Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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5175   Private James McNally
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Dated added: 01/01/2016   Last updated: 19/05/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 28/03/1894
Died: 06/03/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age: 21
Summary      
James McNally was the oldest son of James and Catherine McNally. He was born on 28th March 1894 in Draperstown. It is believed both parents died when the children were still young. James McNally enlisted in Omagh. James initially served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Service No. 17954). Private James McNally was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 6th March 1916
Further Information
James McNally was the oldest son of James and Catherine McNally. James McNally married Catherine McCullagh on 20th January 1892.
James McNally was born on 28th March 1894 in Draperstown.
Family: James McNally (died 1st September 1900), Catherine McNally (died 1st June 1903), James McNally (born 28th March 1894), Henry McNally (born 1st February 1896), William McNally (born 16th May 1897), Mary McNally (born 9th May 1899).
The 1901 census lists James as age 7 living with the family at house 21 in Boncran Glebe, Bancran, County Londonderry. His mother was a widow.
It is believed his father, James McNally, died on 1st September 1900 in the Draperstown area. However, there was another James McNally, aged 67 who also died in Draperstown (2nd January 1900).
There was a Catherine McNally who died on 1st June 1903, aged 43, in Draperstown. This is strongly believed to be James’s mother.
James McNally enlisted in Omagh.
Medal card
James initially served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (Service No. 17954).
Private James McNally was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Munster Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 6th March 1916.
James’ brother, Ordinary Seaman Henry McNally, was serving on H.M.S. Monmouth when he died at sea off the coast of Chile on 1st November 1914 in the Battle of Coronel. He was 18 years old.
Private James McNally is buried in Maroc British Cemetery.
The CWGC record Private J McNally as the son of James and Catherine McNally of Bancran, Draperstown, Co. Derry.
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Relevant Magherafelt Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Boncran Glebe, Bancran Draperstown Census listing in Boncran Glebe, Bancran 54.790562 -6.853793
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists McNally family 1901 census lists James as age 7 living with the family at house 21 in Boncran Glebe, Bancran, Londonderry
2 National Archives UK Medal card of Private James McNally can be purchased here
3 Seaman Henry McNally Brother of Private James McNally
4 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private James McNally's grave can be purchased here
Magherafelt District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2014-2023