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Pte. John McMahon
British Army 2nd Btn. Royal Irish Fusiliers
from:Clones, Co. Monaghan, Ireland
(d.2nd Oct 1915)
John McMahon, born in Cara Street in Clones in 1892 was one of those who never came home. The youngest of the 13 children of William & Mary McMahon, John grew up in a staunch nationalist home environment, with his mother and many of his siblings taking an active role in the struggle for Irish independence. The harsh economic realities of life in the early years of the 20th century drove John down a different path and seen him enlisting in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. For many young men of his generation the British Army offered an opportunity for gainful employment and the excitement of travelling to the far corners of the then flourishing British Empire.
Before the outbreak of World War 1 John was stationed in India, but in 1915 as hostilities escalated, John`s regiment was recalled to England prior to being deployed to the Western Front. Hoping he would be given some rest and relaxation after the seven week arduous journey on the high seas, John penned a letter to his mother back home in Clones. It would be the last contact Mary McMahon had with her youngest son.
Dear Mother, Just a few lines hoping to find you well as I am well myself. We arrived in England on the 21st of this month, we were 7 weeks on the water. I got your letter when we arrived in camp. We are in Winchester Camp and it is very cold. We don't know when we are for the front. I expect it won't be very long. We might get 5 days pass, if I do you can expect me home in a couple of days. Goodbye, Wright soon Johnie.
Private John McMahon, aged 23 years, died by a sniper`s bullet on Saturday 2nd of October 1915. His mortal remains lay in Hangard Communal Cemetery in the Somme region of Northern France.
