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Private Edward McIlwain

 

Edward McIlwain (or McIlwaine) was born on 11 January 1895 at Ballygowan, Ballynure, County Antrim, the first of ten children of farmer Arthur McIlwaine and his wife Agnes (née Holden). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Ballybracken with his parents and siblings, and working on the family farm.

McIlwain enlisted at Belfast on 9 March 1917. He was described as being 5' 6" tall with a pale complexion and dark hair. He stated that he worked as a farm labourer.

Between 2 and 24 July 1917 he was posted to the North Irish Horse (No.2623). He was reported to have deserted from the regiment's reserve base at Antrim on 1 August 1917. It is not known if he was subsequentially apprehended.

 

This page last updated 11 February 2024.