Private Robert Sittlington
This North Irish Horseman was probably the Robert Sittlington born on 14 October 1879 at Sallagh, Carncastle, County Antrim, just after his twin sister Mary. They and their younger sister Jane were the children of labourer William Sittlington and his wife Mary (née Barr). By the time of the 1901 Census he was living at Sallagh at the home of his uncle and aunt, Samuel and Agnes Sittington, and their six children. (One of these, Thomas Bell Sittington, also served in the North Irish Horse during the war.) On 24 December 1909 he married Rose Hunter in the First Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus. By the time of the 1911 Census they were living at Corkermain, Carncastle, Robert working as a farm servant.
Sittlington enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 14 and 26 January 1916 (No.2082, 2084 or 2087; later Corps of Hussars No.71691). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve depot before embarking for France sometime between 1916 and 1918. There he was posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment.
In February-March 1918 the 1st NIH Regiment was dismounted and converted to a cyclist unit. This meant a 25 per cent reduction in its numbers, and it is likely that this was the time that Sittlington was transferred to a Hussars regiment. Records show that he served with the 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars, the 3rd (King’s Own) Hussars and the 19th (Queen Alexandra’s Own Royal) Hussars.
On 23 May 1919 Sittlington was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.
Following the war Sittlington returned to Corkermain and worked as a labourer. He died in the Moyle Hospital, Larne, on 15 May 1961.