Private Robert McKinley

 

Robert McKinley was born on 21 February 1870 at Ballylawn, Manorcunningham, County Donegal, the fourth of ten children of farmer Robert Thomas McKinley and his wife Margaret (née Stevenson). On 24 January 1895 he married Susan Mary Gilfillan in the First Ray Presbyterian Church, Manorcunningham. The couple had ten children over the next eighteen years. At the time of the 1911 Census they were living at Moneyhaughley, Manorcunningham, where they worked their farm.

McKinley enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron at Londonderry on 25 November 1914 (No. UD/201). He gave his occupation as general labourer and his age as 34 years 360 days (ten years less than his true age).

It was not long before McKinley's age became apparent, and on 25 February 1915 he was medically assessed as being 'fit for service at home but over [the] age for active service'.

He was regularly disciplined for various offences. On 19 March at Enniskillen he received 14 days' confined to barracks (CB) for disobedience of squadron orders in entering a licensed premises during prohibited hours; on 26 May at Magilligan Camp, another 14 days' CB for being drunk and creating a disturbance in Hut No.5; and on 21 June at Magilligan, 14 days' CB and fined 2/6 for being drunk and ill-treating a comrade.

On 29 July he was transferred to the 18th (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (No.18/427), and on 6 October, to the 1st (Garrison) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (No. G/444). Having been found fit for garrison duty overseas, on 12 February 1916 he embarked for India with the 1st (Garrison) Battalion, arriving at Bombay on 4 March. On 21 May 1917 he was awarded 5 days' CB and fined 2/6 for returning to barracks drunk.

McKinley later served at Maymyo in Burma. On 16 January 1919 he was awarded 96 hours detention for using obscene language to an NCO, and on 28 February was admonished and fined 5/- for being absent from parade.

He returned home on 2 May 1919 and on 29 May was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve. His military character was recorded as 'good'.

Following his demobilisation, McKinley returned to farming at Moneyhaughley. His wife Susan died there on 20 December 1922. He died at nearby Balleeghan 28 January 1954.

 

This page last updated 4 September 2023.