Private Hubert Kearon, MM
Hubert Kearon was born on 16 December 1899 at Castletown, County Cork, one of three children of master mariner Edward Kearon and his wife Elizabeth Catherine (nee Hall). By 1911 he was living with his mother and older brother at Chelmsford Road in Dublin. His father was at Arklow, Co Wicklow.
Kearon enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 28 September and 14 November 1917, just before his eighteenth birthday (No.2703 – Corps of Hussars 71983).
In 1918 he embarked for France, where he was posted to A Squadron, then part of the North Irish Horse V Corps Cyclist Regiment.
In September 1918 Kearon and two others were awarded Military Medals for their gallant conduct in the Advance to Victory offensive from 21 August.
He was transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve, on 1 June 1919.
Kearon's older brother Kenneth Edward, a fitter, also served during the war, in the Royal Army Service Corps (Motor Transport).