Shepherd Hamill was the youngest son of John and Nancy Hamill. Shepherd Hamill was born on 17th May 1899 in Grange, a few miles north east of Toome. Shepherd was one of eight children, all male, with seven surviving. Shepherd enlisted at Randalstown. Private Shepherd Hamill was serving with the 11th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he died at home on Friday 3rd September 1915. PRONI records give his birth date as 17th May 1899 and census details confirm this. Shepherd was just 16 years old when he died. At this time, the 11th Battalion were training in Seaford, Sussex, where they had been since early July, and before they left for France in early October.
