Lance/Corporal James Tighe.
155926 Royal Engineers 170th Tunneling Coy.
Formerly 17588 10th Scottish Rifles.
Died of Wounds 25th July 1917, aged 22.
(James’ brother John was killed 5th Aug 1917.)
James was born in June quarter of 1895 in Burnley. The son of Michael Tighe and Maria Naughton (married June quarter 1888 in Burnley). In the 1901 census the family lived at 21 Hirst St, Burnley. Michael 40 a gas stoker was born in Rusky, Ireland, Maria 29 was born in Sligo, Ireland. Sarah 11, John 8, James 5, Patrick 3 and Daniel 1 were all born in Burnley.
By the time of the 1911 census the family had grown somewhat and still lived at Hirst St. Michael 50, Maria 40, Sarah weaver 22, John 18, James 15 both miners, Patrick 13, Daniel 11, Michael 3, Joseph 2, Mary 8 and Kathleen 6. Their parents had been married 23 years had had 13 children 4 having died in infancy.
James was 19 years old when he enlisted in the 4th Scottish Rifles, on the 2nd Jan 1915. He deserted from that Corps on the 22nd May 1915 and fraudulently enlisted in the 2nd Battalion of the Irish Guards on the 1st June 1915. He was tried and the fraudulent enlistment charge was dropped and he had to pay for the value of the discharge from the Scottish Rifles and clothing obtained therefrom. He was in training and on the home front until 10th Nov 1915 when he embarked from Southampton for France. He was suffering from Lumbago in the Dec of that year and in the Jan. of 1916 was transferred to the Royal Engineers Tunnelling Coy. He was promoted to L/Cpl on the 7th July of 1917. 18 days later he was shot in the chest and was taken to 33rd Casualty Clearing Station but died shortly afterwards.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 8th August 1917: A BRAVE ENGINEER. BROTHER’S SAD LETTER.
Apart from the regret that will be felt for the family at the death of Sapper James Tighe, 155926, Royal Engineers, there is the sad fact that his elder brother Sergeant John Tighe, who had been with him nearly two years, was called to the Casualty Clearing Hospital just too late to see him pass away. James who was 22 years of age last May, was one of four soldiers sons of Mr and Mrs Tighe now of 39 Lyndhurst Road Burnley. Originally he joined the Irish Guards in March 1915, but transferred to the Royal Engineers a little later, into the same company as his elder brother, and they had been practically together for nearly 2 years. Formerly he was a drawer at Cheapside Colliery, and he was connected all his life with St Mary's Church and School. The other three brothers are John, referred to, Patrick now in Salonika, and who had been wounded previously in France, and Dan who is only just 18, and is in training in Scotland.
The official news states that Sapper James Tighe died on July 24th but letters received by the family show that he was wounded on the 24th and lived about 6 or 7 hours. When admitted to hospital he was dangerously wounded and the war office could Grant no permission to visit him.
Mr and Mrs Tighe received the following from their son John dated July 27th: "I have some very sad news to tell you and hope you will bare it as best you can. I know it will be very hard for you, but we cannot go against the will of God. Poor James was badly wounded on the night of the 24th and died the next day in hospital. He was buried in the French Cemetery by father Mullins, and I along with a party of men, also his section officer, attended his funeral. The priest says he was with James until the last, so you have one consolation that James had no pain and was at confession and received the last Sacrament a few hours before dying. I am sorry I was not able to see him before he died. They did not know the hospital he was in. Every effort was made to find him, but it was not until after his death that the hospital was known. The company is going to make a cross and I will erect it myself over his grave. Dear mother, Almost every family has had their share of trouble over this cruel war, so do your best and keep your heart up. It is very hard to ask you to do so under the circumstances."
Sister Foley writes: "I much regret to have to tell you the sad news of your son's death in this hospital this morning at 7:45. He was admitted yesterday suffering from a gunshot wound of the chest, his injury being very serious. Everything was done to try and save his life and ease his pain. The priest was with him. He will be buried in the cemetery here."
The chaplain also reports the death, saying that Sapper Tighe was shot through the lungs and never regained consciousness, dying about 6 hours after being brought into hospital. He added, "may God Rest his soul and speedily and the war."
The deceased Lieutenant says Sapper Tighe was wounded while taking part in a raid on the enemy trenches. All the Officers and Men of the Company were very much attached to him. "Fine Plucky fellow very much liked by us all, he and his brother have been a real credit to you."
From The Express and Advertiser dated 15th August 1917: SECOND WITHIN A FORTNIGHT. SAD NEWS FOR BURNLEY FAMILY.
It was only last week that we recorded the death from wounds received in action, of Sapper James Tighe of the Royal Engineers, the first news of which was sent to the parents at 39 Lyndhurst Road Burnley, by his brother Sergeant John Tighe of the same company of the RE. It is very sad indeed to learn that Sergeant John is now killed, and even more regrettable to learn, that he was killed by one of our own men who went suddenly demented.
The Reverend M J Owens, Chaplain writes to Mr Tighe as follows under date August 7: "Dear Mr Tighe. I regret very much that I have to inform you that I buried your son John yesterday. From information received from his adjutant I find that one poor chap went off his head, caught up a rifle, and fired it off with fatal results. He is buried in the N........ cemetery, and it may console you to know that it was the largest funeral I have had for over 2 years. There were 11 officers and about 150 men present. The officers and Men tell me he was the most popular man and the best sergeant in the company. It is regrettable that after his 3 hard years, he should go like that in the end. With sincerest sympathy, M J Owens."
Sergeant John Tighe who was 25 years of age last June, joined the forces in September 1914, and went out to France after 4-months. He had been on Active Service for over two-and-a-half years, and it is very sad that his end should have been so unfortunate. There was a remarkable coincidence about the brothers John and James. They were both employed at Cheapside Colliery and connected all their lives with St Marys Roman Catholic church and school. John and listed in September 1914, and James (aged 20 at the time) in March 1914. For over 2 years the brothers had been in the same company of the Royal Engineers. At the end they were killed within a fortnight of each other, James on July 24th, and John on August 6th or 7. There are two other brothers, Patrick now in Salonika, and who had been wounded grievously in France, and Dan, who is only just 18, is in training in Scotland.
Lived at 39 Lyndhurst Road.
James left his effects to his sister Mary.
James was buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France: Grave Ref; VI.F.57. Son of Michael and Maria Tighe, of 39, Lyndhurst Rd., Burnley. His brother John Tighe also fell.
