The History of Coagh booklet lists Aircraftman Robert McKeown as having served with the Royal Naval Air Service in the war.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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Prior to the war he was foreman for several years to Messrs David Anderson and Son, Cookstown.
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In October 1916, he volunteered to serve his country in the Royal Navy Air Service, and was accepted.
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From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 28th October 1916:
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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.
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Aircraftman Robert William MacKeown survived the war.
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