John was born 1st March 1890 in Maine townland within Balteagh Parish County Londonderry, southeast of Limavady to parents John and Annie. How he ended up in Ballynahinch is unclear, however, he was employed by R.B Bailie in the town square who was a watch and clock maker and resided at 19 High Street, roughly where the credit union stands today. John is reported to have been in charge of winding the clock in the market house.
An article in the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph dated 8th April 1911 lists a John McGinnis as an officer of the Limavady Branch of the North Derry Unionist Association. While we can’t be sure this is the same John it is likely him given his membership of the UVF, interest in unionism and the Loyal Orders as well as there were only six John McGinnis recorded in County Londonderry in the 1911 census that would have been old enough at the time.
A committee man of Ballynahinch Temperance LOL 763 and member of First County Down Temperance RBP 3, it is clear John fitted well into the local community.
Last seen laying a telephone wire, John was killed in action on the 1st of July 1916. He has no known grave but is remembered on Thiepval Memorial, Ballynahinch War Memorial and Balteagh Presbyterian Church War Memorial.
Our thanks to Alistair Harper for the photo of Balteagh Presbyterian War Memorial and census, death and birth records relating to John and his family.
Any additional information on John, others named on the War Memorial or anyone listed on our website would be gratefully received.