William McGaw was the eldest son of William and Mary McGaw. He was born on 19th July 1896 in Ballymoyle, Coagh. The 1901 census lists William as age 4, living with the family at house 17 in Ballylifford, Salterstown, County Londonderry. His father was a labourer. His mother was a housekeeper. At the outbreak of the First World War, William McGaw enlisted in Glasgow, joining the Highland Light Infantry. He later transferred to the Seaforth Highlanders. Private McGaw was wounded in action and taken to No 3 General Hospital at Le Treport. Private William McGaw died of his wounds on Wednesday 25th July 1917.
Further Information
William McGaw was the eldest son of William and Mary McGaw. William McGaw married Mary Keightley on 31st July 1895 in the district of Magherafelt.
William was born on 19th July 1896 in Ballymoyle, Coagh. County Tyrone. He was the eldest of at least five children.
The 1901 census lists William as age 4, living with the family at house 17 in Ballylifford, Salterstown, County Londonderry. His father was a labourer. His mother was a housekeeper.
Known family: William McGaw, Mary Keightly McGaw, William McGaw (born 19th July 1896), Mary McGaw (born 22nd May 1899), Augustus / Augustine McGaw (born 15th September 1901, died 14th June 1904, age 2), Annie McGaw (born 21st February 1904), Thomas McGaw (born 28th March 1906).
There appears to be no record of the family in the 1911 census, and GRONI records no children born (or died) after 2006. It is therefore suspected that the family moved, possibly to Scotland, for some years.
At the outbreak of the First World War, William McGaw enlisted in Glasgow, joining the Highland Light Infantry.
Private McGaw later transferred to the 9th Battalion of the Seaforth Highlanders, 9th (Scottish) Division.
Private McGaw was wounded in action and taken to No 3 General Hospital at Le Treport.
Private William McGaw died of his wounds on Wednesday 25th July 1917, just six days after his 21st birthday.
Private W V McGaw is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France. During the First World War, Le Treport was an important hospital centre.
The Scottish Evening Times Roll of Honour does not list Private W V McGaw. Nor does the Glasgow Roll of Honour book.
The CWGC record Private W V McGaw as the son of William and Mary Keightly McGaw of Ballylifford, Ballinderry Bridge, County Londonderry.
