| Alexander McIlree was the son of John and Eliza Martha McIlree (nee McGee). Alexander was born was born in Annahavil near Cookstown on 29th September 1890.
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| Known family: John McIlree, Eliza Martha McIlree, Herbert McIlree, Andrew McIlree, Elizabeth McIlree (born 14th February 1871), John McIlree (16th October 1872), William McIlree (born 21st January 1875), Robert McIlree (born 28th May 1877), David McIlree (born 27th September 1879), Hessie McIlree (born 26th May 1882), Samuel McIlree (18th July 1884), Leslie McIlree (born 27th May 1886), Mary Martha McIlree (born about 1889), Alexander Sandy McIlree (born 29th September 1890), Maggie Agnes McIlree (born 3rd June 1893).
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| The 1901 census lists ‘Sandy’ as 10 years old at house 6 in Duffless in Tullaghoge, County Tyrone. John McIlree was an agricultural labourer.
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| After leaving school, Sandy McIlree worked for Alexander Barclay at Drapersfield.
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| The 1911 census lists Sandy as 19 living with the family at house 23 in Tullyveagh Red Row Village, Coagh, County Tyrone.
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| He was a member of Knockinroe LOL. 194.
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| Alexander McIlree enlisted in Cookstown in November 1913, joining the Inniskillings.
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| He was one of eight boys from the same family to join up for service during the First World War.
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| 1915
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| From the Tyrone Courier dated 21 January 1915:
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| Cookstown Family Record : Mrs McIlree of Draperstown, Cookstown, has eight sons serving in the army at present, which probably constitutes a record for Tyrone. John and David are at present at Randalstown, in the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Herbert and Andrew are in the North Irish Horse; Leslie is in the 6th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; which has gone to the front lately; William is in the Welsh Mountain Artillery; Sandy is in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Samuel is in the Field Artillery at the front.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 21st January 1915: Cookstown Family’s Record
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| Mrs McIlree of Drapersfield, Cookstown, has eight sons serving in the army at present, which probably constitutes a record for County Tyrone. John and David are at present at Randalstown, in the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Herbert and Andrew are in the North Irish Horse; Leslie is in the 6th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; which has gone to the front lately; William is in the Welsh Mountain Artillery; Sandy is in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Samuel is in the Field Artillery at the front. Three of them (John, David and Andrew) have South African war medals. John and Andrew were also in the Indian frontier war, 1897-98.
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| Early in 1915 his mother received a letter from Buckingham Palace after the Rector of Ardtrea, the Reverend W.E.R. Scott, wrote and told the King about Mrs McIlree having 8 sons serving in the army.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 9th February 1915: Eight Sons on the Army – Tyrone Mother congratulated by the King
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| The rector of Ardtrea having written to the King to inform his Majesty of the fact that his parishioner, Mrs McIlree, has eight sons in the army, the following letter has been received for transmission to Mrs McIlree:-
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| Privy Purse Office, Buckingham Palace, 1st February 1915. Madam, I have the honour to inform you that the King has heard with much interest that you have at the present eight sons in the army. I am commanded to express to you the King’s congratulations, and to assure you that his Majesty much appreciates the spirit of patriotism which prompted this example, in one family, of loyalty and devotion to their Sovereign and Empire. I have the honour to be Madam, your obedient servant. F Ponsonby, Keeper of the Privy Purse.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 13th February 1915: The Fighting McIlrees
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There is a widow in Tyrone,
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Who is living all alone,
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As the nations meet in deadly clash of arms;
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But the King upon his throne,
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Knows she given all her own,
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To keep the country safe from war’s alarm.
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Who else has given eight sons
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To face the foeman’s guns –
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Is it not the limit of a mother’s love?
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Whilst some will grudge but one,
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To fight the cruel Hun,
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And ‘frightful menace from our homes remove.
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That mother may be proud,
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And may praises, long and loud,
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Await her and her valiant family;
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For you’ll search in vain today
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Amid the battle fray
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For a record like the house of McIlree
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Napoleon once replied,
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When asked, ‘Who best has tried,
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Amongst women, to do service to your realm?’
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‘Tis she, who has gladly given,
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The most sons sent her by Heaven,
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To gird the sword and don the battle helm.’
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Oh gallant Brothers Eight
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May ‘peace, with honour’ wait,
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Upon your splendid fight for Britain’s sake;
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And may all those who falter
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To enlist, know that’s a halter,
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Hangs above the head of all that’s now at stake.
