| Hugh McIvor was the son of Francis and Nancy McIvor. Hugh was born in Moneymore about 1883.
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| The 1901 census lists a Hugh McIvor working as a farm servant for the Campbell family at Drumrot, Moneyhaw, County Londonderry. He was 19 years old.
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| Hugh ‘McKeever’ married Maud Houston on 14th September 1906 in Magherafelt town.
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| Their family: Hugh McIvor, Maud McIvor, William McIvor (born 1st January 1907), Margaretta McIvor (born 7th April 1911), Robert McIvor (born 19th July 1913).
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| The 1911 census shows Hugh, Maud and William living with Maud’s parents, the Houstons, in Queen Street in Magherafelt. Hugh was a farm labourer and Maud was a dressmaker.
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| Hugh McIvor enlisted with the 10th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Newtownards.
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| In February 1916 the Battalion arrived in France.
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| Private Hugh McIvor was killed in action on 8th September 1916. He was in the trenches when a sniper’s bullet hit him though the heart and he died practically instantaneously.
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| Private McIvor was the only man from the Battalion to be killed on that day. He was buried by the Church of Ireland clergyman, Rev Clifford.
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| He left behind a widow and three young children, the oldest being 9 years old.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 23rd September 1916:
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| McIVOR – killed in action on 8th September, Private Hugh McIvor (27973), Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Ulster Division), dearly beloved husband of Maud McIvor, Queen Street, Magherafelt.
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‘And they who with their leader, Have conquered in the flight.
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Forever and for ever, are clad in robes of white.’
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| Deeply regretted by his wife and children.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 23rd September 1916: Private H McIvor
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| Mrs McIvor, Queen Street, Magherafelt, has received official intimation that her husband, Private Hugh McIvor, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, was killed on 8th September by a sniper while doing duty in the trenches. His widow and three young children are left to mourn his loss, and the utmost sympathy is felt for them in their great sorrow. The following letter from Lieutenant Colonel Macrory has been received by Mrs McIvor.
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| ‘It is with the greatest sorrow that I write to let you know that your husband, No 27973 Private Hugh McIvor, of 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, lost his life on the evening of the 8th whilst doing his duty gallantly in the trenches. A sniper’s bullet hit him though the heart and he died practically instantaneously. He was buried yesterday by the Church of Ireland clergyman, Rev Clifford. On behalf of all his comrades here, let me assure you how deeply we sympathise with you in your loss. Your husband was a fine soldier, and has died doing his duty for King and Country.’
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| Private Hugh McIvor is buried in Pond Farm Cemetery, Belgium.
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| After the war when these Cemeteries were being built his wife had the following inscription engraved on the headstone, ‘Thy will be done, In Loving Memory of my dear Husband’
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| The CWGC record Private Hugh McIvor as the son of Frances and Nancy McIvor, of Moneymore, Co. Londonderry and also as the husband of Maud McIvor, of Queen Street, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry.
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