William McCurdy was the son of Alexander and Annie McCurdy. He was born on 23rd March 1896. He was one of at least eight children. They were a farming family from Artnagross, Kilrea. William’s mother died in 1905. His father remarried. Rifleman William McCurdy was involved in the retreat from the German armies in the Spring Offensive of March 1918 and was taken prisoner and died of wounds on the 3rd April 1918.
Further Information
William McCurdy was the son of Alexander and Annie McCurdy. Alex McCurdy married Annie Dysart on 23rd November 1888 in the district of Ballymoney.
William McCurdy was born on 23rd March 1896, Ballymena. He was one of at least eight children.
Family: Alexander McCurdy, Annie McCurdy, Mary McCurdy (born 30th December 1888, Ballymena), George / Alexander McCurdy (born 12th April 1891, Ballymena), Robert McCurdy (born 21st November 1893, Ballymena), William McCurdy (born 23rd March 1896, Ballymena), Annie McCurdy (born 25th May 1898, Ballymena), John McCurdy (born 13th February 1900, Ballymoney), Andrew McCurdy (born 25th December 1901, Ballymoney), Thomas McCurdy (born 5th July 1905, Ballymoney).
The 1901 census lists William as age 4 living with the family at house 4 in Artnagross, The Vow, County Antrim. His father was a farmer and his mother was a housekeeper. Artnagross is a townland close to Kilrea.
William’s mother, Annie McCurdy died in the Ballymoney area on 14th October 1905, aged 36.
William father remarried. Alex McCurdy married Nancy F Fleming on 18th March 1908 in the district of Ballymoney.
The 1911 census lists William as age 15 living with the family at house 5 in Artnagross, The Vow, County Antrim. William had left school and was working on his father’s farm.
William McCurdy was living in Kilrea when he enlisted in Ballymena early in the war.
William did his early training at Clandeboye and in July 1915 was moved across to Seaford to complete that training.
Rifleman McCurdy then went to France in October 1915.
Rifleman William McCurdy was involved in the retreat from the German armies in the Spring Offensive of March 1918 and was taken prisoner, although no record of this can be found on the ICRC P.O.W. website.
Rifleman William McCurdy was serving with the 12th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he died as a prisoner of war on the 3rd of April 1918 close to St. Souplet.
In his will he left all to his father, Alex McCurdy.
Last will and Testament of Rifleman William McCurdy dated 4th December 1917:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my Mr Alex McCurdy, father, Artnagross, Kilrea, County Antrim. Private William McCurdy, 18th Royal Irish Rifles.
Rifleman William McCurdy is buried in St. Souplet British Cemetery. St. Souplet is a village about 6 kilometres south of Le Cateau, which is a small town approximately 20 kilometres south-east of Cambrai.
Rifleman William McCurdy is commemorated in Finvoy Presbyterian Church.
The CWGC record Rifleman William McCurdy as the son of Alexander McCurdy of Artnagross, Kilrea, County Londonderry, and the late Anna McCurdy.
