Name

Commonwealth War Graves Commission: Lance Corporal William McIlroy. Remembered with Honour - Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Description

Certificate in memory of Lance Corporal William McIlroy (9223), Remembered with Honour on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. 'In memory of Lance Corporal William McIlroy (9223), "C" Coy. 2nd Bn., Royal Irish Rifles who died on 16 June 1915, Age 31. Son of the late William McIlroy; husband of Elizabeth McIlroy, of 31, Aberdeen St., Belfast.' Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Life Story

Name: William McIlroy.

Service Number: 9223.

Rank: Lance Corporal.

Battalion. 2nd.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: Shankill, County Antrim.

Died: 16th June 1915.

Address: 31 Aberdeen Street, Belfast

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Ulster Volunteer William McIlroy, son of the late William and Mary Anne McIlroy, lived at 31 Aberdeen Street, Shankill Road, Belfast, with his wife Elizabeth and 5 children.

The 1911 Ireland Census has William living at 15 Aberdeen Street, Shankill Road, Belfast with his wife Elizabeth, 1 year old son William and two daughters, Agnes, 7 years and Elizabeth, 3 years, Williams occupation is given as a Holder Up.

William was a member of both the Blue Banner 1942 L.O.L, Orange Order, and Royal Black Preceptory 20.

He was member of the West Belfast Ulster Volunteer Force.

William enlisted in to the Royal Irish Rifles.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Forces on the 11th of November 1914.

William McIlroy, aged 31 years, was a Lance Corporal in C Company 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, when he was Killed In Action on the 16th June 1915.

A local newspaper states.

Mrs McIlroy, of 31, Aberdeen Street, Belfast, has been advised that her husband, Lance Corporal William McIlroy, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on the 16th ult. Deceased, who was a reservist employment at Messrs, Workman and Clark's, had been at the front for a considerable time, and had come through many heavy engagements without a scratch. He was a member of L.O.L 1942 (Blue Banner) and R.B.P 20, also West Belfast Regiment U.V.F, and the Boilermakers Society No 3 Belfast Branch. Lance Corporal McIlroy leaves 5 young children. Another brother of Williams is serving with the 9th Royal Irish Rifles at Ballykinlar. Their mother resides at 19 Wimbledon Street.

Another newspaper states.

Lance Corporal William J McIlroy, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, killed at the Dardanelles, was a member of L.O.L. 1942 and R.B.P. 20. He enlisted at the outbreak of the war, was formerly employed by Messrs Workman Clark and Co, and was a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force. His wife and five children reside at 31 Aberdeen Street.

There are also memorial insertions within his file.

Pension Application Forms show both his mother Mary Anne and wife Elizabeth as claimants.

His Soldiers Effects were left to his wife Elizabeth.

He received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star.

He is Remembered at Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium.

To Remember Is To Honour

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