Patrick Berrigan

Patrick was born in Co. Longford, possibly Granard. It is uncertain when he was born, as different ages were given on different attestments. One age on his 1914 attestment suggests he was born c. May 1880, whilst on the dischage for the same record a birth date of c. 20 March 1864 is given; his 1915 attestation to the Royal Engineers gives a birth year of c.1869. He and his siblings went on to Scotland and England. Patrick lived in Birkenshaw, outside Glasgow, with his sister, Margaret Cronin and her family; at least one son, Thomas, served in the 2/6th Scottish Rifles, (No. 2818/ Chelsea No., 46928) and the Kings Own Scottish Borders, No. 7804. for a period during WW1.

Patrick first enlisted with the Special Reserve of the on the 2 September 1914, No. 7803 with the Royal Scots, and was posted with the 10th (Service) Battalion of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), No. 14062. He served with them for 48 days before being discharged in October 1914. He reenlisted for War Service as a Pioneer with the Royal Engineers Labour Corps in Whitehall, London and went to the front on the 28 August 1915, for which he was awarded the 1914-15 Star medal. In this enlistment, he gave a different address and age, (born c. May 1869) in his attestment, but presented his sister Margaret Cronin - living at the same address - as his next-of-kin. Interestingly, while on his first attestment, Patrick noted that he served with the Longford Militia for one year, but was discharged on health grounds; no mention was made of any prior military service on the 1915 attestment.

Mrs. Margaret Cronin died c.1916, after which his next-of-kin was his youngest niece, also called Margaret Cronin. He did not write a will, (link below), but the terms of his wishes were set out by his friend, who would write his correspondence for him.

Link to CWGC entry; Link to Soldier's Will; link to Royal Engineers attestation form, 1915 (viewable at Longford Library branches only); Lives of the First World War entry;