IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
The Mill Village, NEWTOWNARDS, BT23 5GR

See Image This is the former Andrews mill, now being converted to apartments.

See Image This is the imposing entrance to the premises.

The weathervane on the former Andrews Mill Image

The chimney (now disused) at the former Andrews Mill Image, now apartments.

See Image The other side of the street. The former Andrews Mill Image is in the background. The railings (bottom right) are on the bridge across the bypass Image

The large building in the distance is a former linen mill, now converted to housing. In the foreground is the bridge over the by-pass.

Andrews Spinning Mill War Memorial Plaque. Comber, Northern Ireland. Located on a wall of the mill where he worked on the Ballygowan Road, Comber. Pro Patria In affectionate remembrance of those gallant men belonging to this mill who made the supreme sacrifice in The Great War 1914 1918. Sergeant 17314 William John BROWN. B Coy, 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Son of Robert and Margaret Jane Brown, of Millview Cottage, Comber, County Down, Ireland. 1911 residing with his parents and siblings at High Street, Comber. Occupation, factory worker. Died in action 26 June 1916 aged 20. Note, CWGC have his as Lance Sergeant. His father was granted a war gratuity 2 April 1917 revised 25 October 1919 At rest in Authuile Military Cemetery, Authuille, France. Lance Corporal 18434 Robert Henry MARSHALL. B Coy, 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 12 June 1894 at Ballyclare, County Antrim to Adam and Isabella Marshall nee McQuillan. 1901 Residing with his parents and siblings at 12 Coggery, Ballyclare, County Antrim 1911 with his parents and siblings at Brownlow Street, Comber County Down. Occupation aged 16 Set Boy in Andrew’s spinning mill, Comber. Died 14 February 1917 in Belgium His father was granted a war gratuity 25 June 1917. His mother was granted a war gratuity 29 November 1919. At rest in St. Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery, Belgium. Memorial shows the rank of Corporal Lance Corporal 17832 John Alexander HARE. 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 1897 to James and Margaret Anna Hare, nee Snodden of Killinchy Street, Comber, County Down. 1901 residing with his parents and sister at 91 Magherascouse, Ballygowan, County Down 1911 with his parents and siblings at 18 Killinchy Street, Comber, County Down. Killed in action 16 August 1917 aged 20. Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Private GS/67491 Archibald Edward CAMPBELL. 2/22 London Regiment Royal Fusiliers Born at Carnasure Co Down 27 August 1898 as Edward to Archibald and Ellen Campbell nee Hewitt of 28 Railway Street, Comber. Employed at the spinning mills of Messrs John Andrews Company Ltd, Comber 1911 with his widowed mother and siblings at 62 Railway Street, Comber. Occupation aged 12, mill boy in the employ of Messrs John Andrews Co, Ltd, Comber spinning mill. Killed in action as Archibald Edward Campbell 18 September 1917 aged 19 in Belgium. His mother was granted a war gratuity 2 March 1918 revised 8 December 1919. He is not registered with the CWGC Private (Rifleman) 18959 Samuel DONALDSON. B Coy, 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 17 July 1894 to John and Mary Donaldson, nee Potts of Ballyloughan, Comber, County Down. Killed in action at the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916 aged 21. His mother was granted a war gratuity 23 November 1917, revised 3 November 1919. His brothers, James, Rifleman 18960 and John, Rifleman 18958 served with him and died the same day in the same battle. James was aged 23, John 26 Commemorated along with his brothers, on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Rifleman 13/17617 James FINLAY. 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born at Comber to Francis (Frank) and Catherine Finlay. Husband of Elizabeth Finlay, of 4, High Street, Comber. He first enlisted at Omagh 28 April 1890 aged 18, posted as Private 3189, to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers depot. Occupation prior to enlistment, clerk and previously served for 5 days with the 4th Royal Irish Rifles. 4 December 1891 he was posted to the 2nd battalion. Overseas postings - India 11 December 1891 to 23 March 1898. South Africa 3 November 1899 to 8 October 1901 and again 2 June 1902 to 29 September 1902. Returned to regimental depot where he was discharged at Dublin to the army reserve 30 September 1902 after 12 years and 156 days service. Re-joined at Comber aged 43 17 September 1914 into the Royal Irish Rifles and posted as Private 17617 Clandeboye Training Camp, Banger, County Down, Ireland. Promoted to sergeant the following day. After he had completed his training he was posted to France 3 October 1915. 