Private Samuel Quigley
Samuel Quigley enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 19 March and 2 April 1918 (No.72054). He trained at the regimental reserve camp at Antrim until discharged in 1919.
This North Irish Horseman's background is not known for certain, but he may have been the Samuel Quigley born on 18 February 1900 in Antrim, the seventh of eight children of labourer Isaac Quigley and his wife Ellen (née Graham). His father died of tuberculosis in the Antrim Workhouse when Samuel was just eight years old. At the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 1 Darragh's Entry, Antrim, with his mother, step-father (Thomas Johnston) and two of his siblings.
Quigley enlisted in the Royal Irish Rifles at Clandeboye Camp in 19 April 1915 (No.4795). He gave his address as Riverside, Antrim, his occupation as labourer, and his age as 18 years 60 days (though he was only 15). Posted to the 11th (Service) Battalion, he embarked for France on 3 October 1915. Within months, however, his true age was discovered and he was returned to home service before being discharged on 14 April 1916 'having made a misstatement as to age on enlistment' (paragraph 392(vi)(a), King's Regulations).
Quigley died in the Massereene Hospital, Antrim, on 16 February 1961 and was buried in the Antrim Cemetery.
At least one of his brothers, John, also served in the military – with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers from 1910 to 1919 (No.9930).