Niblock – Postwar
According to Hugh Niblock’s pension card and later medals, he was officially discharged on 5 February 1918. His wife’s name (Mary Agnes), his unit (6th Royal Irish Fusiliers) and his regimental number (12924) confirm that this if the correct man.1
He would later receive several medals for his wartime service:2
The 1914-15 Star was awarded to men who fought overseas in any theater during the first year of the war. The British War Medal was awarded to men who had fought or served overseas at any time during the war, and it was often awarded together with the Victory Medal. Each of the (victorious) Allied nations issued their own version.3
He also appears on a register of men awarded the Silver War Badge:4
The Silver War Badge was awarded to men who had been discharged due to wounds or disease. The veteran could wear the badge on his civilian clothes as proof that he had been honorably discharged and was not shirking his duty.5
It is also worth noting that Niblock’s son Edward would later fight in the British forces in the Second World War; like his father, he served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Edward was killed in December 1944 at age 30. He was buried in Italy.6
Hugh Niblock died in September 1953, one year before his wife. Both are buried in Belfast City Cemetery.7
“UK, WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923,” digital image s.v. “Hugh Niblock,” Fold3.com. Image cannot be reproduced due to copyright.
“UK, British Army World War I Service Records, 1914-1920,” First World War ‘Burnt Documents,’ The National Archives Microfilm Publication WO 363, digital image s.v. “Jacob Lewis,” Ancestry.com. Images used with permission from The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
“British First World War Service Medals,” Imperial War Museums, https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/first-world-war-service-medals.
“UK, Silver War Badge Records, 1914-1920,” War Office and Air Ministry: Service Medal and Award Rolls, First World War, Silver War Badge, TNA RG WO 329, 2958–3255, digital image s.v. “Hugh Niblock,” Ancestry.com. Images used with permission from The National Archives of the UK (TNA).
“Silver War Badge and Kings Certificate of Discharge,” Imperial War Museums, https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/silver-war-badge-and-kings-certificate-of-discharge.
“UK, Commonwealth War Graves, 1914-1921 and 1939-1947,” British Commonwealth War Graves Registers, 1914-1918, digital image s.v. “Edward Niblock,” Ancestry.com.
“Occupants of grave U1 269, City Cemetery - Glenalina Extension,” Belfast City Centre, https://online.belfastcity.gov.uk/find-burial-records/BurialSearch.aspx?GraveSection=U1&GraveNumber=269&CemeteryName=City%20Cemetery%20-%20Glenalina%20Extension#MOVEHERE.