Claremen and the First World War Exhibition

McInerney, Anthony, Private, 11th Bn., Royal Canadian Mounted Rifles

Exhibits: facsimile of Service Record, Cap badge.

Anthony McInerney was born 1876 the second youngest of seven children. He trained as a draper and worked at Crannocks Drapery Company of Limerick. After working for a time with Crannock’s he emigrated to South Africa and joined the South African Constabulary in Pretoria from 1904-1907. He emigrated to the USA in 1911 working in various American states as a dry goods salesman/clerk.

He joined the 29th British Columbia regiment of the Canadian Army on 17th March, 1915 and was posted to England July 1916 to complete his training. In November 1916 he was sent to France and he fought with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Regiment, part of the 3rd Canadian Division, in Flanders. He fought at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele (3rd Ypres) where he was wounded by a shell on 26th October 1917. He was invalided back to England where he remained until September 1918 when he returned to France with the 29th British Columbia regiment where he remained until April 1919. He returned to Toronto with the army in May 1919 and from there back to the USA.

He returned to Ireland in 1923 and died in 1959. He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.