Portsmouth rallies to pay tribute to Irish soldier killed 100 years ago
TRIBUTES have been paid in Portsmouth to an Irish soldier killed in the First World War.
Private William Black was injured during the Battle of the Somme.
The 33-year-old, who was serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was transported back to Portsmouth but succumbed to his injuries on August 11, 1916 before he could be taken back to Ireland.
He was buried at Kingston Cemetery.
Members of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in Portsmouth held a service with Pvt Black’s family to mark his courage.
Louise Purcell, the city’s Poppy Appeal organiser, said: ‘His family contacted us six years ago to try to trace his grave, which we did, and every year since we have laid a wreath on his grave in November for them.’