BBC Newsline

The young solicitor’s apprentice stated in the document that he wished all his possesions to be given to his father. His signature was witnessed by two of his comrades, 2nd Lieutenants John Kemmy Boyle of the Royal Irish Rifles, and William Kingston of the Royal Munster Fusiliers. 

Robert's witnesses

Boyle and Kingston both survived the opening day of the Battle of Passchendaele, but Kingston, from Clonakilty in Cork, died in two weeks later in the second stage of the offensive. He is listed among the missing at the nearby Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

Last will of the late Robert K Pollin

Boyle, a Catholic from Dublin, was wounded on the same day (16th August). He was later promoted to the rank of Captain, but was wounded again in 1918. The injured 21-year-old was captured by the Germans and died in a POW camp just days before the Armistice.

Courage under fire

Both Kingston and Boyle were awarded the Military Cross and were ‘mentioned in Despatches’. This refers to a a citation in the pages of the London Gazette. an honour afforded to servicemen who had shown bravery in the field.

If you know of a relative who was mentioned in Despatches, you can search for the relevant entry using the 'London Gazette search' at the top of this page.