1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
17/03/1907
Died:
19/05/1940 (Killed in Action)
Age:
33
Summary
William James Gillespie was the son of Thomas and Alice Gillespie. He was born on 17th March 1907 in Fivemiletown. His father was a tailor. He was one of nine children. His mother died when he was eleven. William was the husband of Margaret Gillespie. Fusilier William James Gillespie was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was killed in action in Belgium on 19th May 1940 during the retreat to Dunkirk.
Heverlee War Cemetery is located 30 kilometres from Brussels and 3 kilometres south of Leuven. Turn left out of Leuven railway station onto the Tiensevest (ring road R 23). Follow the Tiensevest through the junctions Tiensepoort and Parkpoort and along the Naamsepoort. Turn left at the Naamsepoort onto the Naamsesteenweg (N251), signposted Namen, Waver and Heverlee. Continue until you cross the railway line at Heverlee and take the first left turn into the Hertogstraat. Follow Hertogstraat to the end and turn right at the Sport Hall onto the Kerspelstraat. Continue down the Kerspelstraat until you come to a crossroads at which the cemetery is located.
