Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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6860   Rifleman Owen McGill
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 05/09/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (British Army)
Died: 25/09/1915 (Killed in Action)
Age: 39
Summary      
Owen McGill was born in Donaghmore, County Tyrone about 1876. The 1911 census records Owen as age 35 living with his wife and family at house 5 in Castlecaulfield Town, Tyrone. He was working as an insurance agent. His wife Jane was a linen spinner. Rifleman Owen McGill was serving with "B" Company of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action in France on 25th September 1915. He was 39 years old.
Further Information
Owen McGill was born in Donaghmore, County Tyrone about 1876.
Nothing is known of his early life or family.
Owen Magill and Jane Hamilton were married on 19th November 1899 in Belfast. They went on to have at least four children.
Known family: Owen McGill, Jane McGill, Owen McGill (born 2nd July 1902, Belfast), John Chrysstour McGill (born 15th April 1906, Dungannon), Mary Ann McGill (born 30th April 1909, Dungannon), Rose McGill (born 8th September 1911, Dungannon).
The 1911 census records Owen as age 35 living with his wife and family at house 5 in Castlecaulfield Town, Tyrone. He was working as an insurance agent. His wife Jane was a linen spinner.
Owen had served with army but his period of service had expired before the war broke out.
Owen McGill was a drill instructor of the Annaghmakeown Company of the Irish National Volunteers. (I.N.V.).
1914
Owen McGill enlisted in Holywood, County Down in September 1914. He was living in the Dungannon area.
Medal card
Rifleman Owen McGill arrived in France with the Royal Irish Rifles on 21st December 1914.
1915
Rifleman Owen McGill was serving with ‘B’ Company of the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action in France on Saturday 25th September 1915. He was 39 years old.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 16th October 1915: Private Owen McGill
Mrs McGill, Castlecaulfield, received intimation from the War Office that her son, Private Owen McGill, of the First Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, had been killed in action in the fighting in France on 25th September. The deceased soldier had formerly been in the army, but his period of service had expired before the war broke out and he volunteered for service in September 1914, and had been wounded in February last. Prior to the war he took a prominent part in the National Volunteer movement (I.V.F.), and was drill instructor of the Annaghmakeown Company. The deceased is the first soldier from Castlecaulfield to be killed in the present war.
At first mass in Donaghmore Catholic Church on Sunday, the Vet Rev Canon J J McCartan, in referring to the sad event, said although a number of his parishioners had been wounded, McGill was the first of them to give his life for his country. He wished to express the congregation’s sincere sorrow and sympathy with the widow and relatives in their bereavement.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 21st October 1915
Mrs Magill, Castlecaulfield, has received intimation that her husband, Private Owen Magill, 1st Irish Rifles, was killed in action in France last month. Private Magill was drill instructor of the Annaghmakeown Co. I.N.V.
Last Will and Testament
In his Will, he left all to his wife.
Last Will and Testament of Owen McGill:
In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my wife Jane McGill of Castlecaulfield, County Tyrone. Signed 19th December 1914 Owen McGill.
Memorials
Rifleman Owen McGill has no known grave and is commemorated on Panel 9 of the Ploegsteert Memorial at Hainaut in Belgium.
Private Owen McGill - Ploegsteert Memorial
Rifleman Owen McGill is listed TWICE on Dungannon War Memorial. He is incorrectly listed as having served with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers.
The CWGC record Rifleman Owen McGill as the husband of Jane McGill of 21 St James Place, Belfast.
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GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
19/11/1899 M Hamilton Jane Wife M/1899/B1/2332/1/122b
19/11/1899 M McGill Owen Casualty M/1899/B1/2332/1/122a
02/07/1902 B McGill Owen Children U/1902/52/1007/81/461 Magill
15/04/1906 B McGill John Children U/1906/112/1012/25/375
30/04/1909 B McGill Mary Children U/1909/112/1012/27/60
08/09/1911 B McGill Rose Children U/1911/112/1012/28/134
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1911 Census lists McGill family Lists Owen as age 35 living with his family at house 5 in Castlecaulfield Town, Tyrone
2 FindAGrave.com Photo of Rifleman Owen McGill's inscription
3 Ireland Memorial Record Lists Owen Magill, born Donaghmore
4 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of Owen McGill
5 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023