Private Bernard (Barney) Donaghey
1st Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Regimental Number
2289
Born:
----
Died:
1916-07-01
Aged:
--
Enlisted:
------
Name recorded on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France. Name also commemorated on the Diamond War Memorial.
Husband of Sarah Donaghey, 106, St Columb's Wells / 1, Fulton Place, Derry.
Barney was a well-known and popular footballer, having played many years for Derry Celtic, and also for Manchester United, Burnley, and other cross-Channel teams. He was previously wounded in the head by shrapnel, and spent time recovering in a hospital at Tanta, Egypt. On that occasion he wrote a letter home saying that he was on his way to recovery, and added 'The other four solders that were beside me were killed. It was an awful sight. I am sure it was the prayers that saved me.'