| Hugh Lennox was the son of Eccles and Martha Lennox. Eccles Lennox & Martha Tomb were married in September 1881 in Glasgow.
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| By 1883 the family were living in the Magherafelt area.
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| Hugh Lennox was born on 11th April 1892 in the Bellaghy, Magherafelt. He was one of sixteen children.
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| Known family: Eccles Lennox, Martha Lennox, Eccles Lennox (born 29th January 1883), Lizzie Ann Lennox (born 2nd January 1885), William James Lennox (born 25th September 1887), Bella Jane Lennox (born about 1890), Hugh Lennox (born 11th April 1892), Silas Lennox (born 26th May 1894), Hannah Lennox (born 16th April 1897), George Lennox (born 20th July 1899). All listed were born in the Magherafelt area.
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| Hugh Lennox was a pupil at Oldtown National School.
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| After leaving school he worked at the nearby Millburn Factory.
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| There is no listing of the Lennox family in the 1901 census, and no more children can be found in the GRONI records, so it is assumed they moved to Scotland.
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| Hugh was well known in Cookstown as a football player.
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| Hugh’s father, Eccles Lennox, died in Canada after leaving wife Martha and 5 of their children in Glasgow. Eccles Lennox was murdered 17 November 1908. He had been working at Portage La Prairie for Grand Trunk Railroad and sent $500 home to wife in Scotland. Several versions of death, trial, etc. available on-line.
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| Hugh moved to Glasgow, where he joined the army, estimated to be around 1909.
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| Again, there is no census listing can be found for Martha and the family in the 1911 Irish Census so it is assumed that they were in Scotland.
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| Hugh’s brother Eccles Lennox had been discharged early in the war after he’d been gassed.
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| Another brother, Silas Lennox, died from fever in Mesopotamia on the 22nd June 1916.
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| Hugh Lennox was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders when he was wounded in Salonika on 30th September 1916.
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| Lance Corporal Hugh Lennox was taken to the British Military Hospital, Salonika. He was thought to be recovering well and just two hours before his death, he wrote to his mother. It was evidently written with the greatest difficulty, and in the left hand. It shows the brave spirit and kindly thought of the dying soldier.
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| ‘Dear Mother, I got a little bit of a shot on 30th September 1916 so I must stay in hospital. Of course, my right hand or arm is a bit sore. The doctors and nurses say I am very good at healing. I expect to be home soon, to look out for your old dear. Your loving Son, Hugh.’
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| Lance Corporal Hugh Lennox died of his wounds on 9th October 1916. He was 24 years old.
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| At the time of Lance Corporal Hugh Lennox’s death, his mother was living in Coagh Street, Cookstown.
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| At the time of his death Hugh Lennox had two other brothers still serving, along with three sons-in-law, one of whom is a prisoner in Germany.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 4th November 1916:
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| Lance Corporal Hugh Lennox, Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, son of Mrs Martha Lennox, Coagh Street, Cookstown, who died on 9th October in Salonika, from wounds received in action on 30th September. The deceased, who had seven years of service, was a pupil of Oldtown National School, and was employed at Millburn Factory prior to going to Glasgow, where he joined the army. He was well known in Cookstown as a football player, and a clean living straightforward lad. Since the official intimation of his death his mother has received the following letter from Rev. S J M Campton, Presbyterian Chaplain to the Forces:-
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| ‘Dear Mrs Lennox, I regret very much that I have to write you concerning the passing away of your son on active service. He was wounded on the chest when his regiment was advancing against the enemy on 30th September and was sent down here from the front. While in hospital here his condition was regarded as dangerous for a time, but we had hopes that he would recover and be restored to you. But God willed it otherwise, and your son is now numbered among those who have fought the good fight and finished their course. I was with him when he passed away at 7 o’clock on Monday evening. He just slipped away without any pain and in peace. This thought of his end, I am sure, will comfort you, and you can be easy in your mind about the care and attention which he received since he came to the hospital, shortly after his wounding. He had the best surgical treatment and his nurses were very kind to him. They thought him patient and without trouble. I took his body and laid it to rest in the military cemetery here, where his comrades, who have passed away, are lying at rest. The photograph enclosed, although a small one, will give you some idea of the cemetery where your son lies buried. The enclosed letter was written by your son to you just about two hours before he passed away. The nurse in charge gave it to me and I send it on to you just as it is. You see how well he was almost up to the last, and how his thoughts were of home and you. Shortly after writing it he became unconscious and the end came as I have said. My sympathy goes out to you and I pray that God will enable you by His Grace to bear your sorrow bravely.’
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| The letter referred to as written by the deceased so near to his death was evidently written with the greatest difficulty, and in the left hand. It shows the brave spirit and kindly thought of the dying soldier. It was on Red Cross paper, and in the British Military Hospital, Salonika, and runs:-
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| ‘Dear Mother, I got a little bit of a shot on 30th September 1916 so I must stay in hospital. Of course, my right hand or arm is a bit sore. The doctors and nurses say I am very good at healing. I expect to be home soon, to look out for your old dear. Your loving Son, Hugh.’
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| The photo of the cemetery at Salonika shows an expansive, well-kept graveyard, thickly dotted with crosses and sheltered on one side by a row of great verdant trees. This is the second son of Mrs Lennox to pass away on active service, Silas dying from fever in Mesopotamia on 22nd June last. Another son, Eccles, was gassed early in the war so badly that he has since been discharged. Two other sons are still serving, and three sons-in-law, one of whom is a prisoner in Germany.
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| Lance Corporal Hugh Lennox is buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery in Greece.
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| The CWGC record Lance Corporal Hugh Lennox as the son of Mrs M. Lennox of 61 Cowlairs Road, Springburn, Glasgow
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