Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
ff
20815   Private Joseph Mitchell
Save as PDF
Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 01/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 18/06/1892
Died: 07/06/1917 (Killed in Action)
Age: 24
Summary      
Joseph Mitchell was the son of Thomas and Hannah Mitchell. Joseph was born in Tamlaght, Co. Tyrone on 18th June 1892. Like his father, Joseph was a general labourer. Joseph Mitchell enlisted in Randalstown. Private Joseph Mitchell was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action at the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917.
Further Information
Joseph Mitchell was the second son of Thomas and Hannah Mitchell. Thomas Mitchell married Hannah Taylor on 5th October 1889 in the district of Cookstown.
Joseph was born in Tamlaght, Co. Tyrone on 18th June 1892. He was the second of seven children.
Great George's Street, Coagh
The 1901 census lists Joseph as age 9 living with the family at house 39 in Great Georges Street, Coagh. His father Thomas Mitchell was a labourer in a creamery.
Family: Thomas Mitchell, Hannah Mitchell, Robert Mitchell (born 4th July 1890), Joseph Mitchell (born 18th June 1892), William Thomas Mitchell (born 13th September 1894), David Mitchell (born 4th May 1897), Margaret Mitchell (born 23rd August 1899), George Mitchell (born 3rd February 1902), Mary Mitchell (born 10th August 1904).
The 1911 census lists Joseph as age 19 living with the family at house 27 in Urbal, Coagh. Like his father he was working as a general labourer.
Joseph Mitchell enlisted in Randalstown.
Medal card
1915
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 22nd May 1915:
Mr and Mrs John Mitchell, Coagh, have given four sons to serve their King and country. Mr and Mrs Thomas Mitchell come second with three sons in the Ulster Division. Altogether since the beginning, Coagh and district is nobly responding to the call.
1916
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 4th March 1916:
Newspaper Report
Private Joe Mitchell, Coagh, writing from the trenches in France, on 15th February, says that all the Coagh boys there are well and glad to hear that other neighbours have joined the 12th Battalion. Troubles are part of the day’s work, but they keep in good spirits and are willing to give their lives if need be in the fray that is the affair of the whole British Empire. Private Currie joined his company a few days ago and is well. The weather is wet and cold and no one could realise the situation unless in it. They are supplied with warm clothing, and a stout heart, and are of good courage, believing victory is on their side, hoping one day to see the Huns tripping over the sod on the way to Berlin. Gifts from home reach them safely and fill them with gratitude .that they are not forgotten and he is proud of his little village which has done so well. Every man fit for service should join.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 5th April 1916:
Private J Mitchell, 20815, gas poisoning, Coagh, Tyrone
From the Tyrone Constitution dated 7th April 1916:
20815 Private J Mitchell, No 2 Company, gas poisoning, 11th March 1916. His mother (Mrs Annie Mitchell), resides at Coagh, Tyrone.
22518 Private D Mitchell, No 2 Company, wounded by rifle grenade on 28th March 1916. Private Mitchell’s mother (Mrs Annie Mitchell), resides at Coagh, Tyrone
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 8th April 1916:
The following other casualties have been reported: Private J Mitchell, gas poisoning. His mother resides in Coagh
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 26th August 1916: Coagh (to be confirmed)
Private Joey and David Mitchell, sons of Mr Thomas Mitchell, Coagh, have been home on a week’s leave. They were both wounded in action, but are now all right. They returned to their units on Monday.
1917
Private Joseph Mitchell was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action at the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917. He was 25 years old.
Private Joseph Mitchell’s younger brother also died in the war. Sergeant William T Mitchell was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on Saturday 9th September 1916.
1918
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 27th April 1918: Hannah Mitchell (mother of Joseph Mitchell)
MITCHELL – 17th April, at her husband’s residence, Coagh, County Tyrone, Hannah, beloved wife of Thomas Mitchell. Interred in Tamlaght Churchyard on Sunday afternoon.
‘We often think of days gone by when we were all together;
A shadow over our life is cast, our mother gone forever.
‘We often think of days gone by when we were all together;
A shadow over our life is cast, our mother gone forever.
Remembered by her sorrowing husband and family, one of the latter on active service, Coagh, County Tyrone
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 8th June 1918:
MITCHELL - Killed in action in France, 7th June 1917, Private Joseph Mitchell, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, second son of Thomas Mitchell, Cough, County Tyrone.
'He fell at his post like a soldier brave
He answered his Master’s call
He sleeps far away in a hero’s grave
For his country’s cause he did fall
Far away from all who loved him,
The soldiers gently laid him to rest
In the low grave he lies sleeping
One of God’s brightest and best.'
Ever remembered by the ladies of Coagh Dancing Class, Coagh
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 8th June 1918:
MITCHELL - Killed in action in France, 7th June 1917, Private Joseph Mitchell, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, second son of Thomas Mitchell, Cough, County Tyrone.
'We submit to our God who did give us the lend
Of the child who now from us is taken again
For we know that in love He has taken our son
Away from Life’s sorrow and evil to come
Soon from times changing scene we shall follow him home
At the bright city’s gate he will watch till we come
In the home of the Saviour we shall meet with our boy
And we know he will greet us with fullness of joy'
Deeply regretted by his sorrowing father, sisters and brothers, one of the latter on active service.
Memorials
Private Joseph Mitchell is buried in Wytschaete Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Joseph Mitchell grave
The following verse was submitted by his father to the Mid Ulster Mail on the anniversary of his death:
Read more
Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Great Georges Street, Coagh Coagh Census listing in Great Georges Street, Coagh 54.647662 -6.617662
2 Urbal, Coagh Coagh Census listing in Urbal 54.646244 -6.620120
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Mitchell family 1901 census lists Joseph as age 9 at house 39 in Great Georges Street, Coagh
2 1911 Census lists Mitchell family 1911 census lists Joseph as age 19 at house 27 in Urbal, Coagh
3 FindAGrave.com Photo of Private Joseph Mitchell's grave
4 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here (No 20315)
5 Sergeant William T Mitchell Brother of Private Joseph Mitchell
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private Joseph Mitchell's grave can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023