Daniel Merron was the youngest son of Michael and Anne Merron. The family lived in Dreenan, Gulladuff, County Londonderry. Daniel’s father was a farm labourer, hi mother a seamstress. He was born on 1st December 1906. Daniel married his wife Mary in 1934. Prior to the war, Daniel worked as a labourer in Maghera. He enlisted on 24th July 1940. Rifleman Daniel Merron was serving with the 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles when he was killed on 22nd June 1944 in the Battle of Sanfatucchio in Italy.
Further Information
The family details are based on ‘best fit’ and are not confirmed.
Daniel Merron was the youngest son of Michael and Anne Merron. Michael Merron and Anne Convery were married on 31st January 1888 in ther district of Magherafelt
The 1901 census lists the family at house 30 in Dreenan, Gulladuff, County Londonderry. Michael Merron was a farm labourer. Anne Merron was a seamstress.
Daniel Merron was born on 1st December 1906. He was the youngest of eleven children, nine surviving. All were born in the Maghera area, presumably in the Gulladuff area.
Known family: Michael Merron, Anne Merron, Patrick Merron (born 15th December 1888), Catherine Kate Merron (born 16th August 1890), Michael Merron (born about 1893), Bridget Merron (born 21st June 1894), James Merron (born 10th May 1896), Lizzie Jane Merron (born 31st August 1900), Rose Merron (born 28th February 1902), Margaret Merron (born 5th April 1904), Daniel Merron (born 1st December 1906).
The 1911 census lists Daniel as age 5, living with the family at house 1 in Drennan, Gulladuff. The male family members were farm workers. His sister and mother were seamstresses.
Daniel had married his wife Mary in 1934. They had two sons. Peter was born about 1934.
Prior to the war, Daniel worked as a labourer in Maghera.
Daniel enlisted on 24th July 1940.
Rifleman Daniel Merron served initially with the Royal Ulster Rifles.
He was latterly transferred to the 2nd Battalion of the London Irish Rifles.
Rifleman Daniel Merron was killed on 22nd June 1944 in the Battle of Sanfatucchio. Rifleman Merron was killed on Pucciarelli Ridge.
Rifleman Daniel Merron is buried in Orvieto War Cemetery. The cemetery was established as a battlefield cemetery by the 78th Division in the middle of June 1944, during the first heavy fighting north of Rome. The burials, with only one exception, date from the period 14th June – 4th July 1944.
