In memoriam
Private James Talbot
James Talbot was born (named Robert James) on 27 March 1894 at Drumgarkin, Cootehill, Monaghan, the second of five children of farmer William Talbot and his wife Ellen (nee Coulson). He grew up at his family's farm at Corbeagh, Ashfield, County Cavan.
Talbot enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Armagh between 28 June and 19 July 1916 (No.2208).
At the end of December 1916 he was one of forty North Irish Horsemen who volunteered to transfer to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (No.40667). The formal transfer took place on 9 January 1917, the same day they embarked for France, where they were posted to the 10th Battalion, joining it at Ploegsteert Wood on the Ypres front.
Talbot was killed in action on 7 June 1917 during the Battle of Messines.
As he has no known grave he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Ieper, West-Vlanderen, Belgium, Panel 22.
Menin Gate Memorial
Talbot's brother William was killed in action on 27 November 1917 while serving with the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards.
,-07-06-1917-(Family),-Ashfield-CoI-Graveyard,-Charley-McAdam.jpg)
Family memorial in Ashfield Church of Ireland Graveyard
Menin Gate images courtesy of by Steve Rogers, Project Co-ordinator of the The War Graves Photographic Project, www.twgpp.org. Ashfield Churchyard image courtesy of Charley McAdam through Nigel Henderson, Researcher at History Hub Ulster (www.greatwarbelfastclippings.com).