May 3, 1920 (Norwalk, CT) – April 21, 1942; 21 years old
Unmarried
Last local address: Silvermine Avenue, Norwalk
Service number: 31104368
Unit: 2nd Training Squadron, Troop C
Born to Herbert P. (1879-1961) and Mabel G. Dickens Ireland (1891-1980). Two sisters, Beatrice E. Ireland Smith (1914-2000) and Dorothy M. Ireland Duff (1917-2005).
Norwalk High School Class of ’40 yearbook
Private Ireland died in his sleep at Fort Riley, Kansas.
From The Norwalk Hour April 22, 1942
Private Richard Ireland, 21, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert P. Ireland of Silvermine Avenue, inducted into the Army a little more than three weeks ago, died in his sleep on Monday night at Fort Riley, Kansas according to word received yesterday by his family from the War Department. Word of Private Ireland’s death came as a shock to his family, as they had received a letter from him on Monday in which he had reported he was feeling fine. The War Department telegram gave no details of the young soldier’s death. Private Ireland was inducted into the Army from this city on Saturday, April 4. He spent a few days at the reception center at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, and was then transferred to Fort Riley, the Army’s cavalry center. The young soldier graduated from Norwalk High School in June 1940. He was employed as a plater in the front shop of C. and K. before his induction. Surviving is his parents and two sisters, Miss Dorothy Ireland, and Mrs. Howard Smith, all of this city, as well as one nephew.
From The Norwalk Hour April 25, 1942
Funeral services for Private Richard Ireland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert P. Ireland of Silvermine Avenue, who died on Monday night at Fort Riley, Kansas, were held yesterday afternoon at the late home. Reverend Floyd E. George Jr., officiated. The interment took place in Lakeview Cemetery, New Canaan. Members of Company B, Connecticut State Guard, acted as pallbearers. They were Lieutenant Stephen Dokus, Joseph Wargo, Frank DiScala, John Gruelle, Francis Coombs, Lawrence Knowlton, and Amedeo Ricci. The Guard of Honor included Mrs. C. Russell Day, Mrs. George Howard, Mrs. George Ross, Mrs. Antonio Williams, Mrs. Hermas Poirier, and Mrs. Minnie Cunningham. Color bearers were Commander George Ross of the Frank C. Godfrey Post, American Legion, and Past Commander Harold Britto of the Mulvoy Tarlov Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Richard is buried at Lakeview Cemetery, 352 Main Street, New Canaan, Connecticut; Section L, Plot 33. Photos by webmaster.
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