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Once let the tyrant stand
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Upon you native land,
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‘Twill be too late to crush him, and there’ll be
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Such slaughter that you’ll pray,
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Upon that dreadful day,
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That you’d been a son of Widow McIlree.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 13th February 1915: Eight Sons in the Army
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| The rector of Ardtrea wrote to the King to inform him of his parishioner, Mrs McIlree, having eight sons in the army. He received a reply and an enclosed letter for her – a copy of which is as follows:-
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| Privy Purse Office, Buckingham Palace, 1st February 1915. Madam, I have the honour to inform you that The King has heard with much interest that you have at the present moment, eight sons in the army. I am commanded to express to you The King’s congratulations, and to assure you that His Majesty much appreciates the spirit of patriotism which prompted this example, in one family, of loyalty and devotion to their Sovereign and Empire. I have the honour to be madam, your obedient servant. F PONSONBY, Keeper of the Privy Purse. Mrs McIlree.
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| Private Alex McIlree was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action during a night attack on enemy positions on the eve of the Battle of Festubert on Sunday 16th May 1915.
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| Private McIlree’s body was discovered on the battlefield by two soldiers from the 1st Manchester Regiment. In forwarding home his personal belongings they sent a letter saying that he had fallen in action near them, being struck by shell shrapnel.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 26th June 1915: Gunner Samuel McIlree (brother of Alexander McIlree)
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| Gunner Samuel McIlree, Royal Field Artillery, writing to his wife, Mrs McIlree, Drapersfield says:-
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| ‘We had a big day’s bombarding here on 16th June, and I am glad to say the victory was for us as we took three lines of trenches from the Germans, but we lost a good few of our men during the charge, and we are waiting on them making a counter attack. It was something terrible for twelve hours, but we got what we wanted, and are still holding it. We have got great praise from General French for our work in the charge. We want all the men we can get here at present as it is the stronghold of the fighting line. The Germans have done their best to break through but have still been beaten back. The Germans are a treacherous lot of baby killers and gas users, but thank God the gas sometimes goes back to their own trenches. The last bombardment here was simply awful with bursting shrapnel and gas shells, but we escaped with a few wounded. Some of our battery have won the V.C. for bravery on the field. My overcoat is like a lemon from the smoke of the gas shells, but I am thankful that I have such good luck so far.’
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 10th July 1915: Roll of Honour - Private Alexander McIlree
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| Information has been received by the relatives of Private Alexander McIlree, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, from soldiers at the front stating that he was killed in an engagement on 15th May. A private in the 1st Manchester Regiment wrote that he found him dead on the battlefield, and that he died a soldier’s death, fighting for his King and country. Another private in the same regiment, in forwarding the personal belongings, found at Private McIlree’s side, says he was in action close to him and thinks he must have been hit by a piece of shell, and hopes they have already received information about his death from the War Office before receipt of his letter. The late Private McIlree was only 23 years of age, and enlisted in the Inniskillings in November 1913. He has seven brothers serving in the army at the present time. Before the war broke out he was in the employment of Mr Alexander Barclay, Drapersfield. He was an enthusiastic member of Knockinroe L.O.L. No 194, and was a great favourite with everyone who knew him.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 20th November 1915: Private D McIlree in France (brother of Alexander McIlree)
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| Private D McIlree, who is in France in the Ulster Division, writing to his sister at Drapersfield on 9th November, says he is well and is proud to once again have on the uniform, and to have so many brothers serving their country. Referring to his brother Alex, killed in action, he says it was in a good cause and he is himself prepared for a like fate on behalf of the cause should it be demanded of him. He says it is no picnic at the front at present, but all are cheerful. The writer is one of the six sons of Widow McIlree, all of whom are soldiers, the youngest having fallen.
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| 1916
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 13th May 1916:
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| McILREE – In loving memory of 4304 Private Alexander McIlree, killed in action in France on 16th May 1915.
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‘Short was thy life, my darling son, but peaceful was thy rest,
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Mother misses you most of all, because she loved you the best’
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| Inserted by his sorrowing mother.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 13th May 1916:
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| McILREE – In loving remembrance of Private Alexander McIlree (4304), who was killed in France on May 16 1915.
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‘We often think of days gone by, when we were all together,
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A shadow over our life is cast, a brother gone forever’
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| Inserted by his sorrowing brothers and sisters
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| World War 2
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 8th June 1940: (Private Leslie McIlree - brother of Alexander McIlree)
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| Most of the Cookstown men who served with the British Expeditionary Force in Flanders are reported safe. Some have been home on leave, others have written from England, but at the time going to press no official information as to the whereabouts of several men have been received. Mrs Gildea of Union Street, Cookstown, was notified by the War Office on Thursday that her husband, Sergeant Thomas Gildea, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, has been posted as missing.
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| On Saturday last, Privates Jim McCullagh, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, of Milburn Street and Thomas Talbot, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, of Donaghrisk, arrived home on short leave and returned on Monday. Private McCullagh however got further leave, reaching home again during the week.
