked up to him along the rails and asked
how many more trains were coming. That was about 11.30. Deceased was sober. He was a
temperate man. Witness told him that there were two more trains - one from Cork and one
from Queenstown. The train was approaching from Queenstown, and witness stood on the
down line. The train passed-a very long train-and when it had gone he saw the man stretched out on the line.
Coroner - Was that the down line?
Yes. It was very dark at the time. I asked him what was wrong.
He said, "Chum pick me up; my legs were taken from under me."
I put my hand near his right leg and he jumped. He could not stand, and witness went and
reported the matter, to Corporal Donoghue.
The Coroner - You said it was dark. Have you no light there at all?
No, sir. The only light given is by a passing train.
Was the deceased in his proper place?
Yes.
Captain Purdon said that the instructions the men had were to walk in the direction of
the train - up the "down" line and down the "up" line. If two trains were coming to-
gether they should get into the box.
Were any precautions taken since the last accident?
Yes, these shelters were erected- one at each end of the bridge. Of course
these men knew the times of the trains.
Deceased was not on the line the train passed over at all. In my opinion his coat was blown
over the girders and that he was thrown against the bridge.
Dr Hodges, Queenstown, said that he was called on Wednesday morning. Deceased died at
7 o'clock. He was suffering from fractured ribs, fracture of the pelvis and scalp wounds. All
these injuries from which death resulted could be caused by some direct violence, as by im-
pact from a passing train.
The Coroner explained to the jury that in time of warfare it would neither be
politic prudent, or even within his jurisdiction, to enter into an inquiry into military
matters, such as guarding railway bridges. All these sanctions they knew were carried
out under the most rigid discipline. All the jury had to find out was whether the man
died in the performance of his duties, or if under the circumstances of his death there
was anything that would imply responsible culpability on the part of his superior officers.
He declined to go into that, but it was very obvious from the evidence that every precaution
was observed. He suggested a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, and also
that the jury recommend deceased's dependants to the most favourable consideration of
those who disburse the fund which so justly provides for such cases. They all deeply regretted the accident.
The jury found in accordance with the medical evidence, and added a rider recommend-
ing the dependants of deceased to the most favourable consideration of the authorities.
Ireland's Memorial Records.
http://imr.inflandersfields.be/index.html
FELTON, JAMES
Place of birth ST. FINBARRS, CORK
Rank PRIVATE
Service No. 5985
Mil. Unit 4th Royal Munster Fusiliers
Commemoration -
Reference -
Date of death Wed Sep 16 1914
___________________________________
The only further piece of information I have for you is that the photo you sent is definitely of Irish National Army troops circa 1922-25. It MAY have been taken outside married quarters in Collins Bks but that can NOT be established as ALL military married quarters were built to a similar design. However, with your Cork connections I think, that the married quarters in Victoria Barracks would be a safe bet, especially since that part of the barracks was not burned by Republican forces during the Irish Civil War. Gerry White Collins Barracks 15/9/2004 so the photo cannot be of James Felton. Could it be James Hornibrook check with Tessie?
St Joseph's Cemetery, Cork. Burial Register
St Joseph's Cemetery, Cork. (Botanic Gardens)
Name of Owner of Grave or Vault : Sweeney
Name of Deceased : James Felton
Address : Queenstown
Age; 40
Date of Death 16th day of September 1914
Cause of Death : Natural.
Funeral at 4 o'clock, on Friday the 18 instant, in undermentioned Section and Row
Section : 7, Row : , Grave : ,
Amount paid for Grave or Vault:
Opening Pounds 0.6.0.
Chapel : 0.0.0.
Dated 17 day of September 1914. , ...o'clock, D Dennehy
Hd 7 ft North of John Lyons
N. Fr Potstone
Three Feltons are buried in the same soldiers CWGC grave: James 1877-1914, James 1859-1948 & Willie Felton 1908-1964 at St Josephs. [3, 4, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17]
|
| Person ID |
I160 |
falvey08 |
| Last Modified |
7 Jan 2024 |
| Family |
Elizabeth (Lizzie) CLOTHIER, b. 4 May 1876, 41 Clarence St., (Now Gerald Griffin St.), Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland d. 31 Aug 1943, 639, E. 138th St., Bronx, New York, New York, USA (Age 67 years) |
| Marriage |
20 Aug 1899 |
North Cathedral, Cathedral Of St. Mary & St. Anne, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland [4, 17, 18] |
- LDS Marriage film Q 30 Sep 1899, vol 5 pg 107. James Felton to Lizzie Clothier
|
| _UID |
599E082E3EA8465C864DF6FF976F3A41FE18 |
| Children |
| | 1. Mary Ann FELTON, b. 18 May 1900, 2 Patrick's Arch, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland d. 29 Sep 1902, North Infirmary Hospital, Mulgrave Rd, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland (Age 2 years) |
| | 2. Honora (Norah) FELTON, b. 2 Jun 1902, 2 Patrick's Arch, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland d. 17 May 1974, California, USA (Age 71 years) |
| | 3. Henry (Harry) FELTON, b. 8 Aug 1904, 9 Sullivan's Square, Off Hodders Lane, Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland d. 6 Nov 1980, 1428 White Plains Rd., Bronx, New York, USA (Age 76 years) |
| | 4. Mary FELTON, b. 12 Sep 1906, 3 Sullivans Square, Off Hodders Lane, Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland d. 28 Jun 1909, 12 Hodders Lane, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland (Age 2 years) |
| | 5. William (Willie) FELTON, b. 25 Jul 1908, 4 Sullivans Square, Off Hodders Lane, Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland d. 17 Jun 1964, St Finbarr's Hospital, (Formerly The Union Hospital & Cork District Hospital), Douglas Rd., Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland (Age 55 years) |
| | 6. Julia (Julie) FELTON, b. 8 Feb 1910, 12 Hodders Lane, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland d. 7 Apr 1993, New York, USA (Age 83 years) |
| | 7. Mary Jane FELTON, b. 12 Jul 1912, 12 Hodders Lane, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland d. 21 Jun 1913, 11 Peacock Lane, (Now Gerald Griffin Ave.), Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland (Age 0 years) |
| | 8. James Joseph (Jimmy) FELTON, b. 9 Nov 1914, 3 Patrick's Arch, Off Gerald Griffin St., Blackpool, Cork City, Co Cork, Ireland d. 14 Apr 1978, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Connecticut, USA (Age 63 years) |
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| Photos
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 | JamesFeltonDeathSite
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 | WillieJulieFeltonLilKnoxEileenMoynihan300LoRes
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 | HarryFeltonKateKruseLoRes
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 | HarryFelton_PaddyQuinlan_FamilyLoRes
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 | JohnBreen_MaryLouKnoxWedding1947WLoRes
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 | MaisieMulcahySarahFirmoJuliaFelton1980_2
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 | BreenKnoxWedding1947
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 | JamesFeltonDeathSite1
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| Documents |
 | 1911CensusFormB_SC905
James & Lizzie Felton 1911 census |
 | FeltonJ_L_1911CensusSC905
|
| Family ID |
F124 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Last Modified |
23 Oct 2006 |
1877 - 1914 (36 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
