Newspaper photo courtesy of Nigel Henderson https://sites.google.com/site/greatwarbelfast/home
Lieutenant Paul O’Kane
was born at Ballycastle on 1st March 1895 to Joseph Patrick O'Kane, Merchant Tailor and Catherine O'Kane nee Laverty.
In 1901 Paul (6) was living in house 18, Castle Street, Ballycastle with his parents and 7 siblings; Daniel (14), Mary (13), Joseph P (11), James (9), Kathleen (8), Fannie (3) and Annie (2). A servant, Sarah Stewart was also in the property.
By 1911 Paul was living in house 19, Castle Street, Ballycastle with his parents and 4 of his siblings; Joseph P, Fannie, Annie and John Malachy (8). A servant, Bella Gillen was also in the house.
Paul would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1912 / 1913. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee. He is recorded as working in Newry branch.
Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet
Photo courtesy of Newry History Tour Facebook group (via John Henning)
Following the start of the war, Paul volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles. Paul's first theatre of war is recorded as France from 29th December 1916. His address is recorded on his Medal Index Card as 35 Cliftonville Road, Belfast.
Paul O'Kane - Medal Index Card
The London Gazette dated 28th June 1916 records P O'Kane as being confirmed in his rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
Lt. O’Kane was serving with 4th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and was attached to 1st Bn. Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action on 21st March 1918 aged 23.
The Belfast News Letter of 25th March 1918 reports:
The Glen is highlighted on this map of the Limestone Road area of Belfast. The former Limestone Railway can be seen between The Glen and the Limestone Road.
Thanks to Richard Graham for this map.
The London Gazette dated 18th May 1918 records P O'Kane as being promoted to Lieutenant as of 1st July 1916 with a note that he had 'since died of wounds'.
Paul is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France. Immediately below his name is an inscription of a famous Comber Victoria Cross holder – Edwin de Wind VC.
O'Kane is also remembered on the Ballycastle War Memorial. He is also recorded on the find a grave website.
Courtesy Nigel Henderson and Jacqueline Haugseng, I was sent a photo of the family grave in the Saints Patrick and Bridget Roman Catholic Cemetery in Ballycastle. The gravestone bears an inscription to Lt. Paul O'Kane.
Paul is also remembered on the Commonwealth War Graves and on Ireland's World War 1 Casualties
A Pension Card is held for Paul:
Excerpts of email received:
ReplyDeleteDear Gavin,
I was very surprised to find a reference along with a photo I have never seen of Paul O'Kane from Ballycastle on your blogspot.
It was a lovely thing to do this site, very honourable. I read why you did it. I haven't looked at everything but what I have seen is impressive, you've clearly put a lot of work into it.
Thanks Gavin. Really interesting to read of my namesake Paul O'Kane.
ReplyDeleteThanks
ReplyDeleteRegards Paul O'Kane
Gavin, thanks so much for this research. This is my Dad's uncle and I knew that he had served and died in the war. I didn't know that he had worked in the Bank. My brother is also called Paul O'Kane.
ReplyDelete