2nd Lieutenant Samuel Fulton McCreary
Samuel Fulton McCreary was born on 25 February 1885 at Straidlands, Ballynure, County Antrim, son of farmer Robert McCreary and his wife Maggie (nee Fulton). He was educated at the National School in Ballyclare.
McCreary enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Belfast on 19 October 1914 (No.1322). The following January he was promoted to lance corporal and in June made the rank of corporal.
On 17 November 1915 he embarked for France with F Squadron of the North Irish Horse, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 33rd Division. In June 1916 the squadron joined with C Squadron and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment.
McCreary was promoted to sergeant on 12 August 1916.
In May 1917 he applied for a commission in the cavalry. He left France that June and in September reported for duty at the No.2 Cavalry Cadet School at Kildare. After some months he passed the necessary assessments (being noted as a "good horse master"). He was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant on 6 April 1918 and posted to the 2nd Reserve Cavalry Regiment.
He relinquished his commission on 11 March 1919.
After the war he farmed with his father at Straidlands before purchasing his own farm, Lismenary, at Ballynure.
I am grateful to Richard Wallace - see his publication The World War One Rolls of Honour in Ballynure Presbyterian Church and Ballynure Methodist Church - and to 2nd Lieutenant McCreary's family, for providing these images.