Poppy Shot at dawn: Mailly-Maillet Poppy

 

On 20 March 1916 the War Diary of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons (Service Squadron), soon to become part of the 2nd Regiment North Irish Horse, stated:

Two men of 15th Royal Irish Rifles shot at Mailly-Maillet for desertion. Squadron paraded within earshot.

These men were Riflemen James Templeton and James F. McCracken. They are buried at Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.

 

Mailly-Maillet 1

 

Rifleman James Templeton, Service No.15/890, 15th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, executed on Sunday 19 March 1916 for desertion, aged 20. Son of Mr Templeton, 12 Enfield Street Belfast, Buried at Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave reference C.20. The inscription reads as follows:

15/890 RIFLEMAN

J. TEMPLETON

ROYAL IRISH RIFLES

19TH MARCH 1916

 

Templeton 2

 

Templeton

 

Rifleman James F McCracken, Service No.15/13211, 15th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, executed on Sunday 19 March 1916 for desertion, aged 19. Son of John McCracken. Believed to be from Belfast. Buried at Mailly-Maillet Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave reference C.21. The inscription reads as follows:

15/13211 RIFLEMAN

J. F. MC CRACKEN

ROYAL IRISH RIFLES

19TH MARCH 1916 AGE 19

 

McCracken

 

Images from Mailly-Maillet Copyright © Phillip Tardif with all rights reserved as set out in this Use of Material policy. Source of the image of Rifleman Templeton unknown.