248080 Pte. James Connolly British Army 5th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers from:4 Coombe, Dublin (d.9th June 1918) James Connolly was born in 1887. The next record we have is the 1901 Census where he is a scholar at about 14years old. From his army papers we know he joined the Dublin militia at the age of 17 and he lived at 10 Nicholas Street with his family. His occupation is given as a messenger. 1911 shows he's about 24 and living at 4.6 Coombe, working as a general labourer. In 1908 he joins the army, his regimental number is 6080. He was 5ft 2' inch tall and weighed 110 lbs with blue eyes and brown hair. He joined the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
During his time in the army his disciplinary records show he was often absent from parade or assembly but presented himself later that morning or day. At one stage he was disciplined for creating a disturbance in camp about 10.40pm. He was admonished.
In late May or early June 1918 he was shot in the stomach in France. A correspondence from the Army is dated 5th June 1918 and addressed to Mrs E Connolly, 4 Coombe Dublin. It reads "Much regret to report 6080 Pte James Connolly Dublin Fus. dang. ill (Royal Dublin Fusiliers, dangerously ill) GSW abdomen at 2nd Cas. Clrg Stn (Casualty clearing station) France and Regret permission to visit him cannot be granted." Another dated 10th June 1918 reads "much regret to report 6080 Pte James Connolly dub fus condition unchanged at 2 cas clg stn france." The next letter reads "Deeply regret to report 6080 Pte James Connolly Dublin Fus. dead at 2 cas clg stn from wound abdomen 9th June."
He was granted three medals which are sent to his mother, 1914 Star, British War Medal and British Victory Medal. These three are often called Pip, Squeak and Wilfred. His mother was paid a pension of 9/ from the Army. On 28th November 1919 his mother received £18/10s from his belongings. He never married and died at the age of 31. James died 9th of June 1918 and is buried on 16th July at the Commonwealth Graveyard of Ebblinghem Cemetery in northern France.
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