Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Memorial: | La Neuville British Cemetery Corbie | II. D. 46. | |
| 2. Book: | The (1921) Masonic Roll of Honour 1914-1918 | Pg.129 | |
Awards & Titles: | |||
Family :
Eldest son of James J. and Mary Mahon, of Brentwood, 77, Seabank Rd., Liscard, Wallasey, Cheshire.Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: 1/8 The King's (Liverpool Regiment) |
1/8th (Irish) Battalion August 1914 : in Shaw St, Liverpool. Part of Liverpool Brigade, West Lancashire Division. February 1915 : transferred to North Lancashire Brigade. 18 April 1915 : transferred with Brigade to Highland Division; brigade retitled as 3rd Highland Brigade. 3 May 1915 : landed at Boulogne. 12 May 1915 : new titles adopted: 154th Brigade, 51st (Highland) Division. 17 January 1916 : transferred to 165th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division. 31 January 1918 : transferred to 171st Brigade, 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division |
| Action : The Battles of the Somme 1916 |
The Battle of the Somme 1st July - 18th November 1916 is inevitably characterised by the appalling casualties (60,000) on the first day, July 1st 1916. Having failed to break through the German lines in force, and also failed to maximise opportunities where success was achieved, the battle became a series of attritional assaults on well defended defence in depth. The battle continued officially until 18th November 1916 costing almost 500,000 British casualties. German casualties were about the same, and French about 200,000. The Somme could not be counted a success in terms of ground gained or the cost, but it had a strategic impact as it marked the start of the decline of the German Army. Never again would it be as effective whilst the British Army, learning from its experience eventually grew stronger to become a war winning army. The German High Command recognised that it could never again fight another Somme, a view that advanced the decision to invoke unrestricted submarine warfare in an attempt to starve Britain of food and material, and in doing so accelerated the United States declaration of war thus guaranteeing the eventual outcome. 287 Brethren were killed on the Somme in 1916.
Detail :
Probate MAHON James Harold of Brentwood 85 Sea Bank-road Wallasey Cheshire died 13 September 1916 in France on active service Probate London 13 January to Mary Mahon (wife of James Joseph Mahon). Effects £480 13s. 5d.
News Report Unknown date & source: "We regret to record the death, on September 13th, from wounds of Captain James Harold Mahon, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment. The gallant captain had been in the midst of the recent fighting, but information is not yet forthcoming as to the nature of his injuries. HE was an able and fearless leader, and was loved and respected by all ranks. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs James Mahon, of Brentwood, Seabank Road, Wallasey"
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Wallasey No. 3036 E.C. | Cheshire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
1st February 1912 | 12th April 1912 | 4th October 1912 |
Listed as a 23 year old Clerk from Liscard, Cheshire in 1912 at the time of initiation. The contribution record shows war service and it is closed out with "Died of wounds 13.9.16."
Steward
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley