Private James McDonagh
James McDonagh was born on 15 August 1892 at Doon, Tempo, County Fermanagh, the only child of farmer James McDonagh and his wife Margaret Jane (nee Connor). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living with his parents at Doon and working on the family farm.
McDonagh enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 14 November 1911 (No.635). He embarked for France with A Squadron on 17 August 1914, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
In late 1914 or early the following year, McDonagh became ill with myalgia – a chronic and severe muscle pain, often a symptom of trench fever – and was evacuated to the UK for treatment.
He did not fully recover and on 28 June 1915 was discharged, having been assessed as no longer physically fit for military service (paragraph 392(xvi) King's Regulations). He was granted a pension and as late as 1922 the level of his disability was assessed as 60 per cent.
On his discharge McDonagh returned to Doon where he worked as a labourer. On 11 June 1917 he married Lizzie McMulkin in the Tempo Roman Catholic Church. He later lived at 34 Aughafad Road, Fintona, County Tyrone, where he died in 1978.