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Tracing Your Roots To Gallipoli

Remembering some of the Bolton men who lost their lives in the Gallipoli Campaign of 1915

Matthew Killoran

Matthew KilloranBolton Journal and Guardian 10 September 1915

Corporation Workman Killed

Another Boltonian who has laid down his life for his country is Pte. Matthew Killoran who, while serving with the 11th Manchester Regiment in the Dardanelles, was killed in action. The gallant soldier, who resided with his wife at 3, All Saints-st., enlisted in the first week of the war at Ashton, and he had been in the fighting line about three months, being killed on the 13 August. In civil life Killoran, who was 27 years of age, was employed at the Belmont Waterworks. In his last letter home Killoran drew a copy of the Union Jack, adding the description, “the flag that knows no defeat.”

Matthew was the son of Hugh Killoran b.1856, a tailor, and (Mary?) Ann Killoran b.1854.

He first appeared on the 1891 census living at 6 All Saints Street, Bolton with his parents and sister Mary Ann Killoran b.1889.

Matthew's father appears to have died shortly afterwards and his mother had another son, Henry Bibby b.1894.

Matthew's mother married Charles Cuerden b.1859 as Ann Bibby in 1899.

Matthew appeareds (although almost illegibly) on the 1901 Census living at the same address with his mother, Charles Cuerden and his sister Mary Ann Killoran and half-brother Henry Bibby.

Matthew enlisted in the Militia as a private in the 6th Bn Manchester Regiment on 13 September 1904 and purchased his release on 21 September 1904.

He enlisted again in the Militia as a private in the 4th Bn King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment on 27 October 1904 and again purchased his discharge (for £2.00) on 26 April 1905.

His medical examination in 1904 recorded him as being 5' 2 3/8" tall, weighing 106 lbs with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He had a tattoo of a cross on his left forearm.

He enlisted once again in the Militia as a private in the 5th Bn Manchester Regiment on 6 May 1905 at Ashton-under-Lyne - this time with grey eyes and height 5' 3 1/2". His weight was 112 lbs. "Slightly knock kneed and little toes of both feet do not touch the ground."

He enlisted for a fourth time in the Militia as a private in the 3rd Bn The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 7 June 1906. He deserted 2 days later and was awarded 10 days detention.

His medical examination this time puzzlingly recorded his eyes as being blue. Height at that point was 5' 3 3/4" and weight 115 lbs. His cross tattoo had been joined by a letter M with two dots on the right forearm.

He enlisted yet again in the Militia as a private in the 3rd Bn King's Regiment on 23 April 1907 in Warrington. He was discharged under Para 59 Special Army Orders on 21 March 1910.

Matthew's eyes reverted to being hazel on his 1907 medical examination. His height however was then just 5' and his weight was 155 lbs...

His tattoo collection had grown to "Red heart pierced with arrow and feint tattoo mark outside of flags, clasped hands, True Love and dagger inside right forearm. Sword with wreath entwined inside left forearm. E.M. with scroll above and below left arm, Rose (flower) left forearm. LOVE back of left wrist."

He also had a scar above his left ear, a scar behind his right ear and a linear scar on the left side of his forehead.

He appeared on the 1911 Census as an inmate of Cheetham Prison (Strangeways) in Manchester.

Matthew married Annie Cocker in Bolton in 1912. He worked as an iron turner.

 

Name Killoran, Matthew
Rank Private
Number 3445
Unit 11th Bn
Manchester Regiment
Born Bolton, Lancashire 1888
Enlisted Ashton-Under-Lyne, Lancashire
Died Gallipoli, Turkey
13 August 1915
Age 27
Grave or Memorial Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey
CWGC DETAILS
Manchester Regiment