---

 

Private Joseph Roulston Cairns

 

Joseph Roulston Cairns was born on 12 February 1889 at Corcullion, Castlefin, County Donegal, the fifth or sixth of seven children of farmer John Cairns and his wife Mary (née Roulston). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living with his parents and two siblings at Corcullion, and working on the family farm.

Cairns enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Castlederg on 4 March 1914 (No.917).

Mobilised 6 August 1914, Cairns was soon found to be ill. A medical board at Londonderry found that he was suffering from 'DAH' (disordered action of the heart). "States that since he had Pneumonia two years ago, he has suffered from palpitation & shortness of breath."

On 7 October he was discharged (paragraph 154, Special Reserve Regulations). His military conduct was recorded as 'very good'.

After his discharge Cairns returned to farming at Corcullion. He died at the Lifford District Hospital on 15 September 1956.

 

A photo taken by Cairns of his fellow recruits at Londonderry in 1914 can be seen here.