Private James McKee
James McKee from Kilkeel, County Down, enlisted with the North Irish Horse in January or February 1916 (Service No.2090). He was aged 26 at the time.
He later transferred to the 10th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (No.40652), and was severely wounded at Passchendaele in August 1917, suffering wounds to his neck and waist. According to family recollections, while in hospital in England he met and shook hands with Queen Mary (wife of King George V) who was visiting the injured troops. On release from hospital he was transferred to the Army Service Corps (No. T/382813).
James McKee survived the war and died in 1962.
The image above shows James McKee in Army Service Corps uniform, with two wound stripes on his sleeve.
I am grateful to David Hawthorne from Lisburn, Northern Ireland, for agreeing that I reproduce this wonderful collection of pictures of his Grandfather.
The image above shows a group of North Irish Horsemen on parade, probably at the Anrtim showgrounds, where the regiment was based through the war. Note the bugle and 1908-pattern cavalry swords. The photograph was taken by George Kennedy, photographer, 135 Donegall Street, Belfast. (Another picture by the same photographer can be seen here.)
A mounted image of James McKee. (Another image of a North Irish Horseman, here, shows a different rider on the same horse with the same background.)
James McKee in Army Service Corps uniform.
James McKee's dogtags - North Irish Horse and 10th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
