Francis McMath was the son of James and Margaret McMath (nee Boyd). Francis was born on 20th February 1874 in the parish of Carrowdore, near Donaghadee in County Down. He worked and lived in Cookstown while he was an instructor with the Ulster Volunteer Force in County Tyrone. He was well known in all parts County Tyrone. Francis McMath enlisted in Belfast with the 122nd Royal Engineers in October 1914 as a Sapper. With a couple of days he was promoted to Sergeant. In February, he was promoted to Company Sergeant Major. He embarked for France on 4th October 1915. Francis McMath died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head while on active service at Louvencourt. CSM McMath had been under close arrest at the time and was due to travel to HQ that morning to answer Court Martial charges.
