Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
ff
20773   Private Wilson McConnell
Save as PDF
Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 21/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 05/01/1884
Died: 01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age: 32
Summary      
Wilson McConnell was a son of John and Elizabeth McConnell (nee Wilson). Wilson McConnell was born on 5th January 1884 in Trillick, in the district of Omagh. By 1901 the family were living in Clogher. Like his father, was an agricultural labourer. Wilson enlisted at Coatbridge in Scotland. He is recorded as living in Moneymore at the time. Wilson was married to Sarah Loughlin McConnell. Private Wilson McConnell was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st June 1916. Private McConnell was originally listed as missing.
Further Information
Wilson McConnell was a son of John and Elizabeth McConnell (nee Wilson).
Wilson McConnell was born on 5th January 1884 in Trillick, in the district of Omagh.
Known family: John McConnell, Eliza McConnell, Robert McConnell (born 11th February 1882), Wilson McConnell (born 5th January 1884), Kate McConnell (born about 1886), Thomas McConnell (born 15th February 1887).
The 1901 census lists Wilson as age 17, living with the family at house 18 in Clogher Demesne, Clogher, County Tyrone. Wilson had left school and, like his father, was working as an agricultural labourer.
Wilson McConnell enlisted at Coatbridge in Scotland. He is recorded as living in Moneymore at the time.
Medal card
Wilson was married to Sarah Loughlin McConnell.
Private Wilson McConnell arrived in France in October 1915.
They were encamped at the small French villages of Mesnil and Martinsart, and much of the following months were spent training with more experienced units on the Western Front.
Private Wilson McConnell was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on Saturday 1st June 1916. Private McConnell was originally listed as missing.
Private Wilson McConnell has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
The CWGC record Private Wilson McConnell as the son of John and Elizabeth McConnell, of Ballinanallard, Country Fermanagh. He is also recorded as the husband of Sarah Lauchlan McConnell, of Brown's Land, Gartcosh, Glasgow.
Read more
Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Moneymore area Moneymore Lived in Moneymore area 54.689920 -6.669300
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists McConnell family 1901 census lists Wilson as age 17 at house 18 in Clogher Demesne, Clogher, Tyrone
2 Forum discussion (GWF) Details of Private Wilson McConnell
3 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023