Rifleman Nathaniel Morton Magill (14416538) served in 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles during the Second World War. Born in 1925, he was the son of James Magill and Mary Ann Magill (née Erskine) of Britannic Street, Belfast.
Nathaniel had 3 brothers, Thomas John Magill, William Magill, and Andrew Magill, and 4 sisters Evelyn Magill, Sarah “Sally” Magill, Margaret “Peggy” and Jane “Jean” Magill. He was a nephew of Mrs. E Hanna of Belfast, Co. Antrim. Before joining the Royal Ulster Rifles, he first enlisted in the General Service Corps. All brothers served in the British Army during the Second World War, including 2 who saw action with 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles.
Rifleman Magill died at Longueval on 11th June 1944 aged 19 years old. 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles landed near Ranville on D-Day, 6th June 1944 and took part in heavy fighting in the area. On 11th June, Magill’s No. 19 Platoon of D Company came under fire from snipers while advancing on an orchard behind Battalion Headquarters.
Nathaniel Morton Magill’s grave is in Section IIIA, Row F, Grave 4 of Ranville War Cemetery, Ranville, Normandy, France. His headstone bears the inscription:
He died that we might live.