File:John Fitzpatrick William Whelan.jpg

This memorial can seen in Chester Cathedral, Cheshire. Drowned on duty at Belfast 28 October 1909. Lance Sergeant J Fitzpatrick. Private W Whelan.

Soldiers of the Cheshire Regiment drowned 28 October 1909 at First Locks, River Lagan In the fateful day the men of A Coy, Cheshire Regiment were on a route march and river exercise. The officer in charge found a place by the river to give the men instructions into pontoon bridge building near to what are known as First Locks. The pontoon was made up of large barrels lashed together and thick planks and baulks of timber placed across the barrels to make a raft to make one part of the bridge. There were about thirty to forty men seated on the raft. When the raft got to the middle of the river for some unexplained reason the raft suddenly turned over throwing all the men into the water. The men struggled to get out of the water and roll call was made and it was found that two were missing Lance Sergeant Fitzpatrick and Private Whelan. About 2pm the body of Lance Sergeant Fitzpatrick was recovered. Private Whelan body was recovered at 3.30pm. Both are laid at rest in and unmarked grave in the Poor Ground, Section A, Plot YD33. Milltown Cemetery, Belfast Northern Ireland.

William WHELAN. Private 8262 1st Cheshire Regiment stationed at Victoria Barracks, Belfast, Ireland. Born 1886 in Liverpool Lancashire to Richard and Elizabeth Whelan 1891 with his parents and siblings at 80 Conway Street, Everton, Lancashire 1901 residing with his widowed mother and siblings at 43 High Street, Everton, occupation aged 15 Mill labourer. Enlisted 10 September 1909, occupation Labourer. Accidentally drowned in the river Lagan by the collapsing of a raft on which he was engaged at drill 28 October 1909 at First Lock, River Lagan. The following were granted a joint gratuity 6 December 1909. His mother, brothers Richard and George, sisters, Mary A, Elizabeth, Teresa and Margaret.

John FITZPATRICK. Lance Sergeant 5569 1st Cheshire Regiment, stationed at Victoria Barracks, Belfast, Ireland. Born 1879 at Warrington, Lancashire to Patrick and Mary Fitzpatrick, nee Little. 1881 with his parents and siblings at 1 Bennett Street, Warrington, Lancashire 1891 with his parents and siblings at 1 Oxford Lane, Warrington, Enlisted 1 December 1897 occupation labourer. 1901 serving in the Cheshire Regiment stationed at Tournay Barracks, Aldershot, Hampshire aged 22 years. Accidentally drowned in the river Lagan by the collapsing of a raft on which he was engaged at drill 28 October 1909 at First Lock, River Lagan. The following were granted a joint gratuity 23 December 1909, brothers Patrick and Thomas, sisters Margaret, Anne J and Mary E.

Both at rest in Milltown Cemetery, Falls Road, West Belfast in Section A Plot YD33 No grave marker.

The photograph taken by me shows, the Poor Ground where they are rest. It was surprising that the soldiers were not given a headstone.

Rest in peace you will never be forgotten.

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