Lance Corporal Robert Dundee
Robert Dundee (left) with his brothers Albert and Alexander
Robert Dundee was born about 1891 at Straidnahanna, Ballylinny, County Antrim, son of farmer James Dundee and his wife Ellen Jane (nee Blair).
Part of a large family, Dundee's mother died in 1900. In 1911 he was living at at the family farm with his father (who was very ill with cancer), his brothers Thomas and Charles, and his sister Mary.
Dundee enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 7 September 1914 (No.1138 – later Corps of Hussars 71245) with two of his brothers, Alexander and Albert. Their younger brother, 16-year-old Charles, had overstated his age and enlisted in the Royal Irish Rifles. Another brother, William John, had served in the Boer War with the Imperial Yeomanry and saw action in East Africa in the Great War.
On 1 May 1915 he embarked for France as part of D Squadron of the North Irish Horse. His brothers Alexander and Albert were also part of the squadron.
Dundee remained with the regiment throughout the war.
On 25 February 1919 he was transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.
Belfast Weekly Telegraph of 13 February 1915
A MILITARY FAMILY
Five sons of the late Mr. James Dundee, Beechfield, Ballynure, and brothers of Mr. James Dundee, chemist, University Road, Belfast. (1) Sergeant W. J. Dundee, of the Cape Dominion Defence Force. He served through the South African war, going out with the Yeomanry and returning threw in his lot with the Irish Horse, and again went to the front. On the cessation of hostilities he obtained a good position with the Commissioner of Police in Johannesburg. When the present war broke out he volunteered for service with General Botha's forces, and has since been engaged in the difficult task of rounding up rebels. He is at present in East Africa. Two brothers-in-law are serving in the (same?) Forces. (2) Troopers Robert and Albert and Corporal Alexander Dundee, of A Squadron North Irish Horse. All three joined together, and at present are training in England. (3) Private Charles Dundee, 14th Batt. (Y.C.V.) Royal Irish Rifles, is training at Randalstown.
Picture 1 kindly provided by Mrs Dorothy Harcourt. Picture 2 provided by Nigel Henderson, Researcher at History Hub Ulster (www.greatwarbelfastclippings.com).