John Francis McCabe

John's sister Margaret Ann was married to Rifleman John Toner of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (another Bessbrook man) who Died of Wounds on the 20/07/1918. John's brother Patrick also served as did his brothers-in-law Corporal/Acting Sergeant Michael J McConville who Died of Wounds and Private Thomas McConville. John joined his father's old Regiment and arrived in France on the 06/04/1915 and was Killed in Action 34 days later at the Battle of Frezenberg, 8th - 13th May 1915. This was part of the Battles of Ypres, (2nd Ypres), 22nd April - 25th May 1915 : Often known as the 2nd Battle of Ypres, this began with surprise German attack using poison gas against French North African forces holding defences near Ypres. Both sides rushed reserves in and the battle developed into the second epic in that area. British Second Army withdraws to a shorter line near Ypres. The 2nd Battalion arrived at Le Havre on the 19/12/1914 and were part of the 82nd Brigade, 27th Division when John fell. The Battalion fought in the Battle of Grafenstafel, 22rd - 23rd April 1915 and the Battle of St. Julien, 24th April - 4th May 1915. These were also part of the Battles of Ypres where the Germans shelled the 27th and 28th Divisions off the untenable ridge. V Corps lost 456 Officers and 8,935 other ranks during this Battle. The 2nd Battalion casualties for the month of May were - 2 Officers Killed, 4 Officers Wounded, 192 Other Ranks Killed or Wounded. SEE PHOTOS x 22 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM 1ST MAY UNTIL JOHN FELL. John is listed as PRIVATE and 1st BATTALION on the Coatbridge Memorial. See Directory for John's sister Margaret Ann's husband John Toner's page. John is also remembered on the St. Patricks Church and Stewarts and Lloyds Rolls of Honour (see photos) and in the St. Augustine's Parish (book) Roll of Honour. A big thanks to Christine Tyrrell from Warrenpoint for the information on John from her Bessbrook District War Dead book (see photos). See photos for Johns Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his name in the Ireland Casualties of WW1, his name in the Bessbrook District War Dead book, his name on the Bessbrook Memorial x 3, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, Family on the 1901 Ireland Census, Family on the 1911 Ireland Census x 2, his Fathers Military Campaign Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Menin Gate Memorial Panel List, the Royal Irish Fusiliers Cap Badge, the Bessbrook War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday 2019 and John's Pension Records x 2.