Grandfather in the Royal Field Artillery

James Fitzhenry was born at Fair Gate, New Ross in 1887, the son of Thomas Fitzhenry, a baker and Mary Forrestal. He worked for several years in a colliery in Tredegar in Wales before joining the British army at the outbreak of war in 1914. He served as a gunner in the Royal Field Artillery. He was the recipient of three commemorative medals - the Star Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal (familiarly known as ‘Pip, Squeak and Wilfred’), issued to personnel of the British forces in World War 1. In addition, a bronze commemorative plaque engraved with his name was awarded posthumously. His sister Bridgie seems to have regularly kept in contact with her brother during his active service and several letters from him to her are still extant. James Fitzhenry was killed during the Arras offensive in France on 5 April 1917; he is buried in Faubourg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras. || Gunner James Fitzhenry; Gunner Fitzhenry's medals; Letter re the 1914-15 Star from the Records Office, Woolwich, England; Death plaque; Grave in Faubourg D'amiens Cemetery, Arras (from www.findagrave.com) || || James Fitzhenry || Photograph || Remembrance || Gunner James Fitzhenry (1887-1917) || || From left to right: British War Medal (reverse); Victory Medal (reverse); 1914-15 Star (obverse); || James Fitzhenry's war medals || James Fitzhenry's medals || Remembrance || Medal || || Remembrance || Official document || James Fitzhenry's 1914-15 Star || Letter re 1914-15 Star sent to Bridgie Fitzhenry || || Remembrance || James Fitzhenry's Death Plaque || Death Plaque || Medal || || Taken from http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Fitzhenry&GSfn=James&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GScntry=7&GSob=c&GRid=56711176&df=p& || Photograph || James Fitzhenry's grave || James Fitzhenry's grave in Faubourg D'amiens Cemetery || Remembrance

An informal group photograph in front of bell tents, James Torrins with colleagues. And a formal group photograph of The Royal Field Artillery, A sub section, with mascot. Torrins was assigned to look after the mascot and horses. What I do remember about my grandfather (James Torrins) is that he was wounded in France and got discharged. He kept the shrapnel, but I can't find it! James Torrins enlisted 18 May 1915 in the Royal Field Artillery, and was wounded in France and discharged on 24 November 1917. || 2 Royal Field Artillery photographs || || Photograph || James Torrins