Remembering James Somers, VC

Sergeant James Somers of Cloughjordan was one of 18 recipients of the Victoria Cross honoured in a joint ceremony held at graveyards around the world last Saturday.

All 18 were members of the Royal Irish Regiment, an amalgamation of old Irish regiments, most of which fought in the First World War. One of them was the First Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, with which Sgt Somers served. The Cloughjordan man had joined the army before the outbreak of the war. He served in France in 1914 and was severely wounded during the great retreat from Mons.

After a period of recuperation at home, Sgt Somers was sent to rejoin the war effort in Gallipoli. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his conspicuous bravery on the night of July 1 and 2, 1915.

In March of 1916, Sgt Somers returned with his battalion to France to fight on the Western Front. He was back in Ireland by the spring of 1918 after a breakdown in health, probably the result of gas poisoning.

He died at his parents' home in Cloughjordan on May 7, 1918. He was buried with full military honours in Modreeny Church of Ireland cemetery. In addition to his VC, Sgt Somers was awarded the 1914 Star with ‘Mons’clasps, the War Medal, 1914-1920, and the Victory Medal, 1914-1919.

Graveside ceremony

At the request of the Royal Irish Regimental Association, a short ceremony took place at Sgt Somers' graveside last Saturday, as one did at the graves of each of his 17 comrades at the same time, 10.45am.

In Modreeney, David Cooper read out the citation for the Victoria Cross awarded to Sgt Somers in 1915: “For most conspicuous bravery on the night of 1st-2nd July, 1915, in the Southern Zone of the Gallipoli Peninsula, when, owing to hostile bombing, some of our troops had retired from a sap, Sergeant Somers remained alone on the spot until a party brought up bombs. He then climbed over into the Turkish trench, and bombed the Turks with great effect.

“Later on he advanced into the open under very heavy fire and held back the enemy by throwing bombs into their flank until a barricade had been established. During this period he frequently ran to and from our trenches to obtain fresh supplies of bombs. By his great gallantry and coolness Sergeant Somers was largely instrumental in effecting the recapture of a portion of our trech which had been lost.”

A Regimental wreath and cross were laid at his grave last Saturday, the ‘Last Post’ and ‘Reveille’ were played, and those in attendance observed two minutes of silence.