McConnell, Hugh Lavery
Died of disease on Saturday 3 March 1917 (aged 28)
Commemorated:
Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) Roll of Honour 1914 – 1919 for
Second Newtownards Presbyterian Church
BIOGRAPHY
The name Hugh McConnell is listed in the burial register for Movilla Old Cemetery Newtownards where he is described as a soldier who died of bronchitis on 4 March 1917.
The name Hugh McConnell is listed in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) Roll of Honour 1914 – 1919 for Second Newtownards Presbyterian Church where he is described as a Private in the Royal Irish Fusiliers who was wounded and died. His name is not inscribed on the memorial plaque in Second Newtownards Presbyterian Church.
These two soldiers are different people.
On the death certificate of the soldier listed in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) Roll of Honour 1914 – 1919 for Second Newtownards Presbyterian Church he is described as a widowed painter who died of pneumonia (aged 28) on 3 March 1917. He died at Ballygiggan, Killyleagh.
Hugh Lavery McConnell was born on 28 August 1888 at 32 Dundee Street, Belfast, and he was a son of James and Mary McConnell (nee Lavery) who were married on 29 August 1882 in Newtownards Parish Church of Ireland Church. James McConnell (aged 20), a miner from Whitespots, Newtownards was a son of William McConnell, a miner. Mary Lavery (aged 18) from Market Street, Newtownards was a daughter of Samuel Lavery, a mason.
James and Mary McConnell (nee Lavery) had five children:
William Robert (born 23 September 1882 at Market Street, Newtownards
James (born 22 November 1883 at Whitespots, Newtownards)
Samuel (born 26 August 1886 at 6 Cable Street, Belfast)
Hugh Lavery (born 28 August 1888 at 32 Dundee Street, Belfast)
Mary Lavery (born 15 April 1892 at 48 Brownlow Street, Belfast)
Their mother, Mary McConnell, died from tuberculosis at Movilla Street, Newtownards on 27 September 1892 (aged 27).
Their father, James McConnell, and Grace Dunn were married on 29 July 1895 in Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church, Newtownards. James McConnell a widowed labourer from Newtownards was a son of William McConnell, a labourer. Grace Dunn, a spinster from Newtownards was a daughter of Isaac Dunn, a labourer.
James and Grace McConnell (nee Dunn) had at least three children:
Isaac Dunn (born 9 October 1899 at Whitespots, Newtownards)
Samuel McCully (born 15 January 1901 at Whitespots, Newtownards; died of pertussis 20 January 1902 at Whitespots)
Grace (born 13 July 1902 at Whitespots, Newtownards)
Hugh McConnell and Eliza Jane (Lizzie) Campbell were married on 29 May 1908 in St Anne’s Parish Church of Ireland Cathedral, Belfast. Hugh McConnell (aged 22), a painter from 16 Glentilt Street, Belfast was a son of James McConnell, a labourer. Lizzie Campbell (aged 20) from 16 Glentilt Street, Belfast was a daughter of James Campbell, a stonecutter.
Eliza Jane McConnell died from tuberculosis at 16 Glentilt Street, Belfast on 19 June 1910 (aged 21).
In 1911 Hugh McConnell was living in Greenwell Street, Newtownards with his father and stepmother, James and Grace McConnell, and their surviving children Isaac and Grace.
Hugh McConnell enlisted on 24 May 1915 for the duration of the war, and it was noted that he was 5 feet 5¾ inches tall, and his stated age was 26. He served in ‘A’ Company 7th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers (No. 20017) and embarked at Southampton on 18 February 1916 on his way to France.
He sustained a shrapnel wound to his left thigh on 9 September 1916 and was transferred to hospital in England. When he was discharged, he was granted furlough from 30 September 1916 until 9 October 1916 at home – 87 Greenwell Street, Newtownards. It was expected that he would return to frontline service within three months.
Hugh McConnell deserted from the Army on 6 December 1916.