Andrew was born 7th September 1875 at Meenlougher, Castlefin, County Donegal.. His father, Robert Graham, was a school teacher and the family came to live at Claggan, Cookstown. Andrew immigrated to Australia in 1909-10 and had been a regular soldier. Just before he enlisted he had undergone an operation in hospital for varicose veins in both legs. On 14th Nov 1915, he was wounded in action. He arrived back in Australia in September 1917 and was finally discharged from the army on 18th March 1918. Andrew died at Sydney Hospital on 7th April 1918, from a heart condition. He was 43 years old.
Further Information
Andrew McClintock Graham was the son of Robert Graham and Barbara Mary Graham (nee McClintock). They were married about 1869.
Andrew was born 7th September 1875 at Meenlougher, Castlefin, County Donegal. He was one of ten children, seven surviving.
By 1877, the family has moved to live at Claggan, Cookstown, where Robert Graham was a school teacher.
Known family: Robert Graham, Barbara M Graham, William J C Graham 29 (born about 1872, Donegal), Andrew McClintock Graham (born 7th September 1875, Donegal), Wallace Graham (born 28th August 1877, Moneymore), Catherine Graham 16 (born 25th January 1880, Moneymore), Joseph Graham (born 12th December 1881, Moneymore), Robert Graham (born 13th April 1883, Moneymore), Catherine J Graham 16 (born 27th June 1884, Moneymore), Henry ‘Harry’ C Graham 15 (born 11th January 1886, Moneymore).
The 1901 census does not list Andrew as living with the family at house 13 in Clagan, Lisson Upper, County Londonderry. Both parents were retired National School Teachers.
Andrew immigrated to Australia around 1909-10.
The 1911 census does not list Andrew as living with the family at house 4 in Clagan Upper.
Just before he enlisted he had undergone an operation in hospital for varicose veins in both legs.
Andrew Graham had been a regular soldier serving with the Cape Mounted Rifles (Colonial Forces) before enlisting.
Andrew Graham enlisted with 1st Australian Imperial Forces at Casula, Liverpool, New South Wales, on 13th December 1915 when he was forty years of age.
He embarked at Sydney on board His Majesty’s Australian Transport “Nestor” on 9th April 1916 and disembarked at Alexandria.
On 29th May 1916 he left Alexandria on board His Majesty’s Transport “Migantic” and arrived at Plymouth on 7th June.
On 9th September of that same year he sailed for France. Andrew marched out of Etaples on 24th September and was taken on strength of the 19th Battalion in the field on 30th September.
Six weeks later, on 14th November, he was wounded in action. On 18th November he was admitted to hospital in Rouen suffering from a gunshot wound to the left foot which turned out to be serious. On 14th December 1916 he embarked on H S Western Australia at Rouen and was removed to hospital in England. Much hospital treatment followed but on 1st March he was transferred from the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, seriously ill. Three weeks later, on 23rd March he was discharged to the Depot, at Weymouth.
After boarding Transport ship “Euripides” 10th April 1917, his wounds were serious and he was admitted to the Montevideo Camp hospital. The foot injury was still giving trouble and on 3rd August he was returned to Australia to be discharged.
He arrived in Australia on 18th September 1917 and was finally discharged from the army on 18th March 1918.
Private Andrew McClintock Graham died at Sydney Hospital on 7th April 1918 from a heart condition. He was 43 years old.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 29th June 1918:
GRAHAM – 7th April, at Sydney Hospital of wounds received in France, Private A McClintock Graham, Australian Imperial Forces, second son of the late Robert Graham Esq, J.P., Claggan, Cookstown.
Private Andrew Graham was buried at Rockwood Cemetery, Sydney, Australia.
In later years his grave fell into disrepair and it was only in recent years that members of the Salvation Army took it upon themselves to restore it.
Private Andrew Graham is commemorated on Claggan Presbyterian Church Memorial, Cookstown and on Cookstown Cenotaph.
Private Andrew McClintock Graham does not appear in the Commonwealth War Graves list, even though his death is certainly related to wounds received in action.
