Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Date Information
11/08/2018 A popular wedding took place on Tuesday morning in Tamlaght Parish Church, the contracting parties being Private Samuel Rice, 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Randalstown Camp, and Mrs Mary Kempton, widow of the late Henry Kempton, Coagh, County Tyrone. The best man was Mr James Kempton, Coagh, and the bridesmaid was Miss Bella Hudson, Coagh. The party drove to Castledawson and spemt a very pleasant day, and at night returned to the home of the bride, where the reception was held. A large number of their friends awaited their return, and after supper had been served by Miss Anne Loughran, Miss Mary Creighton and Miss Maggie Hagan, a really enjoyable hour followed. The following contributed songs etc., Mr Thomas Young, Mr bob Hagan, Mr Charles Cowden. Mr Thompson gave a couple of recitations, and Mr James Smith gave a step dance, the music being supplied by Mr H M McCorkell, Coagh. After all wishing the pair future good luck, the merry party broke up at midnight.
11/08/2018
11/08/2018 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 1st May 1915: Coagh
30/12/2015 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 2nd September 1916:
30/12/2015 Samuel Rice married Mrs Mary Kempton, the wife of the late Henry Kempton of Urbal, Coagh, on 20 April 1915
30/12/2015 Private Rice had been training and based at Randalstown Camp at the time of his marriage.
30/12/2015 He was home on leave from France in February 1916. This came shortly after spending a couple of months in hospital at Brompton and Liverpool as a result of a discharge from his ears that appeared after an enemy bombardment. He was by this time partially deaf.
30/12/2015 He is commemorated on Coagh War Memorial a having died in the First World War. No other details are available.
30/12/2015 From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 5th February 1916:
30/12/2015 Private Samuel Rice served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
30/12/2015 Private Samuel Rice, Coagh, is at present on furlough with his wife and family. He joined the Ulster Division soon after its formation and was trained at Randalstown and went out with his battalion, the 9th Inniskillings. He spent a few weeks in the trenches and as the result of an incessant bombardment by heavy artillery in his vicinity he developed ear trouble, which necessitated his being invalided. For the past two months he has been in hospitals in Brompton and Liverpool. The discharge from his ears has abated and while still somewhat deaf, he hopes to be completely recovered soon. He speaks with enthusiasm of the treatment given to the sick and wounded in the hospitals.
30/12/2015
30/12/2015 Privates Sam Rice, Patrick Higgins and James Mitchell, of the Inniskillings, are at home with their friends in Coagh this week on leave.
30/12/2015
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