Conolly Robert McCausland, M.C. D.L. J.P.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Military Service: 1939-1945, France; 2nd Battalion IRISH GUARDS

Notes:

Conolly Robert McCausland fought in the Second World War and was reportedly so deeply moved by what he had witnessed that he converted to Catholicism around 1941. He has inherited the estate in 1938 after his father's death but it was a clause in the Will that no Catholic could inherit or own the estate. The Trustees which local solicitor WA Ingram of Martin, King, French and Ingram was one and Sir Norman Stronge was another took the view that Conolly forfeited his claim on the estate and he had signed the will with the clause a number of years previously. At first Conolly did not object to this and indeed forfeited the estate selling its contents to his sister who took it over. Shortly after WA Ingram passed away, Ingram was the last living person to know the events around the will, Conolly decided to take the issue up in court. The whole episode caused great emotional and financial distress to the family. Conolly lost the case for himself but he also had his son Marcus as one of the co-Plaintiff. The Court ruled in favour of Marcus stating that as he was too young the clause did not apply and that the estate would pass to him on him coming of age. Conolly would see effigy of himself burnt outside the gates of Drenagh and in the town of Limavady itself. A tragic episode in the history of the family and estate.

Conolly married Margaret Louisa Edgcumbe on 6 Jun 1932 in Watford, Hertfordshire. Margaret (daughter of Kenelm William Edward Edgcumbe, 6th Earl of Mount Edgcumbe and Lilian Agnes Arkwright) was born on 21 Mar 1912 in Watford, Hertfordshire; died on 5 Apr 1988 in Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Caroline married Simon Maxwell Weatherby [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Piers married Elizabeth Duff [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]