Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant David McAllister

 

David McAllister was born on 27 October 1888 at Clooney, Glendermott, County Londonderry, the third of eight children of coachman Thomas McAllister and his wife Rebecca (née Kirkland). At the time of the 1911 Census he was living in Henry Street, Londonderry, with his widowed mother and five of his six surviving siblings, and working as a ship chandler's shopman.

McAllister enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron on 28 October 1914 (No. UD/90). The squadron embarked for France as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division on 6 October 1915. McAllister, however, remained at the reinforcements depot at Enniskillen. He was sent to France as a reinforcement for the squadron in 1916 or the first half of 1917.

In June 1916 the Inniskilling squadron had 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 McAllister, 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. McAllister was issued regimental number 41512 and posted to D Company.

He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917.

McAllister was wounded between 21 and 28 March 1918 during the 9th (NIH) Battalion's fighting withdrawal from St Quentin in the German spring offensive. Whether he saw any further front line service with the battalion is not known but it may be unlikely, for in 1919 he recorded his last regiment as the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

On 19 March 1919 at Enniskillen McAllister re-enlisted, in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays) (No.33619 – later Army number 392126). He served with that regiment until discharged with the rank of Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant on 27 October 1936, his military character recorded as 'excellent'.

On 13 October 1938 he re-enlisted, in Section E, Army Reserve.

 

This page last updated 11 February 2023.