9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
Summary
Alexander McLernon was born in the parish of Derryloran, Cookstown, the husband of Sarah Jane McLernon (nee Nelson). He was employed at Gunning’s Factory, Milburn, Cookstown, before he enlisted with the 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. On 1st July 1916, when the 9th Inniskillings made their advance toward the Schwaben Redoudt, Alexander McLernon was seen to have been severely wounded. At the end of July, Mrs. Sarah Jane McLernon received a letter stating that all efforts to find her husband had failed and he hoped that he may still be alive and a prisoner of war.
Further Information
Alexander McLernon was the son of James and Matilda McLernon (nee Dougal). They were married on 27th November 1873 in Cookstown.
Alexander was born in the parish of Derryloran, Cookstown on 10th January 1875. His sister Margaret was born on 6th February 1879.
Alexander McLernon married Jane Wilson on 12th July 1900 in Cookstown.
There is some ambiguity as to whether this is the correct Alexander McLernon , but MOST of the facts seem to correlate.
The 1901 census lists Alexander as 24 years old. He was married to Jane. They had a new-born son called James. The family were living in a lane off Coagh Street in Cookstown.
The 1911 census shows they now had five surviving children (out of seven). They were living in Coolreaghs, Cookstown.
Known family: Alexander McLernon, Jane McLernon, James McLernon (born 29th January 1902), Matilda McLernon (born 14th October 1904), Sarah McLernon (born 23rd January 1907), Mary Elizabeth McLernon (born 28th November 1908), Alexander McLernon (born 7th January 1911), Henry McLernon (born 24th January 1912).
Alexander worked as a linen lapper. He was employed at Gunning’s Factory, Milburn, Cookstown
Alexander McLernon enlisted in Cookstown with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
He was training at Shane’s Park camp Randalstown, when his brother in law and close friend Private James Nelson took ill and died some time later from septic poisoning.
Alexander received permission to leave the camp to act as pall bearer at Private Nelson’s funeral on Friday 26th March 1915 at Ballygoney Presbyterian Church, Coagh.
On 1st July 1916, when the 9th Inniskillings made their advance toward the Schwaben Redoudt, Alexander McLernon was seen to have been severely wounded. This was reported later in a letter by Private Thomas Taylor of Waterloo Terrace, Cookstown.
At the end of July, Mrs McLernon received a letter from Colonel Ambrose Ricardo, stating that all efforts to find her husband had failed and he hoped that he may still be alive and a prisoner of war.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 5th August 1916: Private Alex McClernon Missing
Mrs McClernon, Morgan’s Hill, Cookstown, has received a letter from colonel Ricardo to the effect that all efforts to trace her husband, Private Alex McClernon, since the advance on 1st July have failed and that it is to be feared that he fell with other comrades on that occasion. He helped to uphold the honour of his regiment and to make the Ulster division famous. The letter concludes with sincere sympathy from all ranks. Mrs McClernon, who with her little ones, has the sympathy of all who know her in her grief and uncertainty, still entertains some hope that her husband may be wounded and a prisoner of war.
Alexander McLernon has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 4D-5B on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing on the Somme.
He is also commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph, Gunning’s Factory Memorial and on St. Luran’s Church of Ireland, Roll of Honour Derryloran, Cookstown.
