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Private William Cochrane Cameron

 

William Cochrane Cameron was born on 21 May 1887 at Pass, Coleraine, County Londonderry, the fourth of seven children of farmer James Cameron and his wife Martha (nee Johnstone). He grew up at Ballinrees, Londonderry, but at the time of the 1911 Census he was living at Ballyalloly, Moneyreagh, County Down, and working as a farm servant.

Cameron enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 8 and 10 August 1914 (No.966). Just days later, on 20 August, he embarked for France with C Squadron, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.

Later that year, or in the first months of 1915, Cameron fell ill, was injured or wounded. He was evacuated to the UK where on 28 June 1915 he was discharged, being no longer physically fit for war service (paragraph 392 (xvi), King's Regulations).

After his discharge Cameron returned to Ballinrees. On 21 November 1916 he married Margaret Jane McCurdy at Crossgar Presbyterian Church. (Interestingly, his occupation on the marriage certificate is "Soldier (Rifleman)", suggesting that he may have re-enlisted.)

Cameron died at his home in Belraugh, County Londonderry, on 8 November 1932. He was buried in the Ringsend Presbyterian Burying-Ground.