Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch
Coagh - Those That Served
F25912   Aircraftman Robert William McKeown
Dated added: 01/06/2017
Last updated: 09/04/2019
Personal Details
Regiment/Service:
Royal Naval Air Service (British Navy)
Date Of Birth:
17/04/1881
Died:
 (Survived The War)
Age:
Summary
Robert McKeown was the third son of Robert and Eliza McKeown. He was born on 17th April 1881 in Tamlaght, near Coagh. He was one of nine children. By 1901 he was a grocer’s assistant. His father was a farmer. Prior to the war he was foreman for several years to Messrs David Anderson and Son, Cookstown. In October 1916, he volunteered to serve his country in the Royal Navy Air Service, and has been accepted. Aircraftman Robert William MacKeown survived the war.
Further Information
The History of Coagh booklet lists Aircraftman Robert McKeown as having served with the Royal Naval Air Service in the war.
Robert McKeown was the third son of Robert and Eliza McKeown. Robert McKeown and Eliza Skeffington were married on 17th October 1872 in the district of Cookstown.
Robert William McKeown was born on 17th April 1881. He was one of nine children. All the children were born in the Moneymore – Coagh area.
Family: Robert MacKeown, Eliza MacKeown, John MacKeown (born 7th January 1874), Jane MacKeown (born 22nd December 1874), Annie MacKeown (born 24th April 1876), James MacKeown (born 14th March 1878), Margaret MacKeown (born 17th March 1880), Robert William MacKeown (born 17th April 1881), George MacKeown (born 17th March 1884), Elizabeth MacKeown (born 8th May 1886), Ellen Nellie MacKeown (born 10th August 1887).
The 1901 census lists Robert W MacKeown as age 18, living with the family at house 15 in Tamlaght, Springhill, County Londonderry. He was a grocer’s assistant. His father was a farmer.
The 1911 census lists Robert MacKeown as age 28, as living with the family at house 13 in Tamlaght, Springhill. He was a grocer’s assistant.
Prior to the war he was foreman for several years to Messrs David Anderson and Son, Cookstown.
In October 1916, he volunteered to serve his country in the Royal Navy Air Service, and was accepted.
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th October 1916:
Mr Robert W McKeown, foreman for several years to Messrs David Anderson and Son, Cookstown, has volunteered to serve his country in the Royal Navy Air Service, and has been accepted. He will leave Cookstown in about a month for training.
Aircraftman Robert William MacKeown survived the war.
Read more
Relevant Coagh Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Tamlaght Tamlaght Census listing in Tamlaght 54.650747 -6.625729
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists MacKeown family Lists Robert W as age 18 living with the family at house 15 in Tamlaght, Springhill, Londonderry
2 1911 Census lists MacKeown family Lists Robert as age 28 as living with the family at house 13 in Tamlaght, Springhill, Londonderry
3 National Archives UK Medal card can be purchased here
4 Sister - Ellen Nellie McKeown Also served in the the war
Coagh & District in WW1
2018-2022