| Ernest McKinley was the son of Maggie McKinley. Ernest was born 8th October 1892 in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone.
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| John Clinging and Maggie McKinley were married on 21st August 1894 in Fermanagh.
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| Ernest became the stepson of John Clinging and was renamed accordingly.
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| Known family: John Thomas Clinging, Maggie Ann Clinging, Ernest Clinging (born 8th October 1892), Rose Mary Clinging (born 4th May 1895), James Clinging (born 3rd March 1896), John Robert Clinging (born 2nd May 1898), Georgina Clinging (born 25th October 1908).
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| The 1901 census records the family as living in Tattykeeran, Cross, Fermanagh. Ernest was 7 years old. Ernest’s stepfather, John Thomas ‘Clingham’, was a farm labourer.
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| There is a 1911 census entry for an Ernest Clinging. He is listed as an 18 year old servant working for the Rea family at Tullykenneye, Corralongford, County Fermanagh. Corralongford straddles the boundary with Fivemiletown in County Tyrone.
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| Ernest Clinging enlisted in Fivemiletown.
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| Private Ernest Clinging arrived in France on 9th December 1915.
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| Private Ernest Clinging was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was wounded in France.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 22th May 1916:
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| Private Ernest Clinging, John Hackett and Herbert Irvine (Fivemiletown) have been wounded while Sergeant Hugh Hetherington (Fivemiletown), also of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, is in hospital suffering from shock as a result of being buried following a shell explosion.
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| He had both legs amputated and died of his wounds on 20th August 1916.
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| From the Impartial Reporter dated 31st August 1916:
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| Private Clinging, of the 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who has passed away in hospital in France, after having both legs amputated. He was seriously wounded, but was carried to the clearing station by Sergeant Young, Nurchassy, who has since been killed n action. He was a very quiet and industrious youth.
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| From the Belfast Newsletter dated 7th September 1916:
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| Private Ernest Clinging, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Fivemiletown, died of wounds.
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| In his will, Ernest left all to his mother.
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| Last Will and Testament of Private Ernest Clinging dated 8th December 1915
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| Any cash remaining to be handed to my mother, Mrs Maggie Clinging, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone Ireland. Signature Earnest Clinging, Service No. 17586, 9th Battalion, Inniskilling Fusiliers. Date 8th December 1915
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| Private Ernest Clinging is buried in Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, in France. During the First World War, Le Treport was an important hospital centre. His inscription reads: FORGET HIM NO, I NEVER WILL AS YEARS ROLL ON I MISS HIM STILL HIS SORROWING MOTHER
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| Private Clinging is commemorated locally on Fivemiletown War Memorial and also on the WWI Roll of Honour in St John's Church Fivemiletown.
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| The CWGC record Private Ernest Clinging as the son of Mrs M Clinging of Fivemiletown, County Tyrone.
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| Private Ernest Clinging is listed on page 40-41 of the Fivemiletown book, from which most of these details come from. Many thanks to Mark Byers for the information.
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