12th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
18/12/1900
Died:
21/11/1918 (Died of Illness)
Age:
17
Summary
Mervyn Jack McGeown was the son of William and Mary McGeown. Mervin was born on 18th December 1900 in the Cookstown area. By the time of 1911 census, Mervyn’s mother had died. Mervyn and his father lived with his in-laws, the Fergusons, in Killymoon Street, Cookstown. He enlisted in December 1916. He was discharged in June 1917, after 166 days service, due to sickness. He died on 21st November 1918 in Cookstown. He was 17 years old.
Further Information
Mervyn Jack McGeown was the son of William and Mary McGeown. Mervin was born on 18th December 1900 in the Cookstown area.
The census lists Mervyn J as a baby at house 2 in Coolnahavil, Cookstown. William was a "bread driver" by trade. Mary was a linen weaver. Mervyn was less than a year old.
Family: William McGeown, Mary McGeown, Anna Isabella McGeown (born 21st November 1899), Mervyn Jack McGeown (born 18th December 1900), Edith McGeown (born 18th February 1903, died 19th May 1904), Thomas James McGeown (born 24th June 1905).
By the time of 1911 census, Mervyn’s mother had died, seemingly between June 1905 and 1911. She would have been in her early thirties. Mervyn and his father lived with his in-laws, the Fergusons, in Killymoon Street, Cookstown. These included Mary’s father and her brother and sister. William was now a gardener. Mervyn Jack was 11 years old and still at school.
Mervyn McGeown enlisted on 23rd December 1916. He stated his age on enlisting as age 18 years and 3 months. He listed his father as his next of kin, who was living at Killymoon Street, Cookstown.
Private Mervyn McGeown served with the 12th Royal Inniskilling/Irish Fusiliers.
Private Mervyn McGeown was discharged on 14th June 1917, after 166 days service, due to sickness.
Mervyn Jack McGeown died on 21st November 1918 in Cookstown. He was 17 years old.
Mervyn Jack McGeown is commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph and on St Luran’s Church of Ireland Roll of Honour (as M J McGeown), Derryloran Cookstown.
Mervyn Jack McGeown is NOT commemorated with the CWGC.
