Thiepval: Pauline Priano
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
One of 10 children, 5 sons, 4 daughters, 1 gender unknown, of whom only 5 survived, Dominic Mary McShane was the son of Michael McShane and Mary Condron, both of whom were Irish immigrants born 1846 and 1849. Their respective families settled in the north east where the couple met and were married in the district of Easington, County Durham in 1869. Sons John Thomas and Michael Jnr were born at Thornley in 1870 and 1872, unfortunately John Thomas died aged 3 years in 1873. They remained at Thornley for the next 5 years where Mary gave birth to a further 3 children, Bridget Norah in 1874, Mary Ann 1877 and Joseph 1879 who died the following year at Easington. By 1881 Michael Snr and Mary had moved to Maple Chare, Wingate Grange Colliery, where he was employed as a coal miner, Bridget (6) was a scholar, Mary Ann (5) at home and 1-month old Dominic, who although listed as a son in relation to the head of the family is under the name of Mary D. born at Wheatley Hill. Michael Snr had transferred to Front Street, Hutton Henry by 1891 and although their family had grown with the birth of a further 3 children. Jacob William born in 1883 who died August 11th 1885 while his wife was pregnant with daughter Jane, born December 15th 1885 and Catherine in 1889, in the census of 1891, Mary McShane, although still living, is not included. The same occurs in the census of 1901 and 1911. Michael, a coal hewer, was living in 1901 with his daughters Mary Ann (25), Jane (15) employed as a dressmaker, Catherine (13) and Bridget (26) now married with 2 children under the surname Leavy, at Houghton-le-Spring. In 1911 now retired he had transferred to Sunderland where he was living in 4 rooms at 43, Whickham Street, Roker, with Mary Ann (34) who looked after her father and sister Catherine (22) now working in the tailoring trade as a machinist.
Dominic McShane had left home and in 1901 was serving with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards at Chelsea Barracks, London, newly formed April 1st 1900 by Queen Victoria to commemorate the Irishmen who fought in the 2nd Boer War for the British Empire.
He was married in 1910 at Durham to widow Bridget Agnes Maddison nee McIntyre whose husband had been crushed, March 23rd 1909 at Langley Park Colliery, by a huge stone mass that fell between two jacks or joints and killed him. She had 2 sons from her first marriage, James McIntyre Maddison born 1901 and Robert Maddison in 1903. In 1911 they were living in 3 rooms at 6, Oak Street, Langley Park, County Durham, Bridget gave birth to their daughter Mary, June 19th 1911.
When war was declared with Germany, Dominic McShane was one of the first to enlist in the newly raised 24th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Irish), at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, November 14th 1914. After initial training near home they were sent to Ripon, Yorkshire, during June 1915, where they joined the 103rd Brigade, 34th Division and moved to Salisbury Plain in late August for final training. He departed with his regiment January 1916, joining upon their arrival in France, the division concentrated at La Crosse, east of St. Omer. After a period of nursery training and trench familiarisation the division moved to the Somme where preparations had been underway for months for, “the Big Push.” Due to begin June 29th 1916 but postponed by bad weather, the 24th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were ordered into action on the first day of the Battles of the Somme, July 1st 1916, attacking during the Battle of Albert, south of the village of La Boisselle where they captured Scotts and Sausage Redoubts.
Sergeant 619 Dominic McShane Northumberland Fusiliers was killed in action July 1st 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of over 72,000 names inscribed on the Thiepval memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France, commemorating servicemen from South Africa and Great Britain who died on the Somme before March 20th 1918 and have no known grave.
His widow Bridget received all monies due to him, a pension for herself and their daughter Mary and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal. She also received the sum of £45 when the probate was settled in 1924 on her first husband, Matthew William Maddison of 3, Thomas Street, Langley Park, County Durham.
Bridget Agnus McShane-Maddison nee McIntyre died aged 80 years in 1959, registered in the district of Durham Central.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Dominic McShane is remembered at Esh Laude on E73.01 and at Langley Park on L64.01 and L73.02
