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This story was contributed by Bruce Logan.
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Included on the list of names on Portstewart War Memorial is the name of Jack Tannahill, who died serving in the New Zealand army.

Jack was born and raised in Portstewart, Northern Ireland. His parents owned the Tannahill clothing company, at Coleraine waterside. They sold the drapery business, and with Jack and his sister Edith they emigrated to New Zealand. They intended to live with Jack's mother's sister, and take up farming.

However, they didn't get a warm welcome from the sister. They stayed with her for a few months, then they decided to return and live in Portstewart again. Jack went back to live in New Zealand once more, and seek his fortune.

Then, in September 1939, war broke out.

New Zealand brought in conscription, while Northern Ireland didn't. So ironically, if Jack had stayed in Portstewart he would not have been conscripted.

Jack served in an army unit that was sent to Crete, to help defend Greece against German invasion. In May 1941 the German paratroopers landed on the island.

Jack was killed in action, near the start of the German attack.

The details are at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission site:

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Jack's father was devastated, and had Jack's name inscribed on the local war memorial and on the father's tombstone in Portstewart.

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