Private James Heaslip
James Heaslip was born on 10 October 1885 at Moher, Denn, County Cavan, the first of nine children of farmer Robert Heaslip and his wife Elizabeth (née Johnstone). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Moher with his parents and seven surviving siblings and working on the family farm.
Heaslip enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Cavan on 20 October 1913 (No.876). Enlisting at the same time were William Heaslip and Richard Heaslip. Thomas Heaslip had joined three years earlier. All four were from Denn, County Cavan, and it is probable that Richard and William were brothers. James attended the annual training camp the following year and was mobilised on 8 August 1914, following the declaration of war.
He began to suffer heart problems, however, and on 18 August 1914 was admitted to Londonderry Hospital. Two days later he faced a medical board, which found he was suffering for valvular dieease of the heart, not caused or aggravated by his military service.
Heaslip was discharged the same day, being medically unfit for further military service (Paragraph 281(1), Mobilisation Regulations). His military character was recorded as 'very good'.