Lieutenant George Alexander Maginnis (203952) served in B Company, 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during the Second World War. Born on 10th May 1911, he was the son of Edward Maginnis and Matilda Maginnis (née Orr) of Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone.
George’s education took place at The Royal School, Armagh, Co. Armagh. He played rugby for the school and went on to represent Ulster in the sport. He received his call up on to the Royal Ulster Rifles on 6th September 1941.
George died on 18th July 1944 aged 33 years old. At the time, 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles was in the Battle of Normandy. They had landed on D-Day, 6th June 1944.
At 0900hrs on 18th July 1944, a mortar bomb landed in the yard of a farm, which served as a base for The Battalion. Shrapnel from the explosion killed the Co. Tyrone man as he stood at the door of B Company Headquarters at Les Mesnil, Breville, Normandy.
George Alexander Maginnis’ grave is in Section IVA, Row B, Grave 13 of Ranville War Cemetery, Ranville, Normandy, France. His headstone bears the inscription:
He fought and died that others might live in freedom.