7th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
07/11/1888
Died:
21/03/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age:
29
Summary
Laurence McKenna was the son of Laurence and Bridget McKenna. He was born on 7th November 1888 in Kildress, Cookstown. He was the third of four sons. The family farmed and lived in Killucan, Killeenan, Lance Corporal Laurence McKenna was serving with the 7/8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on Thursday 21st March 1918.
Further Information
Laurence McKenna was the son of Laurence and Bridget McKenna. Laurence McKenna and Bridget Loughran were married on 26th February 1884 in the district of Cookstown.
Laurence was born on 7th November 1888 in Kildress, Cookstown. He was the third of four sons.
Family: Laurence McKenna, Bridget McKenna, Francis McKenna (born 30th January 1885), James McKenna (born 1st December 1886), Laurence McKenna (born 7th November 1888), John McKenna (born 25th August 1891).
The 1901 census lists Laurence as age 12, living with the family at house 27 in Killucan, Killeenan, County Tyrone. He was still at school. His father was a farmer.
The 1911 census lists Laurence as age 22, living with the family at house 4 in Killucan, Killeenan. They were a farming family.
Laurence enlisted with the 7th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in Pomeroy.
On 23rd August 1917 the 7th Battalion and 8th Battalion amalgamated to form the 7/8th Battalion.
Laurence had been promoted to Lance Corporal and had gained vast experience.
By the time of the German Spring Offensive he had been through many of the main engagements of the First World War.
A surprise attack came on the morning of the 21st March 1918. A dense clinging mist enveloped everything and visibility was limited. The battalion became involved in heavy hand to hand fighting. The battalion were routed and forced to withdraw, leaving wounded and dying men where they lay.
Lance Corporal Laurence McKenna was serving with the 7/8th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on Thursday 21st March 1918.
Lance Corporal McKenna has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France.
