Shortly after the outbreak of the War, Rugby Football was suspended by the Irish Rugby Football Union throughout the island of Ireland. It would not resume until the season 1919 -1920, when Bangor would win the Provincial Towns' Cup for the fourth time in its history.

In the last full season played prior to the beginning of hostilities, Bangor RFC 2nd XV had won the Harden Cup. Six of that team 'joined up' and three were 'killed in action' before the end of 1916 (see below):

• FJ.Brown: KIA: 1ST July 1916. Somme
• E.W.Hind : KIA: 1st July 1916. Somme
• T.G.Mahony: KIA; 13th July. France

In total fifteen members of the Club served in the Great War and seven made the supreme sacrifice. Of these were three more pals who had played for a very successful 1st XV in the Season 1910 -1911, when Bangor won the Ulster Junior League, the Past Players Cup and were beaten finalists (by Knock F.C.) in the Ulster Junior Cup Final.

• W.J Hewitt: KIA: 1st July 1916. Somme
• J.Mclaughlin: KIA: 27th February 1915. Belgium
• M.L.Weir: Died in a German POW Camp from wounds. 28th October 1918
The seventh to be killed was H.I.Mahaffy, on 22nd October 1917, in a plane crash on Salisbury Plain.

The following are recorded as having served in the Armed Forces during the War (there may of course be others). Five have been identified from team photographs currently on display in the Clubhouse.

• D.Atkinson
• F.W.Craig
• S.M.CIaney: 1908 - 09 Towns' Cup
• A.W.Corry: 1913 - 1914 Harden Cup
• W.J Meek: 1919-20 Towns' Cup
• J.Milliken
• H.F. Shepperd M.C. 1910 -11 Junior League and Past Players Cup
• R.Wright: 1910 - 04 First time winners of the Towns' Cup

The above information is most probably incomplete and if any Club member, family member or friend has any further details which would add to the Club Archive, we should be most grateful to receive it.

Please contact: Gerry Drennan 02891462455 or Tony Heffernan c/o Bangor RFC.

Sources of information:
• Remembering Their Sacrifice in the Great War: The War Dead of North Down by Barry Niblock
• Mr Barry Greenaway, Archivist, Bangor Grammar School
• Bangor Museum