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Pte. Ernest McElwee
British Army 2nd Btn. Hampshire Regiment
from:2 Bannfield Rd, Coleraine, Londonderry
Our father, Ernest McAlwee was born in 1899 and died in 1978. He lived at 2 Bannfield Road, Coleraine, Londonderry and enlisted in the Royal Irish Rifles on 30th of January 1917, at Ballymoney, Londonderry, N.Ireland. He was then transferred to the Hampshire Regiment, No. 28484, where he trained to be a Lewis Light Machine Gunner.
How he managed to survive through the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), the Battle of Cambrai and the Five Phases of the Battle of Lys is nothing short of a miracle. He was gassed in August 1918 and was discharged from Ewell Hospital, Surrey on 26th of May 1919. After serving two years and 117 days with the colours. For which he received a War Pension. Although I cannot find any record in the Burnt Records section, however, I have been told very few pension records survived the fire.
He is listed in the book "Coleraine Heroes" by Robert Thompson. Although the record shows him as being in the Munster Fusilliers. However, on his Enlistment papers he is recorded as joining the Royal Irish Rifles. He was awarded, the Victory Medal, British Medal, Silver War Badge No. 221426. Chevron 1 Blue (for serving 1 year overseas).
In loving memory from his three sons Ernest, James & John McElwee
