George Thomas McIlroy

George and his brother Arthur died on the same day while serving with the 4th and 1st Battalions of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, New Zealand Expeditionary Force respectively. The brothers have no known graves and are commemorated in the New Zealand Apse of the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Obituary

Mr. and Mrs. J. W. McIlroy, of Cowper Street, Greymouth, received word last week that their fifth son, George had been killed in action on October 12. He was born in Kumara, and was 23 years of age. After his primary course at the Kumara school he was educated for six years at the Nelson College, and was one of the foremost, both as a scholar and as an athlete. He went to Dunedin and was articled to the firm of Messrs. Statham and Aspinall, solicitors. In Dunedin he sat for a military examination and obtained his lieutenancy. Under the New Zealand defence system, and especially after the outbreak of war, he was kept very busy in training men. Finally he obtained leave to go to the front and left New Zealand with the seventeenth reinforcements, being officer commanding G Company. His promotion to a captaincy was rapid, and for some time past he and his brother, who also joined the forces, have been in the thick of the fighting. (Auckland Weekly News, 8 November 1917, p. 22)

IN MEMORIAM

McILROY. - In sad but loving memory of our dear sons and brothers, CAPTAIN GEORGE and SERGEANT ARTHUR McILROY, 17th Reinforcements, N.Z.R.B., Killed in Action at Passchendaele Ridge, October 12th, 1917.

In the old home you are fondly remembered,

Sweet, tender memories cling round your name,

True hearts that held you in fondest affection,

Always will love you in death the same.

(Inserted by their loving parents, sisters and brothes, 5 Cowper Street, Greymouth).

Source: Grey River Argus , 11 October 1919, Page 2

• Rank: Lieutenant
• Service No: 24311
• Date of Death: 12/10/1917
• Age: 22
• Regiment/Service: New Zealand Rifle Brigade "G" Coy. 1st Bn. 3rd
• Panel Reference: N.Z. Apse, Panel 7.
• Memorial: TYNE COT MEMORIAL
• Additional Information: Son of William John and Mary Ann Laura McIlroy, of 108, Rossall St., Christchurch. Native of Kumara, Greymouth.

Links:

• Cenotaph Record
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record
• New Zealand War Graves Record