Private Leo (Mick) Aloysius McGuinness

Thanks to Gary Mitchell for granting us permission to share his Facebook posts on our blog.

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Awaiting memorialisation at Sandgate Cemetery, have I been forgotten?

104 years ago today, on the 27th June 1918, Private Leo (Mick) Aloysius McGuinness, 2nd Battalion (Reg No-727C), miner from Toronto, New South Wales, was Killed in Action, age 35?

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1650630 - Roll of Honour.

No Roll of Honour circular submitted.

Born at Quirindi, New South Wales about 1883 to Daniel (died 12.9.1915 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137969011, of Gulliver Street, Hamilton Park, N.S.W.) and Teresa Bridget (Theresa, died 4.6.1919 - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139446629, of "Rosallen", Toronto, N.S.W.) McGuinness, Leo enlisted November 1916 with the 1st Australian Machine Gun Company at Newcastle, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140987006 - reported KIA.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140973653 - report that Leo had been KIA.

Leo is resting at La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck, France. Plot I Row F Grave 15.

Mr. McGuinness’s name has been inscribed on the Toronto Public School Roll of Honour, Toronto Soldiers' Memorial (photos, unveiled on the 30th September 1922, 115 names inscribed, 21 Fallen), Toronto Red Cross Honour Roll, Catherine Hill Bay Roll of Honour and the Catherine Hill Bay Honour Roll of Soldiers.

There is no headstone at parent’s curbed gravesite, therefore no memorial inscription to tell us of their son’s supreme sacrifice during The Great War, so July 2020 I placed a Memorial cross adorned with poppies in remembrance of Leo’s service and sacrifice for God, King & Country. CATHOLIC 1-08. 24.

Younger brother Charles Alphonsus (served as McGUINESS, Reg No-955, 36th Battalion, born 1888, died 1963, Sydney, N.S.W.) also served 1st A.I.F.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134860409 - Charles reported wounded.

Older brother Denis L (served as McGUINESS, Reg No-2610, 33rd Battalion, born 1879, died 1957, Newcastle, N.S.W.) also served 1st A.I.F.

Older brother Daniel James (born 1873, died 1944, Toronto, N.S.W.) enlisted but did not serve.

Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.

Lest we forget