Lance Corporal Hugh Lusk
Hugh Lusk was born on 27 December 1894 at Union Street, Ballymoney, the fourth of seven children of tailor Hugh Lusk and his wife Mary Jane (nee McLaughlin). By 1911 he was living with his family at 8 Henry Street, Ballymoney.
Lusk enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 19 and 22 May 1915 (No.1561 – later Corps of Hussars No.71442).
He embarked for France with E Squadron on 11 January 1916, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 34th Division. In May that year E Squadron joined with A and D Squadrons to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment. The regiment served as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps through to the end of the war.
On 7 September 1916 the Ballymoney Free Press reported that:
Sergeant John R. Owens, Royal Irish Rifles, arrived home on Wednesday last. He contracted rheumatic fever in the trenches, from which he has recovered. ... In France he met Troopers Thomas Porter, Hugh Lusk, Michael Olpherts, Samuel McAllister, Thomas F. Owens, and Corporal Hodges, of the North Irish Horse.
On 3 March 1919 Lusk was transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.
At least two of Lance Corporal Lusk's three brothers also served in the war – Andrew in the Royal Scots and William in the Royal Irish Rifles. His uncle Samuel Finlay Lusk served as a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps.