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Second Lieutenant William McKay was the son of the late Archibald and Mary McKay, a publican of Killowen Street, Coleraine. Mary had been a Widow for several years and had also lost another son called Neal in a boating accident in the same town where he and a Harry Browne had drowned during 1912.

During September 1916, William’s mother received word that her nephew (who was also called William McKay,[1]) and was a Private in the Third Canadian Expeditionary Force (he had joined in Toronto on the 17th of July 1915,) was in Boulogne Hospital suffering from severe gunshot wounds to the back and face, which had occurred during the 7th of September.) He would make a full recovery, even though he had lost 10 teeth and would survive the war, being demobbed during May 1919. He was discharged to his new address in Summerhill Street, Belfast.

Her son, Second Lieutenant William McKay, received his commission during November 1917 and was then attached to the Labour Corps or the Royal Irish Rifles.

Unfortunately, William died in the Asylum in Londonderry a few years later. He suffered from general paralysis of the insane. A form of dementia possibly caused, in this case by shell shock. Unfortunately, I can find no evidence to support this theory.

Date of Death: 29/09/1919 (Aged 38)

Service: Second Lieutenant, Royal Irish Rifles and Labour Corps

Service Number: 178646

Burial Location: North-East of Church, near East boundary.


[1] William McKay, service number 139149, Third Canadian Expeditionary Force

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