Samuel Ephraim McKEGNEY (Military Cross) M.A.M.C. of 420 Oldpark Road, Belfast Northern Ireland Died 8 January 1944 aged 55. Born 22 January 1888 at St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America to Adam and Mary Jane McKegney, nee Watt. 1901 residing aged 13 with his parents and siblings at 127 Euston Street, Ormeau, Belfast, Ireland. 1911, aged 23 residing with his parents and siblings at 294, Woodstock Road, Belfast, Ireland. 22 September 1912 he embarked from Belfast bound for Canada, occupation Clerk in Holy Orders. 1913 in Ontario, Canada he married Ellen 6 March 1916 aged 28 and 7 months he joined the Chaplains Forces as Honorary Captain, 27004 with the 215th Overseas Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force. attached to 58th Canadian Ontario Regiment. At the time of enlistment, he was residing with his wife at 65 Ontario Street, Brantford, Ontario, Canada, occupation, clergyman. He embarked from Halifax, Canada on S.S. Olympic bound for England. 7 May 1917 disembarked in England and posted to various locations, Otterpool, East Sandling and 24 May 1917 posted to Shorncliffe Canadian Training Division. 28 May 1917 attached to 18th Reserve Battalion Canadian Infantry, all in County Kent.
26 November 1917 transferred from Shorncliffe to No 8 Canadian Stationary Hospital, Witley.
28 November 1917 posted to Director of Chaplain Services, London for attachment to No Canadian Stationary Hospital. 5 December 1917 arrived in France with No 8, 26 January 1918 attached to no 9 Canadian Infantry Battalion Headquarter. 1 March 1918 attached to 58th Infantry Battalion. He was granted 14 days leave to England on the 5 November 1918. Transferred to England 10 February 1919 and dispatched to General Depot, Shorncliffe. 11 February 1919 posted to Bramshott Canadian Camp, Hampshire. 12 March 1919 he sailed for Canada, general demobilisation.
10 October 1921 he disembarked at Glasgow, Scotland from Montreal, Canada with his wife and daughters Patricia and Mary Kathleen Letitia. His forwarding address was Oxford University, his family went to 154 Madrid Street, Belfast.
22 January 1933 he disembarked at Londonderry from New York with his wife and four children. Their residence in Londonderry being St Augustin’s Rectory, Londonderry
Supplement to London Gazette dated 31 December 1918 -
Mentioned in Dispatches, Chaplins Services, Honorary Captain, Reverend Samuel Ephraim McKegney, attached to 58th Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Supplement to London Gazette dated 2 April 1919 -
Awarded Military Cross
Military Cross citation
Rev. Samuel Ephraim McKegney, Canadian Chaplains' Service attached to 58th 2nd Canadian Ontario Regiment
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attacks near Cambrai on 28th September and 1st October, 1918. Throughout he was continuously present on the battlefield, dressing the wounded and assisting in their evacuation amidst very heavy fire. He had no rest for two days, during which time he was indefatigable in carrying out his duties and relieving the suffering.
Last place of residence was 420 Oldpark, Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
At rest in a family plot. Plot B1, Grave 557, Dundonald Cemetery, Dundonald Northern Ireland.
http://www.doingourbit.ca/profile/samuel-mckegney-mc
His brothers -
William Ernest McKEGNEY. Private 404903, 20th Canadian Infantry. Formerly Private 16995 Royal Marine Light Infantry. Joined 1 January 1912 Royal Marine Depot, Chatham, invalided out 12 March 1912 to his home, 262 Woodstock Road. He originally joined the Marines in 1911 aged 18 but bought himself out in 1911. Born 2 February 1893 at St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America to Adam and Mary Jane McKegney, nee Watt of 262, Woodstock Road, Belfast, Ireland. He joined 30 June 1915 at Niagara, Ontario, Canada. Resided with his brother Samuel at l65 Ontario Street, Brantford, Ontario, Canada, occupation, Commissary Clerk He was posted to France, via Shorncliffe, England Disembarked in England 25 October 1915, Embarked for France 17 February 1916, disembarking in France the following day and marched into Base Depot, Le Havre to await deployment to his unit. 11 March 1916 he joined the 20th Battalion in the field. He was killed in action 28 August 1918 aged 24. At rest in Vis-En-Artois British Cemetery, Haucourt.
Herbert Augustine McKEGNEY. Served as 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in World War 1.
