Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
ff
19123   Rifleman John Mayne
Save as PDF
Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 01/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (British Army)
Died: 01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age: 45
Summary      
John Mayne was the son of Eliza Mayne. He was born about 1871 in Cookstown. He served his time with Adair’s Mills in Cookstown. He and Sara Jane Reilly were married in 1896 Cookstown. They went on to have seven children. John spent fourteen years at Stevensons of Moygashel, Dungannon. He then worked in Martin’s in Rostrevor. John’s wife and family returned to Cookstown after enlistment. Rifleman John Mayne was serving with the 13th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916.
Rifleman John Mayne
Further Information
John Mayne was the son of Eliza Mayne. He was born about 1871 in Cookstown.
John Mayne served his time to the linen trade with Adair’s Mills, Greenvale, Cookstown.
Greenvale Mill, Cookstown
John Mayne and Sara Jane Reilly were married on 8th July 1896 in the district of Cookstown. They went on to have seven children.
Family: John Mayne, Sarah Jane Mayne, Hester M Mayne (born 25th April 1898, Dungannon), Sarah E Mayne (born 22nd April 1900, Dungannon), Matilda Mayne (born 27th April 1902, Dungannon), Annie Mayne (born 13th July 1904, Dungannon), Samuel Mayne (born 9th July 1906, Dungannon), Eveline Mayne (born 25th April 1911, Banbridge), John Mayne (born 29th December 1913, Rostrevor).
The first five children were all born in Dungannon, the last been born in 1906.
The 1901 census lists John as age 30, living with his family at house 9 in Benburb Town, County Tyrone. He was employed as a beetler.
John spent fourteen years at Stevensons of Moygashel, Dungannon.
The 1911 census lists John as age 39, living with his family at house 18 in Edenderry, Banbridge, County Down. He was a cloth finisher. His sixth child was born in Banbridge in 1911.
For several years prior to joining the army he was foreman finisher with Martin’s in Rostrevor. His seventh and final child was born in Rostrevor in 1913.
John Mayne enlisted in Newry. He was living in Rostrevor at the time.
Medal card
Private John Mayne
Rifleman Mayne was home on leave in February of 1916. The following piece was published in the Newry Telegraph when he returned:
‘Rostrevor people gave a most cordial welcome to Private John Mayne on his recent visit direct from the front trenches in France. He is a married man with wife and seven children. He was living happily and comfortably at the outbreak of war. He was not a reservist, but he heard the call and decided on doing his bit for the protection of the country, his wife and children, and at once joined the 13th Royal Irish Rifles, Ulster Division. Private Mayne is a splendid fellow and suggests the fellowship that exists among men at the front, who are determined to fight for their country, their women and children, and incidentally for the young slackers at home. A married man with a wife and seven children doing his duty! What about the single young men? What is keeping you back from joining the army? Married folk say you are afraid – are you?’
Soon after, John’s wife and family returned to Cookstown from Rostrevor. Sara Jane lived at Union Street, Cookstown. His mother, sisters and brothers lived in Church Street.
John’s eldest daughter, assumed to be Hester, found work in Mr Hugh McAdoo’s drapery department.
John had a sister employed as a forewoman in Hopper Brothers in Cookstown, in the dressmaking department. May Anna Mayne is described in the 1911 census as a dressmaker.
Rifleman John Mayne was serving with the 13th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st July 1916.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 19th August 1916: Private John Mayne
Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 19th August 1916:
Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 19th August 1916:
Private John Mayne, 13th Royal Irish Rifles, whose wife and family reside at Union Street, Cookstown, and who has been officially reported missing since 1st July. His sister, Miss Mayne, Church Street, has received a letter from Sergeant F A Dougan, of the R.I.R., which leaves no doubt but that Private Mayne has made the supreme sacrifice, The letter says:-
‘I feel it very hard to tell you that John was killed on 1st July, when our Division made the charge. He was in my section, but I did not see him fall. I was overcome with sorrow when I learned he had met his death. He was a fine fellow and held in high respect by everyone in the company. I was always with him since we joined the army, and found him one of the best – a good soldier and a fine chum. Let it comfort you to know that he died doing his duty, the noblest death one can die, and today he is with the Lord in Heaven.’
Private Mayne was a native of Cookstown. His mother, sisters and brothers reside in Church Street, a sister being a forewoman in Messrs Hopper Bros. Dressmaking Department. He served his time to the linen trade with Messrs Adair, after which he was for 14 years in the firm of Messrs Stevenson, Moygashel, Dungannon. For several years prior to enlistment, he was foreman finisher with Messrs Martin, Rostrevor, and from there he answered the call of King and country on the formation of the Ulster Division.
The last time he was home on furlough was on February last, when the Newry Telegraph had the following notice regarding him.
‘Rostrevor people gave a most cordial welcome to Private John Mayne on his recent visit direct from the front trenches in France. He is a married man with wife and seven children. He was living happily and comfortably at the outbreak of war. He was not a reservist, but he heard the call and decided on doing his bit for the protection of the country, his wife and children, and at once joined the 13th Royal Irish Rifles, Ulster Division. Private Mayne is a splendid fellow and suggests the fellowship that exists among men at the front, who are determined to fight for their country, their women and children, and incidentally for the young slackers at home. A married man with a wife and seven children doing his duty! What about the single young men? What is keeping you back from joining the army? Married folk say you are afraid – are you?’
The late Private Mayne’s wife and family recently returned to Cookstown, where the elder daughter is employed by Mr Hugh McAdoo’s drapery establishment. Everyone who knew him will greatly regret to learn of his death, and the greatest sympathy will be felt for his sorrowing wife and children, as well as his mother and other relatives.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 24 August 1916:
Tyrone Courier dated 24 August 1916:
Private John Mayne, Irish Rifles, whose wife and family reside in Cookstown, has officially been reported missing since 1st July. He was 14 years in the firm of Messrs. Stevenson, Moygashel, Dungannon, and for several years prior to enlistment he was a foreman finisher with Messrs Martin, Rostrevor.
Rifleman John Mayne is buried in Mill Road Cemetery at Thiepval in France.
Rifleman John Mayne is commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph and First Presbyterian Roll of Honour, Cookstown.
The CWGC record Rifleman John Mayne as the husband of Sarah J Mayne of 46 Union Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone.
Read more
Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Union Street Cookstown Central CWGC lists wife in Union Street 54.647335 -6.741822
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Mayne family Does not list John as living with the family at house 49 in Church St, Cookstown, Tyrone
2 1901 Census lists Mayne family Lists John as age 30 living with his family at house 9 in Benburb Town, Tyrone
3 1911 Census lists Mayne family Does not list John as living with the family at house 100 in Church Street, Cookstown, Tyrone
4 1911 Census lists Mayne family Lists John as age 39? living with his family at house 18 in Edenderry, Banbridge Rural, Down
5 Dungannon War Dead Also listed on Dungannon War Dead
6 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023