20 October 1915 he was tried by Field General Court Martial for the offence of drunkenness at Saint-Gratien, a suburb of Paris, on 10 October 1915 which was witnessed by a sergeant and captain of his regiment. He was reduced to the rank, which was confirmed by the G.O.C of 108th Brigade the same day. He was previously reprimanded on O C Orders 15 October 1915 at Saint-Gratien for urinating in a place not a latrine, witnessed by Captain Bruce 13 October. 9 December 1915 he was taken 10th Field Ambulance having recovered from being buried for several hours following a shell explosion near him. 5 January 1916 he was transferred to 30th Casualty Clearing Station. 11 January 1916 transferred to 3rd Stationary Hospital, Rouen. 22 June 1916 admitted into 7th Canadian Stationary Hospital where he was diagnosed with aphasia (an inability to comprehend or formulate language and hemiplegia (paralysis). 24 June 1916 he was invalided from La- Havre to England on Hospital Ship Lanfranc where he was admitted into Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley, London On a Medical Board at Netley 8 December 1916. His disability – aphasia and hemiplegia right side and right arm paralysed as the result of active service Report of Medial Board dated 8 December 1916 - In action May 1916 in France. Cannot speak or write but he made syns (as written down) that he received concussion from an explosion of shell and was buried several hours. Only word he can use is ‘Yes’. He knows what is said to him. Right side paralysed and arm completely so and leg to less extent. Cannot walk without support. Due to shell shock on active, Permanent. Total incapacity. Discharged from the army 29 December 1916 as being no longer physically fit for war service. He died from apoplexy 19 January 1919 aged 49. His widow was granted a war gratuity 30 September 1919. At rest in Comber Cemetery, County Down Rifleman 17637 Thomas James FISHER. 13 Royal Irish Rifles. Born 25 July 1897 to Robert James and Isabella Fisher, nee Ferguson of High Street, Comber. 1901 with his parents and siblings at his grandparents James and Jane Ferguson home, 42 High Street, Comber 1911 with his widowed father and siblings still with his grandparents then at 20 High Street, Comber. Enlisted at Comber aged 19 years and 2 months 17 September 1914. Embarked for France 30 October 1915 and returned to England 28 September 1916. Embarked to France 17 March 1917 disembarked the following day and marched into No 36 Infantry Base Depot to await dispersal to his unit. 14 April 1917 joined his unit in the field. At some unknown date he reported sick and was invalided to Grove (Fever) Military Hospital, Tooting. 28 October 1917 he was placed on the “Dangerously ill” list, his next of kin was informed. The following day, 29 October 1917, he died at 11.50 am of tubercle of lung, gangrene aged 20. His father was granted a war gratuity 16 April 1918, revised 18 November 1919. At rest in Comber Cemetery, County Down. Private 27524 James GABBEY 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Born 24 August 1890 at 18 Mackay Street, Belfast to James and Sarah Jane Gabbey, nee English. Sometime later the family moved to Railway Street, Comber, County Down. 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 37 Railway Street, Comber. 1911 with his widowed father and siblings at 60 Railway Street, Comber, occupation, unemployed. Died 20 October 1918 aged 27. His father was granted a war gratuity 27 May 1919. At rest in Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Belgium. Memorial has GABBIE, birth surname GABBEY Rifleman 115 David John Milliken GAMBLE. 12th Royal Irish Rifles. 14 May 1899 to Robert and Sarah Gamble nee Mullan of 15 McConnells Row, Comber and later of 4, Brownlow Street, Comber, Co. Down, Ireland. 1901 with his parents and siblings at 15 McConnells Row, Comber. 1911 with his parents and siblings at 47 Mill Street, Comber. Died in action 8 July 1916 aged 17. His mother was granted a war gratuity 21 June 1917, revised 7 October 1919. At rest in Caudry Old Communal Cemetery, France Private 513447 Alexander GLOVER. 889th Area Employment Coy. Labour Corps. formerly Rifleman G/695 16th Royal Irish Rifles Born 15 August 1894 to Alexander and Agnes Glover nee Mullan of 47 Castle Street, Comber, Co. Down, Ireland. 1901 with his parents and siblings at 47 Castle Street, Comber. 1911 with his parents and siblings at 9 Castle Street. Occupation, Oiler Discharged to class Z Army Reserve 6 March 1919 Died 9 February 1919 from pneumonia at his home in Comber. His father was granted a war gratuity 11 February 1920. At rest in Comber Cemetery, Co. Down. Some notes from what remains of his army record. He enlisted on the 12th January 1915, embarked for France from Southampton on the 2nd October 1915. He was slightly wounded on the 4th July 1916. he received a gunshot wound to his right hand. He was treated at 110st Field Ambulance then at 11th Casualty Clearing Station at Harve. He was discharged fit for duty and re-joined his battalion on the 30th July 1916 Rifleman 6321 James MORRISON. 