Private George Andrew McFadden
George Andrew McFadden was born on 8 July 1893 At Artresnahan, Randalstown, County Antrim, the seventh of eleven children of farmer William McFadden and his wife Ellen (nee Kerr). By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Artresnahan with his parents and eight siblings and working on the family farm.
McFadden enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 2 and 4 November 1915 (No.1778 – later Corps of Hussars No.71554). He embarked for France between 1916 and 1918, where he was posted to one of the three squadrons of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment.
From its formation in May 1916, the 1st NIH Regiment served as corps cavalry to VII, XIX, then V Corps until February-March 1918, when it was dismounted and converted to a cyclist regiment. It then served as corps cyclist regiment to V Corps until the end of the war.
At the end of June 1918 McFadden was reported as having been wounded, but when this occurred is unknown at present.
He was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve, on 3 March 1919.
After the war McFadden returned to farming at Artresnahan. He later worked for the Air Ministry Constabulary.
On 19 January 1921 McFadden married Elizabeth Nicholl at Randalstown Presbyterian Church. He died at his residence at Feehogue, Randalstown, on 16 January 1960.
Image from the Belfast Evening Telegraph kindly provided by Nigel Henderson, Researcher at History Hub Ulster (www.greatwarbelfastclippings.com).