Corporal John McKee
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present, other than that he was born around 1894, and he was recorded in the Presbyterian Church of Ireland Roll of Honour as living at Dromore Road, Banbridge, County Down.
McKee enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 31 August 1914 (No.1062 – later Corps of Hussars No.71217). On 1 May 1915 he embarked for France with D Squadron, which at the time was serving as divisional cavalry to the 51st Division.
In June 1915 he was admitted to the 2nd General Hospital with a sprained back, but was discharged to base soon after.
In May 1916 D Squadron came together with A and E 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, serving as corps cyclists to V Corps until the end of the war.
McKee remained with the regiment throughout the war. On 25 February 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.