| W John Corr/Coyle/Rankin was born about 1900 in County Tyrone. His mother Catherine ‘Kate’ Coyle married William J Corr about 1903.
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| The 1911 census lists him as the stepson of W.J. Corr of Drumad, Coagh and is called W. John Coyle, aged 11.
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| William John Corr’s service history is complicated. Throughout his very patchy records, he is referred to as both Rankin and Corr.
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| Originally, he had enlisted as W J Corr. He produced a birth certificate to say he was W J Rankin on 10th July 1915.
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| On signing up to join Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 5 feet 3 inches and 108 lbs. On enlistment he claims he is 19 yrs and 4 days from Aghavey, Coagh. He lists his next of kin as his mother, Kate Coyle.
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| During his army career he had many "run ins" with authority - absent without leave, and drunkenness lateness on parade. He was also charged with stealing a blanket at camp in Drumree.
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| He served in France from 18th Feb. 1916 to 12th Sept 1916, and was wounded in action 2nd August 1918(?). He was invalided in England on 22/10/1918(?) due to gunshot wounds to the forearm.
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| On 06 January 1917, he was placed in army reserve until he reached 18 years old.
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| He died from inflammation of the stomach, caused by tuberculosis in Richmond Hospital, Dublin.
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| Following a letter from his parents that he should be exhumed and brought home, a letter from the army stating where he had been buried was sent to W.J. Corr, Drumad, Coagh.
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| The local parish priest Rev. P. Quinn from Coalisland on behalf of W.J. Corr wrote to war office to confirm he was a single man.
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| W John’s wife Sophie and one child were awarded 36 shillings and 8 pence per week on 9/10/1919.
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| His wife Sophie Rankin wished he be buried in Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin.
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| On 01/04/1920 his memorial scroll was sent to his now remarried wife Mrs Sophie Thompson of 4 Gilbert’s Court, Lurgan.
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| His records which are very limited and confusing, states he was 42468 Royal Irish Fusiliers,4/42749, 4th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and 22719 -Royal Irish Rifles--this is presumably because he signed on under age and was placed in army reserve.
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