Cyril Benedict Houlihan
Cyril Benedict Houlihan was born 3 September 1896 in Lindsay ON to Michael and Catherine Houlihan of Lindsay ON. The couple had at least 3 children, Cyril being the youngest, before Michael passed away in 1900 at the age of 42. In his attestation papers, Cyril lists his sister Annie as well as his sister Mary, who is noted as Mrs Joseph Huard, as his next of kin.
Before enlisting on 2 September 1915 with the 109th Battalion in Lindsay, Cyril was a clerk at Mr Ed. C. Armstrong’s Clothing Store, on Kent Street in Lindsay ON. He was transferred to the 20th Battalion upon arrival in England, and prior to that had served with the 45th Victoria Regiment.
The 20th Battalion war diary notes a series of actions on 9 May 1917:
At 3.55am one Coy 19th Bn ordered to move forward. At 4.40am he reported he had moved up to T.30.B.Central, but owning to no support on his flanks had moved back up to ALBERTA ROAD. At xx:xx am orders issued to “C” Coy 21st Battalion to move forward to Hun lines and bomb down on them. At xx:xx am these orders were cancelled by Brigade, and the Coys were recalled. “A” Coy 20th Battalion had got into trenches without opposition, and 19th Battalion had moved a Coy up to support them. Orders were received for 20th Battalion to occupy the line with two Coys, 19th Battalion in support in WINNIPEG ROAD. This position was occupied at 530pm – No 1 Coy being N. of ARLEUX LOOP and No. 3 Coy to South. A gap of 100 yards on right of No 3 Coy as 1st Cheshires who relieved 1st Devons are back on ALBERTA ROAD. Enemy reported by our patrols as holding trenches and sniping from FRESNOY WOOD. Two Coys of 21st Battalion moved back to SASKATCHEWAN ROAD. Communication giving great trouble, wires continually going out. 20th Battalion runners were not used from the forward Headquarters.
The Circumstances of Casualty report for Cyril notes “Previously reported missing, now Killed in Action. He was killed by an enemy 5.9 shell that landed near him whilst taking part in operations East of Vimy. Buried where he fall, West of Arleux Loop.”
Cyril Houlihan’s name is on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, which honours all Canadians who served during the First World War and bears the names of those who died in France with no known grave. He was 20 years old.
