Second Lieutenant David Kincaid
David Kincaid was born on 3 January 1893 at Aught, County Donegal, the fifth of six children of land steward William Kincaid and his wife Mary Ann (nee McKnight). His father died of pneumonia when David was just four years old. Educated at Foyle College, Londonderry, and Marlborough College, Dublin, by 1911 he was living with his mother and siblings at 40 Academy Terrace and Fairman Place, Londonderry, and was in training as a school teacher.
Kincaid enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 31 December 1915 (No.2050). He was promoted to lance corporal on 1 August 1916, and acting corporal on 25 September.
In November 1916 Kincaid was one of around 100 North Irish Horsemen who volunteered to transfer to the Royal Irish Rifles (No.40836), although for him this meant relinquishing his corporal's rank for that of rifleman. The formal transfer took place on 7 December, and on the same day the men embarked for France. There they were posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, joining it on the Somme front on 12 December. Kincaid was posted to A Company. He was once again promoted to lance corporal on 16 August 1917, and acting corporal on 21 November.
On 30 December 1917 Kincaid applied for a commission in the infantry, with a preference for the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He left France for officer training in the UK on 20 January 1918. After a period of leave he reported for duty at No.7 Officer Cadet Battalion at Fermoy on 5 April.
Kincaid was assessed as "a good type of cadet, who has improved. Will make a good officer", and on 25 September 1918 was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles. He was demobilised on 25 March 1919 and relinquished his commission on 1 September 1921.
After the war he resumed work as a school teacher. He served as principal of Academy School, Strabane, and from 1933 as principal of Clooney Primary School, retiring in 1958.
Londonderry Sentinel, 1 April 1958