John James Mulhill

John was born c.1891 in Monadarragh and enlisted in Co. Galway. He was a brother of Pte Arthur Mulihill, who died on 15 March 1917.

The following letter, informing John's father of his death was published in the Longford Leader on the 5 August 1916:

"Dear Mr. Mulhill, in case the official announcement of the loss which our Battery has sustained has not yet reached you, I am writing to tell you of the death of your son. I know well what this will mean to you, and we one and all sympathise with you in this very sad news. He was killed in the Battery with many others of our fellows, at about 12.30p.m., July 14th, by enemy shell fire and death was instantaneous.

As officer in charge of his section ever since we came out here, I had learnt to know him well. His good qualities soon earned him a second stripe. His continual cheerfulness, his energy and constant desire to carry out his duties promptly and successfully were a great help to us. We all feel the loss deeply. We buried him yesterday in a quiet little cemetery just outside the town and there he rests with ten of his comrades killed at the same time. His grave is covered with flowers gathered by his friends and at its head is a wooden cross. The knowledge that he died in the service of his country must be a great comfort to you. We took the liberty of opening your letter, enclosed, in order to obtain your address:-

Yours sincerely, H.M. Bennett, Lieut., 41st Siege Battery, R.G.A. 16th July, 1916.

Link to CWGC entry; Link to Longford Leader, 5 August 1916;