Private Cecil Miskimmin
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known at present, other than that he was from Carrickfergus, County Antrim. (The Presbyterian Church in Ireland's Roll of Honour gives his address as Woodlawn, Carrickfergus, and the Ulster Covenant of 1912 states it as Clover Hill.)
Cecil Miskimmin enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 1 October 1914 (No.1237). 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 May and June 1916 A, D and E Squadrons of the North Irish Horse combined to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment, and C and F Squadrons joined the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, each serving as corps cavalry units.
In August-September 1917 the 2nd NIH Regiment was disbanded and its men, together with some surplus to the needs of the 1st NIH Regiment, were transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers, an infantry regiment. Most, including Miskimmin, were transferred on 20 September and posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. Miskimmin was issued regimental number 41455 and posted to C Company.
He probably saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917.
Miskimmin was one of the many posted as missing following the 9th (NIH) Battalion's fighting withdrawal from St Quentin from 21 to 28 March 1918 during the German spring offensive. It was later learned that he had been wounded.
It is not known whether is saw any further front-line service during the war. On 22 March 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve.