McGahy, J (John)
McGahy, J (John)
Private John McGahy enlisted in the army on the 16th Sept 1914. His next-of-kin was his sister Lizzie, although John was uncertain of where she lived, he thought it might have been Cookstown. He joined the 10th Inniskilling Fusiliers at Finner Camp.
While at Finner Camp he complained of a cough after getting a bad wetting during November 1914. This then developed into scarlet fever by March 1915 and finally bronchitis. This cleared up and he continued his training for deployment in France.
John landed in France on the 9th of December 1915. The battalion had landed a few months earlier. He soon caught up with them as they were eventually being attached to other battalions at Hebuterne[1] to help them gain some experience in trench warfare and to train.
Training continued, and the battalion marched from area to area in France. When the time came to celebrate the “Closing of the Gates of Londonderry (December 1668)”, the battalion still had no casualties or real front-line experience.
Unfortunately, by the 2nd of February 1916, John was admitted to N.2 General Hospital with bronchitis. He was then sent home in a sick convoy on the 12th.
John remained in hospital and was transferred to the 4th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers during October while his treatment continued. Eventually by January 1917 he was discharged from the army with a recommendation to do farm labouring.
Unfortunately, a few months later, during May, he was taken into hospital for a follow up medical. He was unemployed, and his health had deteriorated. Sanatorium treatment was advised.
John unfortunately never fully recovered from his ill health, and he passed away either on the 4th or 5th of May 1919.
Private John McGahy was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British War and Victory Medals.
Date of Death: 05/05/1919
Service: Private, 4th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, also 12th and 10th Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Service Number: 25967 and 19068 (Aged 25)
Burial Location: Grave 639 (on South boundary).
[1] Hebuterne is an area in Northern France.
