McConnell, Hugh

Died of disease on Sunday 4 March 1917 (aged 60)

Buried:

Newtownards (Movilla) Cemetery, Co. Down (Section 4)

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 burial register for Movilla Old Cemetery Newtownards he is described as a labourer who died of general debility (aged 60) on 4 March 1917.

Hugh McConnell’s wife Selina was present when he died at home in the townland of Ballywatticock, Newtownards.

Hugh McConnell and Selina Smith (sometimes Smyth) were married on 21 February 1879 in Newtownards Presbyterian Church.  Hugh McConnell, a servant from Ballycastle, was a son of Thomas McConnell.  Selina Smyth from Ballyblack was a daughter of Hugh Smyth, a weaver.

Hugh and Selina McConnell (nee Smyth) had seven children:

Sarah (born 29 December 1880 in Ballyhaft)

Mary (born 29 December 1883 in Ballyblack)

Eleanor Jane (born 14 September 1885 in Ballyhaft)

Hugh (born 12 December 1887 in Ballyhaft)

Elizabeth Smyth (born 27 June 1890 in Ballyhaft)

Selina (born 22 January 1896 in Ballywatticock)

William Thomas (born 1 April 1899 in Ballywatticock)