We were originally of Scottish Blood

My life in Pictures

Last Update 12 September 2015

Military History of Newtownards
Pre WW1
* New and under construction *

Pre WW1 by Date

1797 - Birch, Dr.George - Commander of the Newtownards Yeomanry Cavalry
He had 2 sons who were involved in the United Irishmens Uprisig of 1798 and fought on the rebel side at Saintfield - John and George
Re: John - Steel Dickson in his Narrative, pp. 45-46, states that on 31st May, 1798, he left Saintfield
to return to Belfast, but that he changed his plans and spent the night at Ballygowan. No
reason is given for the change of plan, but a deposition of Dickson's in the I.P.R.O. states
that when he arrived at Ballygowan there seemed to be a considerable commotion. He saw
a genteel young man come running out of a public house very drunk and with his nose cut.
On learning that the young man was a son of Dr. Birch, Dickson stayed with him till after
seven o'clock to prevent him fighting, and then brought him home.
Re: George - George was taken prisoner at Carlisle in the dress of a young lady accompanied by her mother and one of her sisters. I fancy he will be hanged
and he will be no great loss to the community at large. Only conceive his father, who is in the Yeomanry, fighting on one side and his- two sons on the other."

1797 - 10th. December - Stapylton, Colonel of the York Fencibles

1798 - Atherton, Lt.Col. John Joseph  - Took charge of British Troops stationed in Newtownards during the 1798 United irishmens Uprising.

1798 - Biers, John - A hosier and serjeant in the Newtown Musketry as part of the United Irishmens Uprising

1803 - Atkinson, Elizabeth of Portaferry - 28th. November 1803 aged 46 - Wife to Francis Savage of Newcastle an officer in the 89th. Foot

1822 - Ferguson, Hugh - 1822 ~ 1844 Served in 70th. Foot Regiment ... ? was 39 years old in 1844

Crimean War October 1853 ~ February 1856

McKeag, James - 2nd. February 1917 aged 84 - {b.c1833} - @ Ballywatticock - Husband to Jane - He was a veteran of the Crimean War

1859 - Stitt, Richard - April 1859 aged 85 - Retired 1st. Captain in the Newtownards Yeomanry - Buried at Ballee, Co.Down

1878 - Belt, John - 5th. August 1878 - A Quarter Master
28th. April 1879 - Letters of Administration of the personal estate of John Belt late of Newtownards County Down Quartermaster 80th Regiment deceased who died 5 August 1878 at Pietermaritzburg Natal were granted at Belfast to Bridget Belt of Newtownards the Widow of said deceased.

Bowen, Major J. - 1886 - Of 3rd. Battalion the Royal Irish Rifles was stationed at Newtownards.

Crimean War October 1853 ~ February 1856

This photo of a soldier in the Boer War hung on the landing wall of 86 Balfour St, and was referred to as uncle Willy, but I've never been able to discover who exactly he was.
Karen Moffat - More info on the Balfour Street Inhabitants Page - balfour-street-inhabitants.htm

1901 - Brown, Martin - 1901 Census aged 35 - Of 21 Balfour Street - Sergeant in the Royal irish Rifles

1901 - Burnett, George - 1901 Census aged 36 - Of 13 Castlereagh Street - Serjeant 3rd. Royal Irish Rifles

1901 - Clarke, Hamilton - 1901 Census aged 65 - Of 31 Thomas Street - Pensioner from the 31st.Lancers

1901 - Clarke, William - 1901 Census aged 63 of 25 William Street - Pensioner 2nd.Dragoon Guards

1901 - Francis, Edward - 1901 Census aged 59 of 47 Mark Street - Pensioner (Musician) 3rd.Royal Irish Rifles

1901 - Fulton, Hugh - 1901 Census aged 18 of 96 East Street - Private Royal Irish Rifles

1901 - Gorman, David - 1901 Census aged 18 also of 96 East Street - Private Royal irish Rifles

1901 - McCormick, Hugh - 1901 Census aged 57 of 28 Thomas Street - Pensioner 2nd.Shropshire Regiment

1901 - Pollock, David - 1901 Census of 4 Robert Street - Pensioner (Private) Lincolnshire Regiment

1901 - Sheppard, Frederick - 1901 Census aged 32 of 42 Victoria Avenue - Sgt. 31 Royal Irish Regiment

1901 - Parry, Charles - 1901 Census aged 40 - Born Birmingham, Warwickshire - Color Serjeant 3rd. R.I.R.

Morgan, Colour Serjeant John - 18th. December 1904 - Musketry Instructor with 3rd. Royal irish Rifles - H

1911 - DeLacy, George P. - 1911 Census aged 39 of 20 Victoria Avenue (b.Cape Colony, South Africa) - Color Sgt. 4th. P.S. Royal Irish Rifles

1911 - Morgan, Patrick Herbert - 1911 Census aged 20 of 9 Conway Square - Royal Irish Rifles

1911 - Morgan, Samuel - 1911 Census aged 20 of 9 Conway Square - Captain Royal Irish Rifles

1911 - Stevens, Charles - 1911 Census aged 36 of 44 William Street - Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles

1911 - Templeton, George - 1911 Census aged 41 of 6 Victoria Avenue - Infantry Lieutenant (Active List)

1911 - Trainor, Patrick - 1911 Census aged 43 of 43 Victoria Avenue - Sgt.Major (W.O.) Royal H. Rifles

1911 - Watson, John - 1911 Census aged 35 of 67 Balfour Street - Staff Color Sgt. Royal Irish Rifles