I have been thinking long and hard about what to write about next, it's not because I'm short on topics but rather which do I choose next. I was sitting down reading something when I noticed today's date and suddenly a moment of inspiration came to light.
Today marks the 101st anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. Over a million men would be killed or wounded making it one of the bloodiest battles in human history. There is barely anyone who doesn't have some connection to the Somme and my tree is no different. On my father's side at least 10 people served in the army, 4 of whom were killed at the Somme.
Second Lieutenant Robert Clanrye McGaffin, son of Peter McGaffin and Ada Margaret Cope, served in the 10th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. These regiments were tasked with firing heavy shells into enemy lines as well as neutralising or destroying certain areas of enemy territory. On 5th July 1916, fours days into the Somme, Robert was killed at the age of 21. He is the youngest of the four relatives to have been killed at the Somme. Robert had three McGaffin cousins who joined the 1st Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles - James (136088), Robert Sloane (136090) and Joseph (136089), sons of James McGaffin and Ellen Sloan. Joseph would be the only one that survived.
Robert Sloane and James joined the Canadian Mounted Rifles as Privates on 26th July 1915 after moving to Canada from Donaghadee. Robert was described as being 5ft 7 with a fresh complexion consisting of brown eyes and brown hair (a very common McGaffin trait it seems). James was described as 5ft 61/2 with a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark hair. Both brothers were killed on 15th September 1916, Robert was 26 and James was 33. James left behind a wife Emily and three sons Alexander, George and James Jnr. There are no known graves and their names are engraved on the Vimy Memorial in France.
Edward Shannon (24968), a plater from Belfast, son of Joseph Shannon and Elizabeth McNeilly, originally joined the 3rd Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers as a Private but was later transferred to 1st Battalion. He was fatally gassed and later died of his wounds on 9th August 1916. His grave is located in the Potijze Chateau Wood Cemetery.
It is tragic that these young men were cut down in their prime. They didn't have to go off and fight but yet they did so anyway. We should never forget the brave sacrifice they made along with the millions of other men and women. Lest we forget.
