McConnell, D G (David George)
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David McConnell was the husband of Sarah Smyth, of Merville, Croc-Na-Mac Road, Portrush, Co. Antrim. He lived in 92A Fountain Street, Londonderry and had three children. He was not a serving soldier at the time of his death.
David started his service with the 12th Inniskillings on the 23rd of August 1915. He remained with them until the 14th of September 1916 (when he arrived in Le Harve,[1] France) and then transferred to the 9th which he joined during October with 94 other men.
Initially their war began very upbeat with the men playing football matches and tug-of-war games, but it was not long before they went up to the frontline.
The new recruits were initially greeted by the Germans constantly bombarding the 9th Battalion between the 12th and 18th of October without a break.
By the 28th of October 1916, David could not cope anymore and was admitted to hospital suffering from shell shock.
Five months later he was discharged during March 1917, being “no longer fit for active service.” David had spent time in a multitude of hospitals and was at this stage in a permanent state of dementia and was no longer capable of holding a conversation.
Private David McConnell eventually passed away in the Derry Asylum a year later suffering from epileptic fits which lasted for two days. This was a direct consequence of events he experienced in France and damage caused by constant shelling.
David was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.
Date of Death: 13/10/1917 (Aged 32)
Service: Private, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, “B” Company. 12th and 9th Battalions.
Service Number: 25998
Burial Location: Londonderry (or Derry), City Cemetery, SB. 481.
[1] Le Havre is a major port in Normandy, northern France.
