Pte
William Monaghan

Information about birth

Date of birth:
16/06/1885
Place of birth:
Newtownhamilton, Armagh, Ireland, United Kingdom

General information

Profession:
Day laborer

Army information

Country:
Ireland, United Kingdom
Force:
British Expeditionary Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
23300
Enlistment date:
11/1915
Enlistment place:
Newry, County Down, Ireland, United Kingdom
Units:
 —  Royal Irish Fusiliers, 9th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
16/08/1917
Place of death:
Hill 35, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
32

Memorial

Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel: 141

Distinctions and medals 2

Points of interest 3

#1 Place of birth
#2 Enlistment place
#3 Place of death (approximate)

My story

Private Monaghan William was part of the 9th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers, 108th Brigade, 36th Division and took part in the Battle of Langemark on 16th August 1917. The battalion assembled in an old trench running from Pommern Redoubt (HQ) to Iberian Farm. During the attack they reached a hostile entrenched position south of strongpoint at Hill 35. The strong opposition was met and the strongpoint, which held up the advance, was taken. In the mean while the 7/8th Royal Irish Fusiliers got ahead of them as did the barrage. A platoon was left to consolidate Hill 35 as the assault continued. They pushed on until the center had reached a double row of wire south and east of Gallipoli which was only cut in one or two places. Again this held up the advance. German machinegun fire was brought to bear on them from dugouts in Gallipoli, Aisne House, Martha House and Hill 37, which caused a lot of casualties. It was found impossible to push on. The battalion retired and took up a line along a trench running along Hill 35. But machinegun fire from Hill 37 was enfilading this position and again the battalion retired to a trench running in a southern direction on Hill 35. This was consolidated and held until the 16th Division to their right had to fall back, again the battalion had to retired due to enfilade fire, from Iberian Farm. William Monaghan was killed in the area of Pommern Redoubt and Hill 35, due to the battalion retreating his body was never recovered. He is on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing.

Files 1

Sources 4

9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers, (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO 95/2505/2).
Sources used
Cunliffe Marcus, The Royal Irish Fusiliers : 1793-1968 (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1970).
Sources used
Harris Henry, The Royal Irish Fusiliers (the 87th and 89th Regiments of Foot) (London, Leo Cooper, 1972).
Further reference
McCarthy, Chris, Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account (London: Unicorn Publishing Group, 2018).
Sources used

More information 3