8th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers (British Army)
Died:
09/09/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
37
Summary
John McErleane was born in Moneyglass, Toome, County Antrim about 1880. He married Catherine McAuley on 22nd November 1909. They lived in Glenarm and went on to have two children. John was a general labourer. Private John McErleane was serving with the 8th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France on the 9th September 1916.
Further Information
John McErleane was born in Moneyglass, Toome, County Antrim about 1880.
Most of the documentation regarding John spells the surname as McErlean, including his own handwritten will. However, because the CWGC use McErleane, this is used to avoid confusion.
John McErleane married Catherine McAuley on 22nd November 1909 in the district of Larne. They went on to have two children.
The 1911 census lists John as age 31, living with his new family at house 38.2 in Toberwine Street, Glenarm, County Antrim. He was a general labourer.
Family: John McErleane, Kate McErleane, Annie McErleane (born 27th May 1910, Glenarm), Jeanie McErleane (born 30th October 1912, Glenarm).
Private John McErleane was serving with the 8th Battalion of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers when he was killed in action in France on the 9th September 1916.
In his will, he left all to his wife, Katie, who was living in Glenarm, County Antrim.
Last Will and Testament of Private John McErleane dated 28th August 1916:-
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my wife Katie McErlean, Main Street, Glenarm, County Antrim, Ireland. Jonnie McErlean, Private, 8th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, dated 28th August 1916
Private John McErleane has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.
