McPhillips, John
Rifleman
No. 9273, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Died of wounds on Saturday 11 August 1917 (aged 19)
Buried:
Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium (Grave VI. B. 1)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Newtownards and District War Memorial
BIOGRAPHY
In the Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 database it is recorded that John McPhillips was born in Donaghadee.
John McPhillips was born on 28 September 1897 in Moat Street, Donaghadee and it was recorded that he was a son of Patrick and Jane McPhillips (nee Patterson).
Patrick McPhillips worked as a labourer and he died of bronchitis and heart disease on 22 February 1898 (aged 52) in Mount Street, Donaghadee. Jane was with him when he died.
Jane McPhillips had a daughter, Eveline, born on 20 February 1900 in Newtownards Workhouse and in 1901 Jane, John and Eveline McPhillips were lodging in the townland of Ballyhay, Donaghadee with Eliza Strain, a widow and a general servant. The widowed Jane McPhillips also worked as a general servant.
John McPhillips enlisted in Clonmel, Co Tipperary and he served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.
Rifleman John McPhillips (No. 9273) was 19 when he died of wounds on 11 August 1917 during the fighting at Westhoek Ridge in Belgium. He was buried in Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium and he is commemorated on Newtownards and District War Memorial.
In the Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects his mother, Jane McClure, was his sole legatee.
On 6 October 1911 a Jane Patterson married Stewart McClure in Newtownards Reformed Presbyterian Church.