McCusker, Patrick Joseph (1894 - 1916)

Lieutenant, 10th Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers

Buried at Knightsbridge Cemetery, Mesnil-Martinsart

Commemorated at City of Glasgow Roll of Honour at Glasgow City Chambers

Patrick Joseph McCusker was born on the 24th March 1894 in Glasgow, the youngest son of James, an egg merchant, and Annie McCusker, formerly of Dreenan, Dromore, Co. Tyrone, late of Neilston, Renfrewshire. Patrick was educated at Stonyhurst College in Clitheroe, Lancashire and attended the University of Glasgow to study Medicine until he got his commission. He first matriculated in 1912-13 at the age of 18, taking classes in Chemistry and Zoology (GUAS Ref: R8/5/33/5), he matriculated two more times in 1913-14 (GUAS Ref: R8/5/34/5) - Zoology, Practical Chemistry and Laboratory; and in 1914-15 (GUAS Ref: R8/5/35/5) - Anatomy Practical.

The British Medical Journal of December 1916 reported Lieutenant Patrick McCusker wounded and missing, and subsequently killed November 13th-14th.

The Tablet, the international Catholic News Weekly reported on the 9th December 1916:

"We regret to record the loss in action of Lieut. Patrick Joseph McCusker, Royal Dublin Fus., youngest son of Mr. James McCusker, of 132, Trongate, Glasgow, and Dromore, Co. Tyrone. He was educated at Stonyhurst, and was a medical student at Glasgow University at the outbreak of war. A Catholic brother officer writes thus to his parent:- "I was his company Commander from the time he joined, and we were great friends. I feel his loss immensely, as do all officers in the company. He died in the grace of God. He and I were at Confession two days before the battle, and I think he was at Holy Communion on the following morning... Sympathizing with you in your loss."

The Stonyhurst College War Record 1914-1918 records that Lieutenant McCusker was "killed in action in France, November 13th, 1916, at the Capture of Beaumont Hamel, during the Battle of the Ancre 1916, twelfth of the Battles of the Somme, 1916". Lieutenant Patrick Joseph McCusker is buried in the Knightsbridge Cemetery, Mesnil-Martinsart, Somme, France.

Reproduced with permission from the University of Glasgow Roll of Honour: http://www.universitystory.gla.ac.uk/ww1-intro/