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.
Further Information
Shepherd Hamill was the youngest son of John and Nancy Hamill. John Hamill married Nancy Nicholl on 16th January 1883 in the district of Ballymena.
There are various spellings of Shepherd, Sheppard being one of them.
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.
Family: John Hamill, Nancy Hamill, Adam Hamill (born 15th November 1883), Henry Hamill (born 3rd December 1885), Samuel Hamill (born 5th November 1887, died 1st October 1888), William John Hamill (born 8th April 1889), Samuel Hamill (born 20th May 1891), Robert George Hamill (born 21st May 1893), Alexander Hamill (born 11th May 1896), Shepherd Hamill (born 17th May 1899).
The 1901 census lists Shepherd as age 2, living with the family at house 9 in Grange Park, Ballyscullion, County Antrim. They were a farming family.
The 1911 census lists Shepherd as age 11, living with the family at house 2 in Taylorstown, Ballyscullion. His father is listed as a general labourer.
Shepherd enlisted at Randalstown. He was listed as living in Moira at the time, although given his age, this was most likely not true.
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.
Shepherd Hamill is buried in the same plot in Grange Corner Presbyterian Churchyard in County Antrim as his younger brother, Rifleman Alexander Hamill.
The CWGC record Private Shepherd Hamill as the son of John and Nancy Hamill of Taylorstown, Toomebridge, County Antrim.
