Friel, H (Harry)
Friel, H (Harry)
Sergeant Harry Friel was from either 35, Abbey Street or 5 Glenview Street in the city. One address is his wife’s, the other his parents. Harry served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.
The 1st Battalion were posted in Guernsey at the beginning of the war and soon moved to France to help in its defence against the German invasion.
The German army though were too strong, and the battalion was evacuated from Dunkirk on the 30th of May 1940 after fighting many rear-guard actions. A third of the battalion was evacuated on a destroyer, the rest in small civilian boats.
Less than a year later Harry passed away in County Down’s Infirmary after suffering multiple injuries in a motorbike accident.
Harry Friel had a full military funeral which was attended by soldiers and officers of the Royal Irish Fusiliers and the 53rd Battalion of the Reconnaissance Corps.
Date of Death: 12/03/1941 (Aged 23)
Service: Sergeant, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers
Service Number: 6977768
Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, Sec. N. Class B. Grave 620.
