John MCCLOY Story and Descendants

John MCCLOY born in Ballymena, County Antrium Ireland about 1835, parents George MCCLOY and Jean BEATZ. Died 1906, in Bendigo, Victoria.

John Joined the Irish Constabulary in 1852. At the start of the Crimean war he Joined Land Transport Corps, Second Battalioon 30/3/1855 for service in the Crimea. Information from a newspaper report - 1906 Bendigo.

"MCCLOY passed through the memorable struggle unscathed, and through he generally displayed a quiet and reserved a quiet and reserved air in later life, refraining from boastful references to his experiences in the campaign, he often dwelt with relish on the great struggle at Inkerman. MCCLOY was on active service on the occasion of the charge of the Light Brigade and rose from the trenches to the position of troop-sergeant. Ultimately, when the evacuation of the Crimea took place , and when the formidable fortress at Sevastapol had been reduced to ruins, MCCLOY returned with the troops to England. It was indeed a day of days to him when he was presented with a silver medal with clasp and badge attached for his services in the Crimea. MCCLOY got his discharge in 1856, and subsequently served in the Irish Constabulary Forces. In 1857 he was attracted to Australia by the reports of a golden land, and soon after his arrival in Melbourne he made his way to the diggings at Bendigo, where he since remained. In later years the late Mr. MCCLOY followed the occupation of a cab proprietor, and he was a well-known figure on the jobbing and White Hills ranks. A grown-up family of three sons and four daughters survive. The sons are Messrs. J. MCCLOY (of Boulder City, W.A.), Thos. MCCLOY ( who is employed at the Bendigo Cemetery), and Robt. MCCLOY, also a Bendigo resident."

John married Ann FLANAGAN; b Abt. 1838 Queens County, Ireland died 1903 Bendigo; in 1862, at R C Church, St James, Richmond.

Family

• 1 Thomas George MCCLOY, b cDecember 1863 in Bendigo, d Abt. 1865 Sandhurst.
• 2 Mary Jane MCCLOY b 1864, Bendigo, d 1914, Melbourne, buried Coburg. She married William PLATTS/KELLY in 1902. They married with the name of "PLATTS" and changed it to "KELLY" sometime after their marriage in 1902 and before they died in 1914 . Their children are - Ernest (my grandfather) b 1885; William Patrick b 1886; Francis b 1888; Albert Leo b 1890; Sarah Rose b 1892.
• 3 William James MCCLOY b c1862 married Louisa Francis. They had 3 daughters Ethyl, Francis and Jean. William moved to Boulder in WA where he married Lizzie HARTLEY. Both William d 1939, and Lizzie d 1960, are buried at Karrakatta Cemetery in WA.
• 4 Sarah Anne MCCLOY b c1866.
• 5 Thomas George MCCLOY b 1868, d 1938 Bendigo.
• 6 Robert Andrew MCCLOY b 1873
• 7 Margaret Ellen MCCLOY b 1876, married Carl August Boldt 1902
• 8 Rose MCCLOY b c1878 Bendigo

Ernest Platts / Kelly married Alice Parsons and the had two daughters and one son. Further information can be obtained by contacting Robyn Kelly at rrkelly@origin.net.au

Thankyou Robyn & Robert Kelly for the above information.