Patrick McGough

Patrick McGough (Service no. 58572) was a First World War Soldier with links to Halswell

Patrick McGough was born about 1886 in Kilnacranfy, a small town in County Monaghan, Ireland. His father was Pat McGough who was born about 1833 and his
mother was Alice McGough, who was born about 1828, both in County Monaghan. They were still living there when Patrick made his father a benefactor of the Will he filled out before going off to war with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

Patrick was, same as his family, Roman Catholic and apparently some of his brothers and his sister immigrated to New Zealand before eventually immigrating to
other parts of the world. His siblings were: Thomas Edward, who was a stonecutter and immigrated to Philadelphia USA about 1880; Henry/Harry and John, who also immigrated to Philadelphia, though John later returned to Ireland; Mary, who married Owen Ruddy, and James who immigrated to Australia. Patrick immigrated to New Zealand with his brother Owen, a farmer, shepherd and ranch owner.

Patrick and Owen McGough came to New Zealand in 1912 to live and work with their uncle Owen as farm labourers, a position Patrick held till February of 1917 when he was conscripted to fight. He was around 31 years old at this time, and though he was conscripted, he was willing to go to the front. He applied for an extension of time in order to finish the harvest and was allowed till March 31st. Patrick was 5 foot 9 (175cm) and 66kgs, had a ruddy complexion, piercing grey eyes
and brown hair. He was known for his honest and kindly disposition but never married.

He was with a Private (58572) with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Canterbury Regiment, and 1st Battalion, which departed from Wellington New Zealand on the HMNZT 92. He was with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force "C", Coy 29th Rfts and arrived in Glasgow on the 2nd of October 1917. In August 1917, shortly before he left New Zealand, he changed his will leaving everything he had to his brother Owen, possibly because he also resided in New Zealand and was his last known employer. Unfortunately, he was killed in action in the nightmarish battle of the Somme, France, on the 27th of March 1918, when he was 32. He is buried in the New Zealand Memorial in Grevillers, British Cemetery in Pas-de-Calais France. His Memorial plaque is 508110.

Patrick is remembered on the Halswell War Memorial.
 
Related resources
 Online Cenotaph record for Patrick McGough. Auckland War Memorial Museum
 Patrick McGough's military personnel file. Archives New Zealand (Archway)

References
 Roll of honour. Sun, Volume V, Issue 1302, 16 April 1918, Page 1
 Obituary LATE PERSONAL., Star, Issue 12312, 8 May 1918, Page 5
 The fallen and wounded. Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16185, 13 April 1918, Page 11
 The fallen and wounded. Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16188, 17 April 1918, Page 7
 Military Service Boards Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15830, 20 February 1917, Page 3
 Probate of Patrick McGough from Archives New Zealand, accessed through FamilySearch.