Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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Date Information
07/09/2021 It is believed that Private Michael McGurk is listed on Dungannon War Memorial.
01/05/2020 02205
25/03/2018 Michael McGurk enlisted in Belfast, joining the Leinster Regiment, Regimental No. 1732. There is some confusion regarding this as his National Archive medal card states he joined the Leicestershire Regiment. This seems unlikely.
25/03/2018 Michael was born about 1886 in Pomeroy, County Tyrone. He was one of at least three children.
25/03/2018 Family: Alice McGurk, James McGurk (born about 1881), Mary McGurk (born about 1884), Michael McGurk (born about 1886).
25/03/2018 The family moved to Belfast.
25/03/2018 The 1901 census lists Michael as age 15, living with the family at house 14 in Lanark Street, Woodvale Ward, Belfast. He had left school and was a general labourer.
25/03/2018 Michael McGurk and Mary Ellen Bloomer were married on 6th June 1909 in Belfast.
25/03/2018 It is believed they may have gone on to have up to four children, although this cannot be confirmed currently.
25/03/2018 Michael McGurk was the son of Alice McGurk.
25/03/2018 The 1911 census also records that his mother and sister were living at house 46 in Norfolk Street, just a few doors away.
25/03/2018 Private McGurk later transferred to the Labour Corps.
25/03/2018 In early April 1918 Private McGurk was seriously wounded and taken to hospital at Wimereux.
25/03/2018 Private Michael McGurk was serving with the 712th Company of the Labour Corps when he died of his wounds at Wimereux on Thursday 18th April 1918.
25/03/2018 Private Michael McGurk is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery in France. Oddly he is listed on his headstone as being with the Leinster Regiment.
25/03/2018 The CWGC record Private Michael McGurk as the son of Alice McGurk of Belfast. He is also recorded as the husband of Mary Ellen McGurk of 61 Norfolk Street, Belfast.
25/03/2018
25/03/2018 The 1911 census lists Michael as age 25, living with his wife at house 53 in Norfolk Street, Falls, Belfast. He was a flax rougher. Two of his brother-in-laws were also living with them.
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