Fred O'Melia (c.1889-1916)

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An ongoing project to commemorate and research the lives of those who appear on war memorials and rolls of honour in the local area, who served in the military, or whose deaths were linked to conflict.
Fred O'Melia

Biography

Fred O'Melia was born in Holmfirth, the son of Winifred O'Melia and the grandson of Irish rag sorter Timothy O'Melia.

At the time of the 1891 Census, the family was living at Norridge, Upperthong. Winifred died in 1908, aged 46.

His cousins James William O'Melia and Harry O'Melia also fought and died in the First World War.

Huddersfield's Roll of Honour: 1914-1922

The following extract is from Huddersfield's Roll of Honour: 1914-1922 (2014) by J. Margaret Stansfield:

O'MELIA, FRED. Lance Corporal. No 2939. 1/5th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment. Born Upperthong, Holmfirth. Husband of Mrs O'Melia, Crown Bottom, Holmfirth. Was a member of a well known Irish family who had lived in the Holmfirth area for over a generation. Educated Holmfirth Wesleyan Day School. Employed in the moulding shop of Messrs J. and J. W. Longbottom, Bridge Foundry, Holmfirth. Enlisted at the outbreak of the war. Went into training at Riby Camp and Doncaster. Wounded in the abdomen in the attack on the Schwaben Redoubt on 3.9.1916. Died of wounds at No 23 General Hospital, 9.9.1916, aged 27 years. Buried ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY. Grave location:- Plot 10, Row C, Grave 13.
ROH:- Holmfirth War Memorial; Huddersfield Drill Hall.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

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