16th Royal Irish Rifles. Son of George and Eliza J. Morrison, of Lisbane, Comber, County Down. Killed in action 29 June 1916 aged 18. His father was granted a war gratuity 18 December 1916, revised 28 October 1919 Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Rifleman 18521 Alexander MULLAN. 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Son of James and Eliza. Killed at the battle of the Somme 1 July 1916. His father was granted a war gratuity 7 June 1917. His widowed mother was granted a war gratuity 27 November 1919. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Rifleman 18302 John McILVEEN. 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Son of Joseph McIlveen His mother died at unknown date his father remarried to Jane, and they resided at Railway Street, Comber, County Down 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 20, Hille Head, Comber and in 1911 were living at 14, Railway Street, Comber Died at the battle of the Somme 1 July 1916. His father was granted a war gratuity 11 December 1916. His stepmother, Jane, was granted a war gratuity 29 December 1919, revised 18 March 1920. At rest in Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery, Somme, France. His brother William also fell. Rifleman 18303 William Hewitt McILVEEN. 22nd Entrenching Bn, formerly 11th/13th Royal Irish Rifles. Son of Joseph McIlveen. His mother died at unknown date his father remarried to Jane, and they resided at Railway Street, Comber, County Down 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 20, Hille Head, Comber and in 1911 were living at 14, Railway Street, Comber Killed in action 29 March 1918 aged 22. His stepmother, Jane, was granted a war gratuity 15 March 1920. Commemorated on the Poziers Memorial, France. His brother John also fell Rifleman 13/18622 James PATTON. 22nd Entrenching Bn formerly 11th/13th Royal Irish Rifles attached to 1st/1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps. Born 28 April 1892 at Crescent Comber to David and Jane Patton nee Allen. Married Annie Glover at Dundonald Church, County Down 12 February 1915. At the time of his marriage he was a private stationed under canvas at Clendeboye Estate Army Training Camp, Bangor. Enlisted at Newtownards both of county Down, Ireland Died of wounds 29 March 1918. His widow Annie was granted a war gratuity 11 September 1918, revised 25 November 1919 and 19 December 1919 Commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France. Rifleman 18802 David SMYTH. 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 3 November 1889 at High Street, Comber to David and Elizabeth Smyth, nee Dickson. Killed in action at the battle of the Somme, France. His father was granted a war gratuity 3 December 1917 but he gave a written request 7 June 1918 that it be given to his wife. His mother received the war gratuity 7 June 1918, revised 21 October 1919. Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Rifleman 18803 David John SMYTH. B Coy, 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born as David John Smyth 22 August 1897 at Bridge Street to Hugh and Isabella Smyth, nee Rea of Bridge St. Comber, County Down. When his birth was registered his mother called herself Bella. His parents were married 6 April 1895 at Dundonald, Belfast as Hugh Smith and Annabella Rea. 1901 (surname Smith) residing with parents and siblings at 24 Bridge Street, Comber. 1911 now at 23 Bridge Street with his parents and siblings. Killed in action at the battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916 aged 19. His father was granted a war gratuity 11 December 1917 revised 22 December 1919 Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Rifleman 18786 John Dickson SMYTH. 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born 28 April 1896 at High Street Comber County Down to David and Elizabeth Smyth, nee Dickson. 1901 residing with his parents and siblings at 15 Rongcreevy, Comber, County Down. 1911 resising at number 12, (Farm) same address. Occupation, farmers son. At the time of his death his parents were residing at 49, Beersbridge Road, Belfast, Ireland. Died 6 August 1917 aged 21. His mother was granted a war gratuity 7 June 1918 revised 25 March 1920. At rest in Potijze Chateau Grounds Cemetery, Belgium. Rifleman 18824 William John THOMPSON. B Coy 13th Royal Irish Rifles. Born at Magherascouse County Down 10 February 1893 to John and Mary Thompson, nee Jackson later of High Street, Comber, County Down. 1901 with his parents and siblings at 7 Magherascouse, Ballygowan. 1911 residing with his aunt and uncle, William and Agnes Kielty at 75 High Street, Comber, Died of wounds 30 May 1916 aged 22. His father was granted a war gratuity 15 March 1917 revised 8 September 1919. At rest in Forceville Communal Cemetery and Extension, France.

See Image Houses under construction beside Railway Street.

Former mill houses Image in High Street.

Hall, on the Ballygowan Road. Erected in 1914 in memory of Thomas Andrews the locally-born designer of the “Titanic” Image and Image Continue to Image