Ref ID: 51652971517
Name
John McKeown.
Description
Rifleman John McKeown.
Life Story
Name: John McKeown.
Service Number: 5722.
Rank: Rifleman.
Battalion: 2nd Battalion.
Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.
Born: 14th May 1890, Ballymena, County Antrim.
Died: 16th June 1915.
Address: 59 Conlon Street, Belfast.
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John McKeown, son of Douglas and Margaret McKeown, lived with his wife at 59 Conlon Street, Shankill, Belfast.
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The 1901 Ireland Census has John living at 31 Bracken Street, Shankill, Belfast with his father, occupation, General Labourer, sister, Maggie, 6 years, and four brothers, Felix, 21 years, General Labourer, Douglas, 17 years, Machine Boy in Linen Factory James, 15 years, Machine Boy in Linen Factory, Johnston, 8 years
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The 1901 Ireland Census has Johns family living at 20 Antiqua Street, Belfast
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John had married Ellen McKeown, Nee Armstrong, on the 22nd February 1915 within Saint Annes Church of Ireland Church, Belfast. They had two children, John McKeown born 8th December 1915, and Robert Gibson Armstrong (Step Child)born 19th April 1914
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John joined the Royal Irish Rilfes.
He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 2nd April 1915.
John was a Rifleman in 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action on the 16th June 1915 aged 25 years
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A local newspaper states.
Mrs McKeown, of 59 Conlon Street, Belfast, has been notified that her husband Rifleman John McKeown 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action at Hooge on June 16. Prior to enlisting last August deceased was employed at Messrs Ewarts Crumlin Road Mills.
See brother in law also: K7435 Stoker Christopher Armstrong Royal Navy.
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Johns Soldiers Effects were left to his widow Ellen.
His Pension Application Form shows Ellen as claimant.
Dependant Pension Application Forms show his widow as claimant for herself and two children.
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John received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1915 Star.
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He is Remembered at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
To Remember Is To Honour
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Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
1915
Classification
Newspaper, Photograph, - Belfast Telegraph
