Name

William McTaggart.

Description

Belfast Telegraph Newspaper Photograph of Rifleman William McTaggart.

Life Story

Name: William McTaggart/McTaggard.

Service Number: 122.

Rank: Rifleman.

Battalion: 16th Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: Belfast.

Died: 21st March 1918.

Address: 25 Richmond Street, Shankill Road, Belfast.

William McTaggart lived at 25 Richmond Street, Shankill Road, Belfast with his wife Agnes and 6 children

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The 1901 Ireland Census has William living at 7 Linwood Street, Belfast with his wife and son, William, 1 year. His mother in law, Mary Manice, brother in law, William Manice, occupation, Labourer At Foundry, and three sister in laws, Ellen, 14 years, Yarn Preparer Doffin In Mill, Mary, 3 years, and Barbara, under 1 year. Williams occupation at this time is given as Van Driver Labourer

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The 1911 Ireland Census has William living at 39 Richmond Street, Shankill Road, Belfast with his wife, four sons, William, 12 years, Robert, 10 years, James, 6 years, John, 4 years, and two daughters, Mary Ellen, 9 years, and Agnes, 1 year. Williams occupation at this time is given as Labourer

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William had married Agnes McTaggart, Nee McNeice, within Trinity Church, Belfast, on the 19th of December 1898 and they went on to have 8 Children. William born 8th July 1899, Robert born 5th May 1901, Mary Ellen born 24th February 1903, James born 26th September 1905, John born 5th November 1907, Agnes born 16th June 1910, Barbara Carson born 28th September (Ulster Day) 1912, and Emma born 31st January 1918.

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William signed the Ulster Covenant on the 28th of September 1912, Ulster Day

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William joined the Royal Irish Rifles.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 20th of November 1915.

William McTaggart was a Rifleman in the 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action on the 21st of March 1918 aged 44 years

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A local newspaper in 1918 states.

Rifleman W M'TAGGART Royal Irish Rifles, missing. News to his wife, at 25 Richmond Street, Belfast

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Another in 1920 states.

Mrs McTaggart, 25 Richmond Street, Belfast, has just been notified that her husband, Rifleman William McTaggart, 16th Royal Irish Rifles, who was reported missing on 21 March 1918, is now reported as having been killed in action on that date (or since). Deceased had two years service when he made the supreme sacrifice

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Also, the 1901 Ireland Census has William aged 26 years and the 1911 Ireland Census has his age at 31 years, whereas it should have been 36 years. For reasons unknown over 5 years have been taken off Williams age, something that in fact may have helped him at a later date when enlisting

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Williams Soldiers Effects were left to his widow.

A Dependant Pension Application Form shows his wife Agnes as claimant also

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William received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1915 Star

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He is Remembered at Bouchoir New British Cemetery, France.

To Remember Is To Honour

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