To my Great Uncle, Michael John McCarthy, born on 27 June 1888 in Woolwich to my Great Grandparents, Jeremiah and Elizabeth McCarthy (nee Donovan). You were the eldest of their five children and sadly by 1909 you and my grandmother, Mary, were the only surviving members of your family. 

I was told you were terrified of going to war but you bravely did your duty and paid the ultimate price. However, your memory lived on in that my grandmother chose Michael as my father's middle name. 

As a little girl, I remember my grandmother always had a picture of you in your Army uniform on the wall above the fireplace but years later it somehow disappeared so, sadly, I have no photo to remember you by.

I wish you had survived the war and had the chance to marry and have a family of your own but it was not to be.

So thank you Great Uncle for making the ultimate sacrifice and although I never met you I will always remember you.

Your loving Great Niece

Jan

JAN WILLIAMS