1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth:
08/08/1882
Died:
01/07/1916 (Killed in Action)
Age:
33
Summary
Lewis Meenagh was the son of Robert and Isabella Meenagh. He was born in Drumglass, Dungannon on 8th August 1882. By 1901 both parents had died. Lewis worked as a linen lapper. By 1911, he was a postman, married and living in Beragh, County Tyrone. They went on to have five children. Private Lewis Meenagh was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action at the Somme on 1st July 1916.
Further Information
Lewis Meenagh was the son of Robert and Isabella Meenagh. Robert Meenagh and Isabella Elliott were married in Dungannon on 24th June 1870.
Lewis was born in Drumglass, Dungannon on 8th August 1882.
Known family: Robert Meenagh, Isabella Meenagh, Isabella Ellen Meenagh (born 28th July 1871), John Robert Meenagh (born 15th April 1876), Jane Meenagh (born 2nd November 1880), Lewis Meenagh (born 8th August 1882), Ida Delis Meenagh (born 9th January 1885), Mary Meenagh (born 18th November 1886), Sophia Meenagh (born 19th July 1890).
Isabella Meenagh died on 22nd May 1893 in Dungannon aged 42. Robert Meenagh died on 1st February 1895 aged 59.
The 1901 census shows Lewis as 17 years old. Hewas living with his brothers and sisters at Georges Street, Dungannon. Both his parents had died. Lewis was working as a linen lapper.
Lewis was employed at Messrs Stevenson and Son, linen manufacturers, Dungannon.
Lewis Meenagh and Catherine Anthony were married on 10th August 1909 in the district of Omagh. They went on to have five children.
The 1911 census records that Lewis was married to Catherine and living in Beragh, County Tyrone. Lewis was a postman.
Known family: Lewis Meenagh, Catherine Meenagh, Margaret Meenagh (born 9th November 1910, Dungannon), Elizabeth Meenagh (born 17th March 1912, Sixmilecross), Eleanor Meenagh (born 2nd March 1913, Sixmilecross), Letty Meenagh (born 7th April 1914, Sixmilecross), Louis Meenagh (born 21st September 1916, Fintona).
Lewis Meenagh enlisted in Omagh. He was working in the Post Office service at Beragh, but was called up on the Army Reserve.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 5th June 1915: Private Meenagh in the Big Fight
Private L Meenagh, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, writing to his brother, Mr John Meenagh, Georges Street, Dungannon, says he is still alive and well. The Inniskillings had a terrible battle on Saturday night, 15th May. The fight lasted all Sunday and they succeeded in capturing three German trenches, and made an advance of three miles. Unfortunately the Inniskillings lost heavily, and a number of his chums were wounded. He mentions that Corporal Sidney Donaldson (son of Sergeant Donaldson) has been wounded. His brigade is now back from the trenches for a rest.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 12 August 1915:
Mr John Meenagh, house-painter, Georges Street, Dungannon, has received intimation that his brother, Private Lewis Meenagh, R.I.F, has been wounded at the front and is now in hospital in London where he is recovering.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 9th September 1915: A Gallant Inniskilling
Mr John Meenagh, house painter, Georges Street, Dungannon, has received the following letter from his brother, Private Lewis Meenagh, 2nd Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, a former employee of Messrs. Stevenson and Son, linen manufacturers, Dungannon, who is at present in hospital in London suffering from wounds received in Festubert on 22nd July :- 'I received the Courier all right and was glad to see it. I was wounded at Festubert on 22nd July. I have seen some hard fighting since the beginning of the war and have come through some stiff engagements, including the retreat from Mons, and as for the good old Inniskillings, out of 1400 of us, there only remains about 500. We made a terrible charge against the Germans on 15th May at Festubert and lost very heavily, 850 being killed or wounded. We carried three lines of German trenches at the point of the bayonet along with the Worcesters; we were the first to attack and they were our supports. The attack was carried out with great success and we got great praise from General French and others who said we were second to none in the British army. I have been strongly recommended for the D.C.M. for building an observation post at St Marguerite on La Bassee side under very heavy shell fire, thereby saving a brigade from being cut up. I have learned nothing about it since as I have been wounded. We have had some hardships but were always cheerful, anxious to give the Huns a good 'licking' and if spared to return I hope to help to do that. We would like to get at the Kaiser in Berlin; we would make him sorry for all his doings. If the Germans fought fair as they ought to do, the war would have been finished by now. I am getting the best of treatment in hospital here and get motor-rides around London, and hope to be all right again very soon'.
Private Lewis Meenagh was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July 1916.
The village of Beaumont-Hamel was attacked and reached on the 1st July 1916 by units of the 29th Division (which included the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and 1st Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers), but it could not be held.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 17 August 1916:
Mr Robert Meenagh, Drumcoo Terrace, Dungannon, has received official intimation that his brother, Private Louis Meenagh, Inniskilling Fusiliers, is posted as missing. His wife resides in Beragh
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 19th August 1916:
Mr Robert Meenagh, Drumcoo Terrace, Dungannon, has received official intimation that his brother, Private Louis Meenagh, 1st Inniskillings, is missing since 3rd July. He is the youngest son of the late Mr Robert Meenagh, the well-known Dungannon house painter, and at the outbreak of war had been in the Post Office service at Beragh, but was called up on the Army Reserve. His wife resides at Beragh.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 31st August 1916:
Private Louis Meenagh, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, reported missing, was formerly a postman in Beragh and Sixmilecross, and prior to that on the Regular Army. His wife and two children reside near Beragh.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 10th November 1916:
Private Louis Meenagh, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, husband of Mrs Meenagh, Moylagh, Beragh, County Tyrone, has been killed in action. Private Meenagh was an Army Reservist, and before the war was employed at Sixmilecross Post Office. He was wounded on a former occasion.
From the Tyrone Courier dated 16 November 1916:
Mrs Meenagh, Beragh, has been informed by the War Office that her husband, Private Louis Meenagh, Inniskillings, previously reported missing, has been killed in action. He was a brother of Mr J Meenagh, house painter, Dungannon, and had been mentioned for gallant conduct in the field.
Last Will and Testament of Lewis Meenagh:
In the event of my death I give the whole of my property and effects to Mrs Catherine Meenagh c/o Mr John Anthony Meenagh, Beragh, Co Tyrone, Ireland. Signed Lewis Meenagh Private No 6977 Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
Private Lewis Meenagh is buried at Y Ravine Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel, France.
Private Lewis Meenagh is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial and on the WWI Roll of Honour in St Anne's Church Of Ireland in Dungannon.
