McConnell, Joseph
Rifleman
No. 18/996, 12th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Sunday 12 August 1917 (aged 31)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium (Panel 40)
Donaghadee and District War Memorial
Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church
Family grave headstone in Donaghadee Parish Church Graveyard
BIOGRAPHY
In some records his surname is spelt McConnel.
Joseph McConnell was born on 13 September 1885 in Herdstown, Donaghadee and he was a son of Joseph and Mary McConnell (nee McGaghey, sometimes McGahey, sometimes McGhaughy, sometimes McGaughey) who were married on 11 December 1867 in Newtownards Registrar’s Office.
The McConnell family lived in the townland of Herdstown, Donaghadee and later in Moat Street, Donaghadee
Joseph McConnell Senior worked as a farm labourer and he and Mary had eight children including:
Alexander (born 9 October 1867 in Cottown)
Joseph (born 30 August 1870 in Herdstown; died 8 January 1875)
Charlotte Campbell (born 30 March 1876 in Herdstown; died 13 March 1877)
Sarah (born 13 July 1880 in Herdstown; died of phthisis 8 August 1900 aged 20)
Charlotte (born 19 February 1883 in Herdstown; died 17 July 1962 aged 79)
Joseph (born 13 September 1885 in Herdstown)
Ellen Crothers (born 7 August 1888 in Herdstown)
The first six of these children were baptised in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church.
Mary McConnell was widowed when her husband Joseph died on 29 January 1891 (aged 46) and she worked as an embroiderer. Mary died on 31 July 1913 (aged 64). These details are from the family grave headstone.
Joseph McConnell Junior worked as a farm labourer before the outbreak of the Great War, he enlisted in Belfast and served with the 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles in 108th Brigade of the 36th (Ulster) Division.
Rifleman Joseph McConnell (No. 18/996) was 31 when he was killed in action on 12 August 1917 whilst holding the line during the Third Battle of Ypres.
Rifleman Joseph McConnell (No. 18/996) has no known grave and he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium; on Donaghadee and District War Memorial; in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Church and on the family grave headstone in Donaghadee Parish Church of Ireland Graveyard.