Personal Details

Born: In 1886 in Crossmolina, County Mayo, Ireland. (the records differ as to his year of birth which could have been as early as 1874)

Family: He was the son of  Michael and Ellen Loftus. He married Emily Clewley on 8 March 1909 at St. George`s Roman Catholic Church, Whitchurch, Shropshire. They had ten children – Alice, Mary Ellen, Ann Catherine, Norah, Mary Jane, Josephine, Margaret, John T, William P and Bernard.

Residence: In 1911 he and his family were living at 5 Castle Hill, Whitchurch, Shropshire.  On his Attestation document an address of 8 Dodington, Whitchurch was given for him. By 1939 he was living at 30 George Street, Whitchurch. This continued to be his home until his death in 1951.

Employment: He was a farm labourer.

Died: In 1951 in Whitchurch, Shropshire and buried in Whitchurch Cemetery on 30 November 1951, aged 77.

Military Details

Regiment: King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Rank: Private

Service Number: 18911

Date of Enlistment: 14 September 1915

Date of Discharge: 20 September 1916

Reason for Discharge: No longer physically fit for war service