Sergeant George Bradford McGaffin

 

George Bradford McGaffin was born on 30 March 1891 at Sheeptown, Newry, County Down, the last of five children of income tax clerk Joseph McGaffin and his wife Jane (née Bradford). His father died when he was just two years old. At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Sheeptown on the family farm with his mother and a brother, and working as an architect's apprentice.

McGaffin enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron between 15 September and 12 November 1915 (regimental number 288-91 or 295-99 – later Corps of Hussars No.21284). After training at the squadron reserve at Enniskillen, in 1917 or 1918 he embarked for service overseas. It appears that he was one of at least a dozen men of the Inniskillings reserve squadron who were attached to the 1st King's Edward's Horse Regiment. During 1917 and 1918 this regiment served as corps cavalry in France and Italy.

On 15 February 1919 McGaffin was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

He returned to farming at Sheeptown. On 21 September 1921 he married Sarah Fleming in the Warrnepoint Presbyterian Church, County Down. He died in the Newry district on 16 August 1965.

 

At least one of McGaffin's brothers also served in the war. William Henry McGaffin was killed in action on 3 May 1917 while serving in the 8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment.

 

This page last updated 25 August 2023.