McCONNELL, Robert

Rifleman Robert McConnell

Rifleman, Depot Batt., Royal Irish Rifles
Service No: 2313
Died: 05/03/1918
Age: 20

Interred in Bangor Cemetery

Robert McConnell was born on the 26th February 1898 in Herdstown, Donaghadee. Known as Bertie, he was the son of David McConnell, a labourer, and his wife Mary Ellen (nee Strain) and was the fifth of their 11 children.
 
The family lived in Herdstown before moving to Portavo (c1907) and thence to Bangor where they were living in Corporation by the time of the 1911 census and where Robert attended Bangor Grammar School.

When the war broke out Robert, his father David, and older brother David junior enlisted in the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles. While there is no record to indicate when David junior enlisted, part of his father's Service Record survived which gives a date of 14th September 1914 and the entry for Robert's Silver War Badge gives his date as 20th November 1914. David seniors record also indicated that he had previously served seven years in the Royal Garrison Artillery.


Tragedy hit the family shortly afterwards however when, in October, his mother Mary died of ovarian cancer. The Newtownards Chronicle of 23rd October 1914 reported:

"... Deceased was the wife of David M'Connell, one of the Bangor U.V.F. at present in camp at Clandeboye. The case is a peculiarly sad one, as deceased leaves a family of ten children, six of whom are totally unfit to provide for themselves. Mrs. M'Connell has been ailing for several weeks, and it is much to be feared that a woman in humble circumstances could not, with the delay in the Government remittances, have received nourishment requisite to her delicate condition. Mr. M'Connell is well-known in Bangor having, before he enlisted, been in the employment of Mr. Hugh Morrow as driver of a dust cart for the Urban Council."

His father was discharged in November to look after the young family.

On the 1st July 1916, Robert's brother David was reported as killed at the Somme.

In December 1916 Robert's brother George, now living in Donaghadee, married Bridie Coughlin. They later moved into the family home in Church Street.

Robert and his brother David are remembered on the
memorial in St Comgall's parish church

In September 1917 his father David re-enlisted in Belfast with the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was later transferred to the Labour Corps before being compulsorily transferred to the Durham Light Infantry (28th Batt.) in June 1918. He was demobilised in February 1919 and was finally discharged in March 1920.

Robert became ill and developed pulmonary tuberculosis and in April 1917 was discharged from the Army going to live in the family home in Church Street.

On the 5th March 1918, Robert McConnell died in Forster Green Hospital of Pulmonary Haemorrhage aged 20.