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Pte. James McKinley
British Army 8th Btn. Royal Irish Rifles
from:Belfast
My grandfather James McKinley he served with the 8th Battalion, Royal Irish (Ulster) Rifles within the 36th Ulster Division during WW1 from 30th October 1916 to 9th July 1917. It was most likely he was conscripted into the army when conscription came into force on 2 March 1916. I have lots of records such as his Silver War Badge and Medal Card records and also his Victory Medal which takes pride of place in my home. I know he had family in Belfast named Joseph and Katie but have not been able to progress this link. I have never being able to locate his service record.
He married Margaret (Maggie) McNamara of Irishtown, Athlone County, Westmeath on 18th of November 1918, just one week after Armistice Day. He spent most of his life in London after returning from the war and I gather that he suffered terribly with his nerves, most likely from shell shock or the trauma of war.
