Relatives remember Rehy war casualty

When he was just 18 years of age, Dennis Liddane left the family home in Rehy, Kilkee and set sail on the emigrant ship for a new life in America.

He was accompanied on that voyage in 1912 by his brother, James and they eventually settled in New Jersey, quickly becoming American citizens.
When World War 1 broke out, Dennis was drafted into the American army. He served under SGT York as a private in the 327th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Division. He was posted to France and fought in the Meuse–Argonne offensive, considered the largest battle ever fought by US troops up to that time in American history.
On October 10, 1918, Dennis lost his life in that offensive and was buried in the Meuse–Argonne American cemetery, the largest American cemetery in Europe. The burial ground is located almost in the centre of an area captured by American troops from the enemy at the end of World War 1.
On the 130 acres of ground, 14,246 war dead are interred, including 186 unknown soldiers.
Recently, three of Dennis’ grandnieces, Helen Kennedy, Pauline Cummins and Dell Fitzgerald, on behalf of the Lardner, Halpin and Liddane families, visited his grave to honour and remember his passing. They also took the York trail where he died.