Richard Cawley

Died of Dysentery on the 08/06/1916 in a Hospital in Iraq

The Battalion served on the Western Front until leaving France on the 11/12/1915, whereupon it moved to Mesopotamia (Iraq). The Battalion arrived at Basra on the 10/01/1916 and were part of the 7th (Ferozepore) Brigade, 3rd (Lahore) Division. Their movement from France began on the 8th December 1915. Headquarters was established on the 16th January 1916 and they came under orders of the Tigris Corps, but the urgency of the need to relieve the 6th (Poona) Division which was besieged at Kut-al-Amara led to the units of the Division being committed piecemeal as they arrived. It was not until mid-February 1916 until the full command structure of the Division was once again operational. In 1916 the Division fought at the following : 21st January - the first attack on the Hanna (7th and 9th Brigades only), 8th March - Attack on the Dujaila Redoubt, 17th-18th April - Action of Bait Aisa. The Division then remained in the Mesopotamia theatre for the rest of the war. Newspaper clippings state Richard COWLEY and give the 09/06/1915 France as date and place of death. Richard is also remembered on the St. Patrick's Roll of Honour. See photos for Richard's Medal Index Card, Newspaper clippings x 3, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects x 2 (2nd one has COWLEY as surname), his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 3, Basra War Cemetery and Memorial, the Connaught Rangers Cap Badge, Richard's Pension Records x 3, the CWGC Iraq Roll of Honour x 4, Richard's name in the CWGC Iraq Roll of Honour, his Headstone Report, his name on the Basra Memorial Panel List and Richard's listing in the Ireland Casualties WW1. Also see photos for Richard's Birth Certificate, his Baptismal Certificate x 2, Richard remembered at the Co. Sligo Great War Memorial Garden x 3 and the Memorial Garden which was officially unveiled on the 28th April 2023 x 5. Many thanks to Simone and the Lest Sligo Forgets team for information regarding Richard and making sure that Co. Sligo's brave men are always remembered. Finally, see photos for Newspaper clippings x 3 (Coatbridge Express x 1, Coatbridge Leader x 1 and Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser x 1).