Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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30745   Private William McCord
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 01/04/2024
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 16/10/1898
Died: 29/03/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 19
Summary      
William McCord was the son of William and Lucinda McCord. He was born in Desertlyn, Moneymore in October 1898. He was the oldest of at least thirteen children. His father was a farmer. They lived at Carmean, Moneymore. Private William McCord was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action near Aisne in France during the German Spring Offensive on Friday 29th March 1918.
Further Information
William McCord was the eldest son of William and Lucinda McCord. William McCord and Lucinda Wasson were married on 28th September 1897 in the district of Magherafelt.
William McCord was born in Desertlyn, Moneymore on 16th October 1898. He was the oldest of at least thirteen children.
The 1901 census lists William as age 2, living with the family at house 25 in Carmean, Brackaghslievegallion, County Londonderry. His father was a farmer.
Known family: William McCord, Lucinda McCord, William McCord (born 16th October 1898), Samuel McCord (born 31st January 1900), Margaret McCord (born 19th May 1901, died 23rd December 1901), Elizabeth Bessie McCord (born 4th December 1902), Jane McCord (15th February 1904, died 2nd April 1904), Margaret McCord (born 16th August 1905), Lucy McCord (born 16th October 1906, died 29th December 1906), Benjamin McCord (born 22nd December 1907), Sarah McCord (born 12th August 1909), Robert McCord (born 24th May 1911), Hugh McCord (born 12th May 1913), Edward McCord (born 4th July 1914), Thomas McCord (born 20th March 1916).
The 1911 census lists William as age 2, living with the family at house 6 in Carmean, Brackaghslievegallion. William was still at school. His father was a farm servant.
William McCord enlisted in Cookstown. He was only eighteen years of age when he joined up on the 15th November 1916.
Medal card
Private McCord was trained at Newtownards, Clandeboye and Finner, leaving the latter camp on 15th November 1917 for France, in time to take part in the Cambrai battle.
Private William McCord was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action near Aisne in France during the German Spring Offensive on Friday 29th March 1918.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 25th May 1918: Moneymore
Deep regret is felt on all sides at the death in action of Private William McCord, Inniskillings, eldest son of Mr and Mrs William McCord, Carmean. For a time it was thought that the sad news might not be true, but the Army Records Office, Dublin, state that the young soldier met his death in the heavy fighting between the 21st and 29th March. Private McCord was only eighteen years of age when he joined up on the 15th November 1916. He was trained at Newtownards, Clandeboye and Finner, leaving the latter camp on 15th November 1917 for France, in time to take part I the Cambrai battle. Accompanying the notice of death was a message of sympathy from the King and Queen which says:-
‘He whose death you mourn died in the noblest of causes. His country will be ever grateful to him for the sacrifice he has made for freedom and justice.’
The news of his death was first received through a companion from the deceased’s neighbourhood, who was wounded in the same battle. At the Easter Vestry of St John’s Parish, a vote of deep sympathy with the parents and family of Private McCord was passed. The rector, Rev J R McKim, M.A., said the deceased had been a faithful member of the church and had been regular in his attendance at Sunday School. Mr Pattleton, C.P.S., people’s church warden, said the deceased was a plucky young chap, and he deserved great credit for joining the army when he was a mere boy.
William McCord is buried in Grand Seraucourt British Cemetery in France.
Private William McCord is commemorated on Moneymore War Memorial and also on Desertlyn Church Of Ireland Roll Of Honour WWI in Moneymore.
The CWGC record Private William McCord as the son of William and Lucinda McCord of Carmean, Moneymore, County Londonderry.
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Relevant Cookstown Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Carmean, Brackaghslievegallion Moneymore Census listing in Carmean, Brackaghslievegallion 54.727911 -6.655939
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists McCord family 1901 census lists William as age 2 at house 25 in Carmean, Brackaghslievegallion, Londonderry
2 1911 Census lists McCord family 1911 census lists William as age 12 at house 6 in Carmean, Brackaghslievegallion, Londonderry
3 BillionGraves.com Photo of Private William McCord's grave
4 Magherafelt War Dead Also listed on Magherafelt War Dead
5 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private William McCord's grave can be purchased here
Cookstown District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2010-2023