Ferris, John Lindsay

Lieutenant John Lindsay Ferris

was born in Ballinamore on 13th April 1881 to Robert Foster Ferris (Bank Manager) and Maud Ferris nee Lindsay. They were married on 18th June 1879 at First Drumbanagher Presbyterian Church, 

In 1901, John was living at 11 Eglantine Gardens, Belfast with his parents and a sister, Agnes Norah (17). A cousin, Alice Kennedy (14) is also in the property. Both the father and John have their occupations recorded as Bank Official.

Robert Ferris (John's father. Bank Official. 56) died on 20th January 1905 at Grey Lawn, Kensington Road, Belfast.

Agnes Ferris (John's sister) had married Robert Garrett on 8th September 1909.

In 1911 John is living with his mother in house 232 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast.

John Ferris joined Northern Bank on 14th August 1897 at Head Office – Secretary’s Department.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

 Transfers followed with Relief staff (1908) and Donegall Square (1912 - Accountant). 

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch (Donegall Square West)

Ferris played golf in the first Northern Bank golf outing on 21st March 1913 at Dunmurry:

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie

On 12th March 1915, John enlisted into the 18th Bn. Irish Rifles, aged 33, before being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He was posted to the 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and then transferred to the Machine-Gun Corps. 

J L Ferris - Medal Index Card

John saw service with the British Expeditionary Force and was to see action in the Somme 1916 (Thiepval), Arras (Hindenburg Line) and the Allied Advance 1918. He had been promoted to Lieutenant.

Demobilisation came on 22nd March 1919. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Following demobilisation, John re-joined the Northern Bank on 14th April 1919 in Head Office. Transfers followed to Connswater Agency (1919), Head Office (1920), Ballynafeigh (1921 - Manager), Head Office (1931 - HO Ledgers) and Shaftesbury Square (1940 - Accountant). 

Whilst in Ballynafeigh branch, John was elected Honorary Treasurer of the Ormeau Golf Club (1922).

John Ferris retired on 28th February 1941. 

He is commemorated on the Fortwilliam Park Congregational Church Roll of Honour.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (August 1981)’ contains a photograph of Ferris in a 1913 Northern Bank Staff Golf outing.

John Ferris (88) died on 5th February 1970 at 104 Castlehill Road, Belfast. He is buried in Plot C1408, Roselawn Cemetery, Belfast. His widow, Anne Elizabeth Ferris died in 1988 and is buried with her husband.