The month of June 1917 was especially deadly in Flanders Fields (Belgium). Through their offensive preparations and the battle itself, allied troops succeeded in capturing German defences on the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge but this victory came at a high cost with 24,562 casualties and losses for the Triple Entente alone.
The Clann also paid a heavy price during the Battle of Messines with the ultimate sacrifice of James Vincent, John & John Coleman over a terrible seven-day period.
Serjeant James Vincent Coleman, 2nd Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, passed away on June 2nd 1917 and was buried at La Laiterie Military Cemetery in Heuvelland (plot I.A.28, grave pictured below). He was the son of James and Selina Coleman.
Corporal John Coleman, who served with the 14th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment, died on June 3rd 1917. He was buried in Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery (plot VII.F.6, grave pictured below), a village west of Ypres. Little is known from his life back home, the only information found so far mentions his marriage to Mrs M.E. Coleman.
As for Private John Coleman, he gave his life on June 9th 1917 while serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Leinster Regiment. Unfortunately, his remains were never found and he is remembered along with other Clann members at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
As pictured below, his name was carved into stone on panel 44 of the Memorial where a cross has been laid in his honour on behalf of the Clann (please note that the poppy on the cross represents the poppies found growing on soldiers' graves in Flanders Fields. It is not a political statement of any sort).
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