Ref ID: 7832
Name
Hugh McCrory.
Description
Newspaper Photograph of Rifleman Hugh McCrory.
Life Story
Name: Hugh McCrory.
Service Number: 8981
Rank: Rifleman
Battalion: 2nd Battalion
Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.
Born: 25th December 1881, Belfast.
Died: 2nd April 1915.
Address: 20 Urney Street, Belfast
.
Volunteer Hugh McCrory, son of John and Elizabeth McCrory, lived with his wife and children at 45 Urney Street, Shankill, Belfast
.
The 1901 Ireland Census has Hugh's family living at 183 Conway Street, Belfast
.
The 1901 Ireland Census has Hugh's Wife and two children living at 105.1 Wilton Street, Belfast
.
Hugh had married Elizabeth Jane McCrory, Nee Matthews, on the 24th February 1906 within St Annes Church Of Ireland Church, Belfast. They went on the have Elizabeth Matthews born 18th October 1906, Mary Isabella born 3rd March 1911, and Hugh born 5th July 1913. They also had a boy James, born 15th December 1909 who sadly died on the 4th March 1911
.
Hugh signed the Ulster Covenant on the 28th of September 1912, Ulster Day, within the Albert Hall, Shankill Road.
He was a Member of the West Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force
.
Short Service Attestation Papers show that 4575 Rifleman Hugh McCrory had joined the Royal Irish Rifles on the 23rd February 1898.
Hugh was posted to South Africa, leaving aboard SS Avoca on the 16th December 1899, and stayed there until 1902.
On the 1st May 1904 he asked and received permission to extend his 7 year service to 8 years.
Hugh was then Discharged on the 22nd February 1910 having served the duration of engagement.
Army Reserves Attestation Papers then show that on 14th of May 1910 Hugh was admitted into the Army Reserves.
On the 13th of May 1914 Hugh was discharged once again having served out his 4 year duration of engagement.
Hugh rejoined the Royal Irish Rifles in August 1914.
He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 11th September 1914.
Hugh was a Rifleman in 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action near St Eloi on the 2nd April 1915 aged 33 years
.
A local newspaper states
.
NORTHERN CASUALTIES.
News is to hand that Rifleman Hugh McCrory, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 2nd inst, near St Eloi. Deceased was a reservist employed at the Queens Island, and a member of the West Belfast Regiment Ulster Volunteer Force. He served throughout the Boar War, and had been at the front since August. His leaves a wife and three small children, who reside at 45 Urney Street, Belfast
.
Hugh's Soldiers Effects were left to his widow.
His Will states the following, In the event of my death I leave to my wife Eliza anything that I may be possessed of. For to help to keep my little ones, Eliza, Lily, Mary, Hughie.
A Dependant Pension Application Form shows his widow as claimant
.
Hugh received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star.
Prior to this he had also received the Queens and Kings South Africa Medals with Clasps, under Army orders of April 1901 and October 1902.
.
He is Remembered at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
To Remember Is To Honour
.
Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
1915
Classification
Newspaper, Newspaper, Photograph - Belfast Telegraph, Larne Times
