When the “Ballymena Observer” reported on 3rd July 1914 the assassination on 28th June of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie while on a state visit to Sarajevo, no-one could have imagined how such an atrocity would lead within a few weeks to the outbreak of World War One. This conflict was one of the most sickening and costly of our time, affecting the lives of people in many countries across the world, and changed forever the lives of those in the small rural village of Cullybackey.
In the early twentieth century the main industries in Cullybackey and the surrounding area were agriculture and linen with mills situated close to the banks of the fast-flowing River Maine. Many left the area and went off to seek work in Scotland, Manchester and Newcastle. Others, seeking a new and hopefully better life immigrated to such places as Canada or America, but when war was declared on the 4th August 1914 against Germany many men, with a link to Cullybackey signed up to fight the enemy.
We have endeavoured to trace all those from Cullybackey and the surrounding area who signed up for war and to remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. In some cases, it has been difficult to find information on people and at times you will see variations in the spelling of someone’s surname, where it has been spelt differently in various documentation. If anyone has any further information about any of the people listed please let us know.
THOSE WHO SERVED FROM THE VALLEY OF THE MAINE IN WORLD WAR ONE