Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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6975630   Fusilier William James Gillespie
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 16/02/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 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.
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 William James Gillespie
Cemetery Details
Cemetery: Heverlee War Cemetery
  Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, 2
Grave Ref: Grave 12-A-6
CWGC Casualty 2777490
Summary      
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.
portrait
Local Memorial Details

No Memorial Name Townland
1 Fivemiletown War Memorial WWII Fivemiletown
Local Institute / Local Book Details

No Name Page
1 Fivemiletown War Dead Book 94
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1911 Census lists 'Gillispie' family Lists the family at house 1 in Tattynuckle, Corralongford, Fermanagh
2 Corporal Thomas Alexander Lynn Nephew of Fusilier William Gillespie
3 Facebook - Fivemiletown History Details and photos of Fusilier William J Gillespie
4 Facebook - Heverlee Cemetery Details and photos of Fusilier William J Gillespie
5 FindAGrave.com Photo of Fusilier William J Gillespie's gravestone
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Fusilier William J Gillespie's gravestone can be purchased here
7 WW2 NI Details and photos of Fusilier William J Gillespie
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023