9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
10/03/1897
Died:
12/03/1916 (Died of Wounds)
Age:
19
Summary
Hamilton McReynolds was the youngest son of Hugh and Jean McReynolds. He was born at Donaghey, Sherrygroom on 10th March 1897. He was the second of four children. His father was an agricultural labourer. Prior to enlistment Hamilton was employed at Sessiagh, Stewartstown. He enlisted with the Inniskillings on 15th May 1915 and went to France with the Ulster Division. Private Hamilton McReynolds was severely wounded by shrapnel from enemy shell fire on the 9th March 1916. He died of wounds on Sunday 12th March 1916.
Further Information
Hamilton McReynolds was the youngest son of Hugh and Jean McReynolds. Hugh McReynolds and Jean Spratt were married on 17th May 1892 in the district of Cookstown.
Hamilton Patterson McReynolds was born at Donaghey, Sherrygroom on 10th March 1897. He was the second of four children.
The 1901 census lists Hamilton as age 4, living with the family at house 2 in Ross, Stewartstown. Hugh McReynolds was a farm servant.
Family: Hugh McReynolds, Jane McReynolds, William McReynolds (born 7th September 1893), Hamilton Patterson McReynolds (born 10th March 1897), Jane Boyd McReynolds (born 12th February 1899), Catherine McReynolds (born 19th March 1901).
The 1911 census lists Hamilton as age 14, living with the family at house 20 in Donaghey, Stewartstown. Hamilton was still at school. His father was an agricultural labourer.
Hamilton was a popular member of the Sherrygroom section of the Ulster Volunteer Force.
Hamilton McReynolds was a member of L.O.L. No 126.
Prior to enlistment Hamilton was employed by Mr Glendinning at Sessiagh, Stewartstown.
Hamilton McReynolds enlisted with the 12th Battalion Inniskillings on 15th May 1915 and later transferred to the 9th Battalion when they were posted to France with the Ulster Division.
Private Hamilton McReynolds was severely wounded by shrapnel from enemy shell fire on the 9th March 1916 and taken to Number 19 Casualty Clearing station where he died of wounds on Sunday 12th March 1916.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 30 March 1916:
Private Hamilton McReynolds, whose death has been reported from wounds received in action in France, belonged to the 9th Inniskilling Fusiliers. He enlisted in May with the 12th Battalion, and went out with the draft. He was 19 years old and a son of Mr H McReynolds, Donaghey, Sherrygroom.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 1st April 1916:
Private Hamilton McReynolds, 9th Royal Inniskillings, who died in the 18th Casualty Clearing Station, France, on 12th March, from wounds received in action. The deceased, who was only 19 years of age, was the second son of Mr Hugh McReynolds, Donaghy, Sherrygroom. He enlisted in the 12th Battalion on 15th May last, but was transferred to the 9th Battalion and went to France with the Ulster Division, where he remained up to the time of his death. He was a popular member of Sherrygroom section of the U.V.F., also a member of L.O.L. No. 126. Previous to enlistment he was in the employment of Mr Glendenning, Sessiagh, Stewartstown. Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo, commanding the battalion, writing to his father conveys his sympathy and that of all ranks, and adds that he was wounded on the 9th by shrapnel and received every attention possible. ‘He gave his life for his country and died on the field of honour, an example to his neighbours.’ Captain Weir writes that he was wounded in the fire trench. ‘All his fellow comrades sympathise with you in your bereavement, and desire me to express their regret. He was a good soldier and ever ready for duty, and very popular with the men in his platoon. We all hope he will find a place in heaven where all trouble and strife are unknown.’ Rev J H Kidd, chaplain to the forces, in a letter to his mother dated 14th March says her son died in the above station, and was buried on the 14th in a single grave with military honours. Thirty men attended the funeral and a party of six carried the coffin from the gate of the cemetery to the grave. The Church of England service was used, and the Last Post was sounded by three buglers. The writer sends his sympathy, and thinks the parents will like to know about the funeral. A cross has been erected over the grave and a Box edging, and some flowers are to be planted as soon as possible.
In a letter to his mother Jean, the Reverend J.H. Kidd, Chaplain of Forces said:
“Your son died at no: 19 Casualty Clearing Station on 12th March and was buried on the 14th in a single grave with full Military Honours. Thirty men attended the funeral and a party of six carried the coffin from gate to the grave. The Church of England service was used, and the Last Post was sounded by three buglers and a cross has been erected over the grave and a box edging, and some flowers will be planted as soon as possible.”
Private Hamilton McReynolds is buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No 1 at the Somme in France. The inscription on his grave reads:- YOUNGER SON OF HUGH & JEAN McREYNOLDS KILLYMOON STREET, COOKSTOWN IRELAND
Private Hamilton McReynolds is commemorated locally on Stewartstown Cenotaph and Donaghendry Church of Ireland Roll of Honour, Stewartstown.
The CWGC record Private Hamilton McReynolds as the youngest son of Hugh and Jean McReynolds of Killymoon Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone.
