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Private Richard McIlwaine

 

Richard McIlwaine was born in County Armagh around 1890, one of eight children of carpenter William McIlwaine. By 1911 he was living with his father at Queen Street, Lurgan, and working as a hairdresser.

McIlwaine enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 1 February 1913 (No.788). He embarked for France on 20 August 1914 with C Squadron, seeing action in the retreat from Mons and Advance to the Aisne.

McIlwaine was one of three North Irish Horsemen mentioned in Field-Marshal French's despatch of 14 January 1915 for "gallant and distinguished service in the field" prior to 20 November 1914.

Around December 1914 to January 1915 McIlwaine was sent home, either sick or injured. He did not recover sufficiently to return to service and on 7 July 1915 was discharged as no longer physically fit for war service (Paragraph 392 xvi King's Regulations).