Private Edward McCartney

 

 

Edward McCartney was born on 11 October 1891 at Skea, Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, the fifth of eleven children of farmer William McCartney and his wife Margaret (née Armstrong).

McCartney enlisted in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron between 15 September and 12 November 1915 (No. UD/307). On 6 October the squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 36th (Ulster) Division, embarked for France. McCartney, however, remained at the regimental reserve at Enniskillen until 1916 or the first half of 1917, when he embarked for France as a reinforcement for the squadron.

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 McCartney, 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. McCartney was issued regimental number 41170.

No information has been discovered about his service with the 9th (NIH) Battalion through the latter part of 1917 and during 1918, though he probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917, and perhaps also in other battles in 1918 – on the retreat from St Quentin and on the Ypres front.

McCartney's name appears on the Drumkeeran Church Roll of Honour.

 

Image kindly provided by Edward's son, Johnston McCartney.

 

This page last updated 9 July 2023.