Francis McDermott was the son of Terence and Betty McDermott (nee Cunningham). He was born on 12th April 1893 in Foremass, near Ballygawley. He was one of at least four children. They were a farming family. Frank McDermott emigrated to America about 1914. His aunt, Mrs Susan McDermott, lived at West 38th Street, New York. Private Francis McDermott was serving with the Private, 2nd Co, 1st Corps School, when he died of meningitis on 22nd October 1918. Private Francis McDermott was presumably initially buried in France and Flanders. He was later reinterred in Foremass.
Further Information
Francis McDermott was the son of Terence and Betty McDermott (nee Cunningham).
Francis McDermott was born on 12th April 1893 in Foremass, near Ballygawley. He was one of at least four children.
Known family: Terence McDermott, Betty McDermott, Michael McDermott (born about 1891) / Mary McDermott (born 19th June 1891), Francis McDermott (born 12th April 1893), Sarah McDermott (born 27th July 1894), Susan McDermott (born 16th June 1898)
There are a few contradictions regarding the census/GRONI records. No marriage record can be found. The oldest child in the census is called Michael. However, GRONI records suggest it was Mary. For these reason the family details are open to updates.
The 1901 census lists Francis as age 7, living with the family at house 39 in Foremass Upper, County Tyrone. They were a farming family.
The 1911 census lists Frank as age 19, living with the family at house 12 in Foremass Upper, Tyrone. Frank was a farmer, like his father.
Francis McDermott emigrated to America about 1914.
His aunt, Mrs Susan McDermott, lived at West 38th Street, New York.
Private Francis McDermott was serving with the Private, 2nd Co, 1st Corps School, when he died of meningitis on 22nd October 1918.
Private Francis McDermott was presumably initially buried in France and Flanders.
Private McDermott’s remains were returned to Dublin aboard the SS Millwater (a coal freighter which was owned by a coal company called Mellonie and Goulder of Ipswich) from Antwerp on Sunday 7th May 1920. Also on board were the remains of 61 other Irish/American Irish Soldiers who perished in WW1 fighting for the AEF.
Six of these men were taken to Tyrone for burial: Thomas Doris to Ardboe, Patrick Grimes to Killeenan (Kildress), William Tally Mallon to Galbally, Stephen Morris to Greencastle, Frank McDermott to Dunmoyle (Ballygawley) and Michael Kearney to Drumquin.
Private Francis McDermott was reinterred in the Foremass – Dunmoyle area. The coffin would have been bedecked with the Stars and Stripes, and flanked by a colour party of United States soldiers.
No further details of the exact cemetery are available, but he was a Catholic, so it is presumed he is buried in a Catholic graveyard.
