Private Albert Ernest McClurg
Albert Ernest McClurg (or McClerg) was born on 3 February 1896 at 268 Leopold Street, Belfast, the fourth of five children of clerk Samuel McClurg and his wife Elizabeth (née McCartney). My the time of the 1911 Census he was living in Esmond Street, Belfast, with his parents and two surviving siblings, and working as an apprentice grocer.
McClurg enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 24 or 25 May 1915 (No.1599 – later Corps of Hussars No.71465). He trained at the regiment's Antrim reserve camp before embarking for France sometime between 1916 and 1918, possibly with E Squadron on 11 January 1916.
In May 1916 E Squadron came together with A and D Squadrons to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps until February-March 1918, when the regiment was dismounted and converted to a cyclist unit. It then served as corps cyclists to V Corps until the end of the war.
McClurg remained with the regiment throughout the war. On 28 February 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.
After the war he lived with his family at 248 Leopold Street, Belfast. He later emigrated to Canada.
McClurg's brother, William McCartney McClurg, also served in the war, in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.