My grandfather's brother was Richard Ruddy b.1885, from Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland.
His father was William Ruddy, and his mother was Frances 'Fanny' McCleery. Their first son was Dynes Ruddy b.1883. Then Richard. After that came Frances Jane Ruddy. But Frances died 1887 and baby Frances followed in 1888.
This left William & sons Dynes & Richard. In 1891, William remarried to Catherine Hobbs. They still lived in Lurgan.
They first had a daughter Jane Ruddy known as Jinny. They then moved to Belfast and had William, followed by my grandfather Jacob b. 1895, and Joseph. In Jan. 1899, Catherine gave birth to twins. Baby Samuel died aged only 5 weeks, then Catherine died soon after in March. This left William with Dynes, Richard, Jane, William, Jacob, Joseph and the remaining twin Catherine to support.
They lived at 22 Holywood Street, Belfast. After Catherine's death, William had to leave baby Catherine with neighbours at 20 Hollywood Street, while he went to work as a labourer in the iron works. However, aged only 13 weeks, the remaining twin died.
William married for a third time, to Sarah Clark, in 1908. Sarah acted as a mother to them all.
WWI broke out in August 1914, with Richard already serving in the Royal Irish Fusiliers. His half-brother Wiliam was also already serving in 2nd Bttln. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. They were both sent immediately to France.
William was killed two days later on 26th August 1914 at the Battle of Le Cateau and is commemorated at the British Military Cemetery at Fertes-sous-Jouarre.
Richard was WWI captured 28th August 1914 at the Battle of Le Cateau, serving with 1st Bttln. Royal Irish Fusiliers. He was a POW until 1918.
Jacob and Joseph joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers within a week of the war starting. My grandfather, Jacob, was wounded at Gallipoli, then twice again in France. He served August 1914 until September 1918.
Joseph was seriously wounded with 22 machine gun bullets to his left leg. He was invalided out of the Army in 1916.
I often think of what a terribly hard time William Ruddy had. He lost two wives, three babies, a son taken POW, another killed in action, and wo sons wounded.
Richard emigrated to Edmonton in 1923 to work as a harvester.
I am trying to find out what happened to him. I have a suspicion that William, his father, had a brother also called Dynes. William's father was called Dynes, and I have a Dynes about the same age as Richard also called Dynes with his father as Dynes. So I think they are brothers.
Dynes Ruddy
Son William (and Son Dynes)
Grandson Dynes, Grandson Richard...
That possible brother of William called Dynes married a lady called Anna. I have a Dynes Ruddy and Anna emigrating to Canada. So, perhaps the woman he is buried beside (Anna Katherine) is his aunt? Her husband Dynes Ruddy died in Edmonton just before Richard emigrated, so perhaps he went there to help.
I would really appreciate any news you have. Do you know how Richard and Anna were related?
Many thanks,
Simon Doherty
Belfast,
Northern Ireland.