Branch Meeting, 16 May, 2015.
David Nolan
Private 8761
1 Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers
Died of Wounds, 16 May, 1915.
David was born C1887, the son of David and Margaret Nolan. He enlisted in Mallow, Co. Cork, and at that time was living in Millstreet, in the same county.
It would appear that David was a career soldier, as his number would indicate that he enlisted sometime between February 1907 and September, 1908. The 1911 UK Census lists a David Nolan (born Charleville, Co. Cork) as serving with the 1 RMF in India.
When war broke out the battalion was stationed in Rangoon, Burma, they were recalled and landed at Avonmouth on 10 January, 1915, and they moved to Coventry, where they came under orders of 86th Brigade in 29th Division. They returned to Avonmouth and on 16 March they sailed for Gallipoli, going via Alexandria and Mudros, where they halted on 10 April.
On 25 April, the battalion landed from the SS River Clyde on V Beach at Cape Helles (and like other battalions there that day) suffered terrible casualties. Whether David was injured that day or later on is not known, however, what we do know is that he died from his wounds on 16 May, 1915.
David was entitled to the 1915 Star and the British War & Victory Medals, and having no known grave, he is remembered on the Helles Memorial to the Missing.