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| Two members of the Pioneer Corps, Private Leslie McIlree of Maloon, and Private Robert Hamilton of Gortalowry, also got leave. Private McIlree, who saw service through most of the Great War with the Royal Field Artillery, is probably the oldest war veteran in the district to volunteer for service on the outbreak of the present hostilities. He had six brothers in the Great War, and he has two sons at present on active service.
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| Our readers will understand that it is not possible for a newspaper to possess a list of all men from the locality who are serving in the Forces, and they will greatly assist us if they inform us promptly of any official intimation they receive as to relatives wounded, missing or killed in action. We are not permitted to publish such information until ‘official’ notification has been received by relatives concerned.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 15th June 1940: (Private John McIlree - brother of Alexander McIlree)
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| Mrs Curran of Drapersfield has been officially notified that her son, Seaman A Curran, is reported missing. He was serving on the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Glorious, believed lost in action in Norwegian waters recently. He had several years service in the Navy.
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| Intimation was received on Thursday by Mr Robert Larmour of Killymoon Street, Cookstown, that his son, Private R Larmour, R.I.F., is missing. Local men who were with British Expeditionary Force in Flanders who are at present on leave include:-
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Private J Larmour, R.U.R., of Orritor Street, Cookstown who was wounded in the leg and his brother Private W Larmour, R.I.F., of Killymoon Street
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Private John McIlree, R.I.F., of Maloon
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Sergeant Thomas McGeown, Royal Field Artillery, of Killymoon Street
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Private E Cosgrove, R.I.F., of Orritor Street
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Private Victor Stirrup, R.I.F., of Coagh Street
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Private J Creggan, Pioneer Corps, of Killymoon Street
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Private James Corey, Pioneer Corps, of Fountain Road
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Sergeant R Nixon, Royal Artillery, of Coagh Street
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Private P Hagan, Royal Artillery, of Fortview
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Sapper Cecil Lee, Royal Engineers, of Red Brae, Tullywiggan
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Private W Campbell, Pioneer Corps, of Fortview
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 1st August 1942: Sergeant McIlree Missing - John McIlree (nephew of Alexander McIlree)
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| Official notification has been received by Mrs J McIlree, of Colwick, Nottingham, that her husband, Sergeant John Burns McIlree, is missing in the Middle East. Sergeant McIlree and his family are all well-known soldiers in Cookstown. His seven uncles served in the Great War, and those who were able to have joined up again. He belonged to the Apprentice Boys, and in letters to his wife, he mentioned how some Ulster boys has held a Twelfth of their own in Egypt last year. He was serving with a battery of the Royal Artillery, and was overseas for eighteen months.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th September 1942: Tyrone Man Captive - John McIlree (nephew of Alexander McIlree)
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| Mrs J McIlree, of Vale Road, Culwick, Nottingham, who recently received intimation that her husband, Sergeant John Burns McIlree, was missing in the Middle East, has now been informed that he is a prisoner of war. Sergeant McIlree is a native of County Tyrone and his family are all well-known in Cookstown. His seven uncles served in the Great War and those who were able signed up again.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 30th January 1943: John McIlree (nephew of Alexander McIlree)
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| Mrs McIlree. of Auglish, Cookstown, has been informed that her husband, Corporal John McIlree, of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, has been wounded on active service. His only brother is already reported wounded, and their father, Private Leslie McIlree, is also serving with the Forces.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 11th December 1943:
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| A few weeks ago, official notification was received by Mrs McIlree of Nottingham thet her husband, Sergeant John Burns McIlree, serving in the Middle East, was missing. He was a member of a military family who belonged to Ardtrea parish, and had seven uncles serving in the Great War (1914-18). He was an Apprentice Boy and an Orangeman and wrote home that he and some other boys celebrated the Twelfth in Egypt last year. He was in the Royal Artillery and had been overseas for eighteen months when reported missing. News has just been received that he was taken at Tobruk and was a captive in Italy, but succeeded in escaping and re-joining his unit, and his wife is expecting him home for Christmas. A sister of the sergeant is Mrs William Fulton of Coagh Street, Cookstown, and a cousin was recently home on furlough.
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| Alexander McIlree has no known grave and is commemorated on panel 16-17 on Le Touret Memorial, France.
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| Private Alex McIlree is also commemorated on Cookstown Cenotaph and St Andrew’s Ardtrea Church of Ireland Roll of Honour.
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| All seven other sons survived the war
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| The McIlree family sons :-
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Herbert McIlree (North Irish Horse)
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Andrew McIlree (1st Royal Irish Fusiliers / North Irish Horse)
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John McIlree (Private, 6th Royal Irish Fusiliers)
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William McIlree (Welsh Mountain Artillery)
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Robert McIlree
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David McIlree (Corporal, 9th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers)
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Samuel McIlree (Royal Field Artillery)
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Leslie McIlree (Private, 6th Royal Irish Fusiliers / Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers)
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Alexander Sandy McIlree (Private, 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died)
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