Discharged soldier who enlisted again killed by shrapnel

A well-known Stirling footballer – who rejoined the Army after being discharged– waskilledinthelatest fighting.

Pte Martin Coyne, Royal Dublin Fusiliers was killed almost instantly when he was hit by shrapnel, according to information conveyed to his mother, who lived at 2 St John Street, Stirling. An officer, writing to Mrs Coyne, said her son was a great favourite with his comrades and always willing to do his best.

Thesoldier– theeldestsonofthelate Mr Patrick Coyne, mason – was a well - known footballer in Stirling and in 1892 assisted CampsietowintheStirlingshire Cup against Falkirk. He joined the A&SH Territorials when war broke out but was later discharged as medically unfit.

Three years earlier he enlisted in the Dublin Fusiliers and after service in Salonica and Egypt was transferred to France where he had been for the last six months .The former Fallin miner lived with his mother and had a brother in France with the Royal Field Artillery.

*** The third member of a Stirling family was reported killed in action. Miss Catherine O’Donnell, 22 Lower Castlehill learned her brother Patrick, a private in the A&SH, died of wounds on March 24, 1918.

The 24-year-old soldier was the son of the late Mr John O’Donnell, carter, Lower Castlehill, and worked in Rockvale Mills and later Forth Cooperage. Two of his brothers had already made the ultimate sacrifice and another was still serving in France.

*** InDunblane,itwasreportedthat Sgt Major Crow, Scottish Horse, had taken up apostwiththe RAFafter31years’ continuousArmyservice. Hehadserved in the Dardanelles duringWorldWar One.