| Date |
Information |
|
| 06/09/2021 |
Known family: Francis McGrath, Elizabeth McGrath, Alice McGrath (born 26th February 1890), John McGrath (born 1st January 1892), Henry Harry McGrath (born 2nd February 1894). |
| 06/09/2021 |
Henry McGrath was born on 2nd February 1894. He was the youngest of three children known to be born in the Coalisland area. |
| 06/09/2021 |
Private Henry McGrath arrived in France with the 8th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers on 20th September 1915. |
| 06/09/2021 |
 |
| 06/09/2021 |
Henry ‘Harry’ McGrath was the son of Francis and Elizabeth McGrath. Francis McGrath and Elizabeth Kane were married on 26th July 1888 in the district of Armagh. |
| 31/05/2020 |
02584 |
| 30/12/2015 |
From the Port Glasgow Express dated 23 October 1917: |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
McGRATH – In loving memory of our dear son, Private Henry McGrath, aged 22 years, killed in action in Salonika on 23rd October 1916. R.I.P. |
| 30/12/2015 |
“Worth of true respect was he |
| 30/12/2015 |
From those he left behind; |
| 30/12/2015 |
A better son could not be. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Nor one more true or kind. |
| 30/12/2015 |
'He was a good soldier, ever ready to do his duty. I was very fond of him, and he joked with me as he passed through the lines on his last task. All the officers were upset at the loss, and as were the men of the company. I trust that God in His mercy will give you comfort and strength sufficient to bear your heavy burden. It is a dreadful war we are engaged in. I pray earnestly that all this strife and suffering may soon be ended, and that mothers like yourself may be spared such sorrows being forced upon you.' |
| 30/12/2015 |
His cheery ways, his smiling face, |
| 30/12/2015 |
From the Port Glasgow Express dated 10 November 1916: A King Street Boy |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
Readers will remember that some weeks ago Mrs McGrath, 2 King Street, received official intimation that her youngest son, Private Harry McGrath of the Royal Scots Fusiliers, was killed in action at Salonika on 24th October. Some days ago she received a letter from Captain Percy Rea from the trenches in the Balkans. He says that Private McGrath was out with a party raiding a Bulgarian trench when he was shot through the head, and that death must have been instantaneous. He and a fallen comrade were brought back and buried together in a little cemetery, the Rev Atkins, R.C., clergyman, performing the last rites. Private McGrath, the officer writes, died the death of a hero. |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
From the Port Glasgow Express dated 18 December 1916: King Street Boy Dies a Hero - Letter of Sympathy from Officer. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Are pleasant to recall; |
| 30/12/2015 |
 |
| 30/12/2015 |
Oh this earth would be a heaven, |
| 30/12/2015 |
Private Henry McGrath is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery in Greece. |
| 30/12/2015 |
The 8th Battalion was Formed at Ayr on 1st October 1914 as part of K3 and came under orders of 77th Brigade, 26th Division. Moved to Codford St Mary and went into billets in Bristol in November 1914. Moved to Sutton Veny in April 1915. The battalion landed at Boulogne on 20th September 1915, but soon moved and by November 1915 was at Salonika. |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
The CWGC describes Private Henry McGrath as the son of Francis and Elizabeth McGrath of 2 King Street, Port Glasgow. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Private Henry McGrath was serving with the 8th Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers when he was killed in action in the Balkans on 24th October 1916. Private McGrath was out with a party raiding a Bulgarian trench when he was shot through the head, and that death must have been instantaneous. He was 22 years old. |
| 30/12/2015 |
 |
| 30/12/2015 |
Mrs Francis McGrath, residing at 2 King Street, has received official intimation that her youngest son, Private Harry McGrath, Royal Scots Fusiliers, was killed in action in Salonika on 24th October. The deceased was twenty-two years of age, and before the war was employed as an apprentice plumber with Mr John Livingstone. He was a member of St John's Church, and enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war. |
| 30/12/2015 |
On a grave so far from here, |
| 30/12/2015 |
Henry McGrath enlisted shortly after the outbreak of war. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Before the war Henry was employed as an apprentice plumber with a Mr John Livingstone. |
| 30/12/2015 |
The family moved to Scotland. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Inserted by his brothers and sisters, 2 King Street |
| 30/12/2015 |
In death we do the same.' |
| 30/12/2015 |
In life we loved you very dear, |
| 30/12/2015 |
'Tis sweet to breathe thy name; |
| 30/12/2015 |
Peaceful be thy rest dear brother, |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
Oh we think of you dear son, |
| 30/12/2015 |
Where sleeping without dreaming |
| 30/12/2015 |
He had a kindly work for each, |
| 30/12/2015 |
'The midnight stars are gleaming, |
| 30/12/2015 |
McGRATH – In loving memory of our dear brother, Private Henry McGrath, aged 22 years, killed in action in Salonika on 23rd October 1916. R.I.P. |
| 30/12/2015 |
 |
| 30/12/2015 |
From the Port Glasgow Express dated 23 October 1917: |
| 30/12/2015 |
Inserted by his father and mother, 2 King Street. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Could we but hear his voice again.” |
| 30/12/2015 |
And our hearts are filled with pain; |
| 30/12/2015 |
Private Henry McGrath is commemorated on the Port Glasgow War Memorial. This is a freestone cenotaph which stands at the traffic lights on the junction of Fore Street in the Inverclyde District of Glasgow. |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
And he died beloved by all. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Lies the one to us so dear. |
