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| Regiment/Service: |
9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
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| Date Of Birth: |
27/11/1897
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| Died: |
19/09/1918 (Died of Wounds) |
| Age: |
20 |
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| George McCracken was the eldest son of Joseph and Lizzie McCracken. He was born on 27th November 1897 in Castledawson. The family lived in Tamniarn, Castledawson. His father was a farm labourer. George McCracken enlisted in Cookstown and served with ‘D’ company, 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. His mother, Lizzie McCracken, died on 4th February 1917 in Castledawson. She was 41 years old. Three months later, their eldest daughter Mary died on 6th May 1917, age 18. Private George McCracken died on wounds on 19th September 1918. He was 20 years old. |
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| George McCracken was the eldest son of Joseph and Lizzie McCracken. Joseph McCracken married Elizabeth Woods on 6th August 1897 in the district of Magherafelt.
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| George McCracken was born on 27th November 1897 in Castledawson.
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| The 1901 census lists George as age 3 living with the family at house 61 in Tamniarn, Castledawson, County Londonderry. His father was a farm labourer.
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| The 1911 census lists George as age 13 living with the family at house 13 in Tamniarn, Castledawson. He was still at school.
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| Family: Joseph McCracken, Elizabeth McCracken (died 4th February 1917, age 41), George McCracken (born 27th November 1897), Mary Jane McCracken (born 11th May 1899, died 6th May 1917, age 18), Stephen Joseph McCracken (born 19th July 1901), John McCracken (born 22nd June 1903, died 8th April 1904), Elizabeth McCracken (born 18th May 1905), Samuel McCracken (born 18th April 1907), William McCracken (born 29th April 1909), Margaret McCracken (born 28th January 1911), Sarah McCracken (born 14th May 1912), Ina McCracken (born 29th September 1914).
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| George McCracken enlisted in Cookstown and served with ‘D’ company, 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
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| His mother, Lizzie McCracken, died on 4th February 1917 in Castledawson. She was 41 years old. Three months later, their eldest daughter Mary died on 6th May 1917, age 18.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 2nd March 1918: Castledawson
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| The following soldiers have been enjoying home leave:- Lance Corporal William Shanks, M.M.; Lance Corporal Bob Woods; Private Jack Harte, M.M.; Dan McCormack, Francis Hueston, John Anderson, Australians; George McCracken and James McKnight.
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| Private George McCracken died of wounds on 19th September 1918. He was 20 years old.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 3rd October 1918:
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| MCCRACKEN – 18th September, died of wounds, No. 27419 Private George McCracken, 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
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‘For King and country, firm he stood,
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Unknown to coward’s fears;
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On the plains of France he fought and died,
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With the Ulster Volunteers.’
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| Inserted by his loving uncle, aunt and cousins, Robert Bell, wife and family, Killymoon Street, Cookstown.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th October 1918: Castledawson
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| At the annual meeting of L.O.L. No 97, Castledawson, all the officers were reelected. Letters of sympathy were directed to be forwarded to Brother Joseph McCracken (son) killed in action, and to Brother Sergeant Bob Woods (wounded) on the death of his mother. Feeling references were made to the loss sustained by the lodge in the death of Brother Lance Corporal William Shanks, killed in action.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 24th October 1918: Private George McCracken
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| Private George McCracken, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, eldest son of Mr Joseph McCracken. Hillhead, Castledawson, who died from wounds received in action on 18th September 1918. He had over three years’ service in France, and before joining was employed in Clark’s factory, Castledawson.
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| Private McCracken is buried in La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck, France.
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| He is commemorated on Castledawson War Memorial.
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| The CWGC record Private George McCracken as the son of Joseph and Elizabeth McCracken of Castledawson, County Londonderry.
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