McConnell, Alexander A.
Rifleman
No. 17/157, 15th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Wednesday 2 October 1918 (aged 22)
Buried:
Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium (Grave II. O. 9)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Journey of Remembering Belfast Book of Honour
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that Rifleman Alexander A. McConnell (No. 17/157) was born in Bangor and in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Debt of Honour Website it is recorded that he was a son of Alexander and Annie McConnell of 10 Barbour Street, Greencastle, Belfast.
In civilian life Alexander McConnell Senior worked as a plasterer and he was a serving soldier when he and Annie Smyth (sometimes Smith) were married on 19 October 1886 in Trinity Church of Ireland Church, Belfast. Alexander McConnell from Belfast was a son of Alexander McConnell, a blacksmith. Anne Smyth from Belfast was a daughter of Hugh Smyth, an iron moulder.
The McConnell family lived in Belfast and they were living in Abbey Street, Bangor when Alexander was born on 20 September 1896.
Alexander and Annie McConnell (nee Smyth) had nine children including:
Annie (born 6 February 1890 at 22 Upper Charleville Street, Belfast)
Jane Grant (born 31 October 1891 at 53 Barrow Street, Belfast)
Sarah (born 23 September 1893 at 23 Hanover Street, Belfast)
Mary Wilson (born 11 November 1894 at 1 Bann Street, Belfast)
Alexander (born 20 September 1896 in Abbey Street, Bangor)
Isabella (born 9 May 1899 at 12 Montrose Street, Belfast)
William (born 31 May 1903 at 24 Tavanagh Street, Belfast)
Alexander McConnell worked as a doffer in a textile mill before he enlisted in Belfast. Rifleman Alexander A. McConnell (No. 17/157) served with the 15th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 107th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division and he was 22 when he was killed in action on 2 October 1918 during the Allied offensive against all sections of the German line. He was buried in Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium and he is commemorated in the Journey of Remembering Belfast Book of Honour.