James Somers
Sergeant, 1st Battalion. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 1170 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers all Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers VCs →
- Date of action
- 1–2 July 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- the 1st September 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- 12th June 1884 at Belterbet, County Cavan, Ireland
- Died
- 7th May 1918 at Cloughgordon, Tipperary, Ireland
- Memorial / grave
- at St Kiernan's Churchyard, Cloughgordon, Tipperary, Ireland
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
On the 1st-2nd July 1915 in the southern zone of the Gallipoli Peninsular, when, because of hostile Turkish bombing, some of our troops and retired from a sap *. Sergeant Somers, alone, remained on the spot until bombs were brought in by a supply party. Freshly armed with these bombs, he then climbed over into the Turkish Trench and attacked the Turks with great effect. Later, under extremely heavy fire, advancing into the open, he held back the enemy until a barricade had been established by attacking the enemy flank with bombs. He continually returned to the trenches, during this time, to replenish his supplies of bombs. Thanks to his gallantry and coolness under fire, Sergeant Somers was largely instrumental in the recapture of our trench, which had been lost to the Turks
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SOMERS, James. (reg No. 1170).
Sergeant. 1st Battalion. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
London Gazetted on the 1st September 1915.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 12th June 1884 at Belterbet, County Cavan, Ireland.
Died on 7th May 1918 at Cloughgordon, Tipperary, Ireland.
Memorial on grave at St Kiernan's Churchyard, Cloughgordon, Tipperary, Ireland.
Digest of Citation reads: On the 1st-2nd July 1915 in the southern zone of the Gallipoli Peninsular, when, because of hostile Turkish bombing, some of our troops and retired from a sap *. Sergeant Somers, alone, remained on the spot until bombs were brought in by a supply party. Freshly armed with these bombs, he then climbed over into the Turkish Trench and attacked the Turks with great effect. Later, under extremely heavy fire, advancing into the open, he held back the enemy until a barricade had been established by attacking the enemy flank with bombs. He continually returned to the trenches, during this time, to replenish his supplies of bombs. Thanks to his gallantry and coolness under fire, Sergeant Somers was largely instrumental in the recapture of our trench, which had been lost to the Turks.
*Tunnel or trench to conceal assailant's approach.
Additional information:. Sergeant Somers had joined Royal Munster Fusiliers, and the Special Reserve, on 14th January 1913, becoming a regular on 16th July of the same year. On 23rd August to 23rd October 1914 he served in France. He went to Gallipoli where he served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force until March 1916, returning to France on 4th April that year. He transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps on the 1st April 1917.
Additional information
Sergeant Somers had joined Royal Munster Fusiliers, and the Special Reserve, on 14th January 1913, becoming a regular on 16th July of the same year. On 23rd August to 23rd October 1914 he served in France. He went to Gallipoli where he served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force until March 1916, returning to France on 4th April that year. He transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps on the 1st April 1917.
*Tunnel or trench to conceal assailant's approach.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at St Kiernan's Churchyard, Cloughgordon, Tipperary, Ireland
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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