GALLIPOLI…
In memory of Stephens family member James McGinley from Donegal (Royal Dublin Fusiliers, regimental number 17608) whose life was ended in a cruel and horrendous manner due to his participation in the futile invasion of Turkey by the British Army and its allies, 100 years ago.
Entered battle, May 15th 1915.
Managed to stay alive amid the shelling for almost 3 weeks.
Died in action, June 4th 1915.
Body never found.
Remembered with an inscription at the Helles Memorial.
James’s son Fr. William (Jim) McGinley, was a great source of pride to Stephens clan, left Donegal and served as a US Army chaplain in WW2 and Korea, and by unique co-incidence was later Patricks family priest in Bakersfield, California; indirectly connecting the two lads, resulting in their purchase of Milltown House…
Stephen McPhilemy laying grave of his clan member and Donegal native, Father William McGinley. Buried in Bakersfield, California; far from his beloved birthplace – Donegal, Ireland
Remember all who fell in this slaughter. British, Irish, ANZAC, French, Canadian, Indian and Turkish.
(Thank you to Caoimhe McPhilemy for her consistently excellent historical research, well worth her Dad gifting an annual subscription to ancestry.com)
