Holley, Wilfred John

2nd Lieutenant Wilfred John Holley

was born in Wellington, Somerset, England to William Holley, Chair Maker and Alice Holley nee Webber on 17th February 1896.  

In 1901 Wilfred lived in Golden Hill, Wiveliscombe, Wellington, Somerset, England with his parents and sister, Hilda.

By 1911, Wilfred (15) had moved to Belfast and was living with his uncle, Dr M F Cahill and aunt, Lucie Cahill in house 3, University Square, Windsor Ward, Belfast. 

The 'Mid-Ulster Mail' of 7th June 1913 carried an advertisement for Skerry's College, 142 Royal Avenue, Belfast. It advised readers that W J Holley had success in being appointed to Northern bank.

On 10th June 1913, Holley joined Northern Bank and was posted to Royal Avenue branch as Junior.

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

A transfer to Head Office followed in January 1915.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Belfast 

Wilfred joined the Perse School, Cambridge Officers' Training Corps (OTC) and then transferred into Queen's University OTC.

On 26th August 1915, Wilfred volunteered and enlisted into the 9th Shropshire Light Infantry. He was listed in the London Gazette as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant. The 'Northern Whig' and the 'Belfast News Letter' published on 30th August 1915 both reported on his commission.

Medal Index Card - W J Holley

Wilfred was discharged from the army in October 1916. The 'Birmingham Daily Post' of 24th March 1917 reported that Temp 2nd Lt W J Holley relinquished his commission on account of ill health and is granted the honorary rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

He re-joined Northern Bank at Head Office on 19th April 1917. Transfers followed to Shaftesbury Square (1917 - Cashier), Dungannon (1917 - Cashier), Head Office (1919 - Cashier), Cushendall (1920 - Cashier), Shercock (1920 - Cashier) and Hillsborough (1920 - Cashier).

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch

Northern Bank, Cushendall branch (1922 burning)

Northern Bank, Shercock branch

Wilfred Holley died in early 1961 aged 65 in Taunton, Somerset, England.