McSparron, Archibald

2nd Lieutenant Archibald McSparron

was born at Killunaght, Limavady, Co. Londonderry on 16th July 1883 to Andrew McSparron, Farmer and Mary McSparron nee Thompson. They had married on 15th June 1876 at Dungiven Presbyterian Church.

In 1901, Archibald (17) is living in house 5, Killunaght, Owenreagh, Co. Londonderry with his parents and 4 siblings; Sara (24), Emma (23), John (20) and Martha (10). An aunt, Sara Thompson and a servant, Joseph Dougherty are also present in the property.

On 20th March 1902, Archibald  joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Carrickfergus (1902 - Junior), Ball’s Branch (1903 - Junior), Head Office (1903), Grafton Street (1903 - Junior) and Donegall Square (1915 - Accountant).

Cheque drawn on Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin (tall building with chimney's)

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch (middle building)

In 1911, Archibald is boarding with the Montgomery family in house 21, St Lawrence Road, Clontarf West, Dublin. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Official. A possible colleague, Joseph Dunlop Henderson (32 – Bank Official) is also boarding in this house.

His family still reside at the farm in Killunaght, Limavady. Archibald's brother John, his mother, and sisters Emily and Martha are living there. Aunt Sara Thompson also resides there.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, a number of Archibald McSparron’s family signed the Ulster Covenant in Londonderry. 

Whilst serving in Donegall Square, 32 year old Archibald McSparron volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse as a Trooper with Service Number 1811. 

Archibald McSparron - Medal Index Card

Archibald was later prompted to Corporal. Service was seen in the Somme 1916 and in Messines 1917.  before gaining a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Bn. Leinster Regiment on 30th April 1918.

The excellent North Irish Horse website also carries a biography of Archibald McSparron.

"McSparron enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 8 November 1915 (No.1811 – later Corps of Hussars No.71572). At the time he was living at Rosmead, Cavehill Road, Belfast. He was promoted to acting lance corporal on 7 January 1916 and corporal three months later. On 3 August 1916 he embarked for France, joining B or C Squadron of the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment at Flesselles eight days later.

 

He remained with the regiment for a year. In August 1917 orders came that they be dismounted and transferred to infantry. McSparron applied for a commission in the infantry, and left for training in the UK on 24 September 1917. After a short period of leave, on 9 November he reported for duty at No.7 Officer Cadet Battalion at Fermoy. He was assessed as "a good type, should make a good leader", and on 1 May 1918 was appointed 2nd lieutenant and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, The Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians).

 

At the end of September McSparron embarked for France to join the 2nd Leinsters, but instead on 3 October he and four other officers were posted to the 12th Battalion, London Regiment. He took part in the advances over the following weeks leading up to the Armistice.

 

McSparron was demobilised on 14 February 1919 and relinquished his commission on 1 September 1921. He married Mabel Grace Smith at Wandsworth, Surrey, in 1919."

Archibald was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal for service in the Great War.

Corporal Archibald McSparron - Medal Roll

2nd Lieutenant Archibald McSparron - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation, Archibald re-joined the Northern Bank on 10th March 1919 at Head Office. Transfers followed with Grafton Street (1919 - Accountant), Ball’s Branch (1919 - Teller), Bray (1920 - Accountant) and Fintona (1923 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Fintona branch (branded as Danske Bank)

The Bank Staff Record Card records that he married a Miss Mabel G Smith of Worcester Park, Surrey.

Archibald McSparron resigned from the bank in early 1931 and died on 27th June 1967 at 12 Petersfield Road, Petersfield, Hampshire.