Private George Lappin

 

George Lappin was born on 26 August 1891 at Corcullentregh, Portadown, County Armagh, the sixth of nine children of weaver (later labourer) George Lappin and his wife Margaret Anne (née McIldoon). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Corcullentregh with his parents and six of his siblings, and working as a farm labourer.

Lappin enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron between 13 and 16 November 1914 (No.UD/142).

On 19 January 1915 he maried Martha Jane Brown in the Second Presbyterian Church, Portadown.

On 6 October 1915 Lappin embarked for France with his squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron joined with C and F Squadrons of the North Irish Horse to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps. In August-September 1917 the Regiment was disbanded and its men, following training at the 36th (Ulster) Division Infantry Base Depot at Harfleur, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Lappin, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt. Lappin was issued regimental number 41163.

No information has been discovered about his service with the 9th (NIH) Battalion through the latter part of 1917 and during 1918, but he probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917, and perhaps also during the retreat from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918.

On 16 March 1919 Lappin was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.

He died at Portadown Hospital on 1 January 1954.

 

The Portadown Times, 8 January 1954

 

This page last updated 12 March 2023.