| David McIlree was listed on Panel Two of the World War One memorial in Coagh Orange Hall to those who served. He was one of eight brothers who served, four of whom were listed on the memorial.
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| David McIlree was the son of John and Eliza Martha McIlree (nee McGee).
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| David was born on 27th September 1879 in the Coagh area.
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| Known family: John McIlree, Eliza Martha McIlree, Herbert McIlree, Andrew McIlree (born about 1871, Ardboe), Elizabeth McIlree (born 14th February 1871), John McIlree (16th October 1872), William McIlree (born 21st January 1875), Robert McIlree (born 28th May 1877), David McIlree (born 27th September 1879), Hessie McIlree (born 26th May 1882), Samuel McIlree (18th July 1884), Leslie McIlree (born 27th May 1886), Mary Martha McIlree (born about 1889), Alexander Sandy McIlree (born 29th September 1890), Maggie Agnes McIlree (born 3rd June 1893).
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| Private David McIlree served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the South African War between 1900 and 1902. He had the service number 5857.
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| The 1901 census does not list David as living with the family at house 6 in Duffless in Tullaghogue, County Tyrone. John McIlree was an agricultural labourer.
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| The 1911 census does not list David as living with the family at house 23 in Tullyveagh, Red Row Village, Coagh, Tyrone.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 23rd January 1915:
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| Mrs McIlree of Drapersfield, Cookstown, has eight sons serving in the army at present, which probably constitutes a record for County Tyrone. John and David are at present at Randalstown, in the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Herbert and Andrew are in the North Irish Horse; Leslie is in the 6th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; which has gone to the front lately; William is in the Welsh Mountain Artillery; Sandy is in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Samuel is in the Field Artillery at the front. Three of them (John, David and Andrew) have South African war medals. John and Andrew were also in the Indian frontier war, 1897-98.
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 20th November 1915: Private D McIlree in France
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| Private D McIlree, who is in France in the Ulster Division, writing to his sister at Drapersfield on 9th November, says he is well and is proud to once again have on the uniform, and to have so many brothers serving their country. Referring to his brother Alex, killed in action, he says it was in a good cause and he is himself prepared for a like fate on behalf of the cause should it be demanded of him. He says it is no picnic at the front at present, but all are cheerful. The writer is one of the six sons of Widow McIlree, all of whom are soldiers, the youngest having fallen.
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| Lance Corporal David McIlree served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in World War One.
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| Lance Corporal David McIlree was 39 years old when the war ended. He was discharged on 16th February 1919.
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| World War Two
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| From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 12th October 1940: Army Veteran’s Wife Gets Off
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| Mrs Sarah McIlree of Coagh was charged with a similar offence (misuse of sugar) on 14th April. The District Inspector said that the defendant got 14 lbs. of sugar. He thought there were extenuating circumstances. The defendant’s husband, David McIlree (who appeared in court), had been discharged off the Army. He had been in three wars and wanted to take part in the present one. David McIlree said he had been discharged off the Army recently. His wife did not think she was doing wrong. Allowed off on payment of costs.
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