Lockhart, John Thomas

Lance Corporal John Thomas Lockhart

Lockhart was born at Cargin, Forkhill, Co. Armagh on 29th January 1890 to John Lockhart (Sergeant, Royal Irish Constabulary) and Margaret Lockhart nee Magill. They had married on 6th September 1883 at Eglinton (Street) Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

John Lockhart (Senior) died at Portballintrae on 13th March 1908 aged 52. He had been a Petty Sessions Clerk.

In 1911, John (21) was living in house 19, Orient Gardens, Cliftonville, Belfast with his mother (51) and 3 siblings; Frederick James (26), Ellie (24) and Joanna (22). John has recorded his occupation as a Bank Clerk.

John later joined the Belfast Banking Company and worked in Head Office. 

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

John's father, John Lockhart of Bushmills signed his Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee Ledger

A later Bankers Guarantee was signed by Robert Lockhart of 33 Bedford Street, Belfast and Margery Kate Lockhart of Belfast Bank House, Londonderry.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee Ledger

In April 1913, John passed the final examination of the Institute of Bankers, gaining first place in Ireland and third in the United Kingdom.

In September 1914, John volunteered and enlisted into 'D Squadron’, North Irish Horse and attained the rank of Lance Corporal. His Service Number is recorded as 1219 with the NIH. Another number, 71288 is recorded with the Corps of Hussars.

J H Lockhart - Medal Index Card

This photograph and article about John Lockhart appeared in the Coleraine Chronicle in January 1915:

[Image courtesy of Nigel Henderson]

It describes Lockhart as having left Antrim with his troop some time ago en route for active service, and is now temporarily quartered near Bedford.

His Medal Index Card records John's first theatre of war as France from 1st May 1915.

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet describes Lockhart as 'being in hospital' with his last known address as Queenstown, Ireland.

John was demobilised in 1919 and transferred to the Class Z Army Reserve. 

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Lockhart returned to work in the bank. various newspaper extracts record him as working in Ballymena branch prior to his transfer as manager on Londonderry.

Belfast Bank, Ballymena branch

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

The Belfast News-Letter of 3rd June 1954 reports the engagement of John's 3rd daughter, Katherine Elizabeth (Betty) to E B C Gwinnell. John is mentioned as having been awarded the MBE.

Retirement for John came in 1945. 

PRONI Will Calendars records Lockhart, John Thomas of 35 Carolhill Park, Holywood Road, Belfast retired bank manager, died 16th December 1961. Probate Belfast, 27th April 1962 to Belfast Bank Executor and Trustee Company Limited. Effects £2008 12s. 11d.

Further information on John Lockhart is recorded on the excellent North Irish Horse website.