10th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
23/04/1896
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
20
Summary
John MacKrell was the son of John and Elizabeth MacKrell. He was born on 23rd April 1896 in Castledawson. The family lived in Upperlands. John worked as a Linen Lapper’s Apprentice In the William Clark factory. John Mackrell was the member of the Upperlands Company of the U.V.F. and was amongst the first batch of Volunteers from the district to join the Ulster Division. Private John MacKrell was serving with the 10th 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 July 1916.
Further Information
John MacKrell was the son of John and Elizabeth MacKrell.
John George MacKrell was born on 23rd April 1896 in Castledawson, County Londonderry.
The 1901 census lists John George as age 4 living with the family at house 25 in Upperlands, Swatragh, County Londonderry. His father was a Linen Sample-Maker, almost certainly in the William Clark factory.
Family: John MacKrell, Elizabeth MacKrell, Samuel MacKrell (born 16th February 1887, died young), Jane MacKrell (born 24th August 1888), Mary MacKrell (born 19th June 1893), John George MacKrell (born 23rd April 1896), Violet MacKrell (born 29th June 1898, died 22nd August 1898), Maud Nelson MacKrell (born 24th August 1899), Samuel A L MacKrell (born 27th July 1902).
The 1911 census lists John George as age 15 living with the family at house 7 in Upperlands, Swatragh, Londonderry. John had left school and was working as a Linen Lapper’s Apprentice. He is listed on the William Clark factory Roll of Honour as an employee.
John Mackrell was the member of the Upperlands Company of the U.V.F. and was amongst the first batch of Volunteers from the district to join the Ulster Division. He enlisted in Donegal.
Private John MacKrell was serving with the 10th 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 July 1916. He was 20 years old.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 19th August 1916: Upperlands
Mr John Mackrell, Upperlands, has received official information that his son, Private John G Mackrell, 10th Inniskillings (Ulster Division), has been missing since the commencement of the British advancement on 1st July. Private Mackrell was the member of the Upperlands Company of the U.V.F. and was amongst the first batch of Volunteers from the district to join the Ulster Division.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 8th September 1917:
Private J G Mackrell, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Upperlands, missing since 1st July 1916, was killed on that date.
Last Will and Testament of Private John Mackrell dated 27th June 1916.
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to John MacKrell, Antrim View, Upperlands, Co Derry. Signed J MacKrell, Private No 15870, 10th Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Private John MacKrell has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
The CWGC record Private Mackrell as the son of John MacKrell, of Boyne Terrace, Upperlands, Co. Derry.
