Lieutenant Henry Eugene Keown
was born in 1891 to Thomas Heron Keown, Resident Secretary, Life Assurance (1901 Irish Census) and Sarah Jane Keown nee Lewis. They had married on 15th March 1883 at St Mark's Church, Dundela, Belfast. Thomas' occupation is reported as a Bank Clerk. His address is Dundela Villas, Belfast.
In 1901 Henry (10) was living in house 7, Rosetta Avenue, Belfast with his parents and 3 siblings; Thomas Heron (15), Richard Lewis (14) and Jeannie Sterling (3). There were 2 servants, Agnes Gartlan and Beatrice Ellen Dunleavey also present in the house.
Henry would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1908. His father and later his mother and sister also signed the Bankers Guarantee. He is recorded as working in Head Office and Central branches.
Henry would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1908. His father and later his mother and sister also signed the Bankers Guarantee. He is recorded as working in Head Office and Central branches.
Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet
Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street
Belfast Bank, Central branch (Donegall Square North)
In 1910, Henry became the local Scoutmaster for the Bloomfield Patrol.
On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, Henry signed the Ulster Covenant at the City Hall, Belfast giving his address as Dundela Villas, Strandtown, Belfast.
In September 1915, Henry volunteered and enlisted into the 7th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and attained the rank of Lieutenant. His Medal Index Card records Henry's first theatre of war as France from May 1916.
The Belfast News Letter of 26th May 1915 reports:
The Belfast News Letter of 15th September 1916 reports:
Henry was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal. The Medal Roll records that he was attached to the Dublin Light Infantry for a while.
By 1911 Henry was living in house 42, Dundela Avenue, Belfast with his parents and 2 siblings; Richard Lewis and Jeannie Sterling. A servant, Kate Supple was also present in the house. Henry's occupation is recorded as a Bank Official and his father's as a Branch Manager Insurance.
On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, Henry signed the Ulster Covenant at the City Hall, Belfast giving his address as Dundela Villas, Strandtown, Belfast.
In September 1915, Henry volunteered and enlisted into the 7th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and attained the rank of Lieutenant. His Medal Index Card records Henry's first theatre of war as France from May 1916.
H E Keown - Medal Index Card
The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Keown as serving in the 6th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. The booklet also states that he was 'previously wounded' with his last known address 'in France'.
The Belfast News Letter of 26th May 1915 reports:
The Belfast News Letter of 15th September 1916 reports:
Henry was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal. The Medal Roll records that he was attached to the Dublin Light Infantry for a while.
H E Keown - Medal Roll
Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Keown returned to work in the bank.
In addition to banking, Keown returned to Scouting. Aidan Campbell in his book, 'Belmont' describes the picture below:
"A later photograph of the 10th Scout Troop in 1921 in front of a large semi-detached property called 'Dundela Villas' on Dundela Avenue. .... Scoutmaster Harry Keown is sitting in the second row (with moustache and holding dog) outside his family home".
Henry was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club on 26th March 1945 paying 5 shillings subscription. In March 1947, he was working in Central branch.
Retirement came in 1952 and he died on 15th May 1965. Probate recorded him appointing his sister as executor.
"A later photograph of the 10th Scout Troop in 1921 in front of a large semi-detached property called 'Dundela Villas' on Dundela Avenue. .... Scoutmaster Harry Keown is sitting in the second row (with moustache and holding dog) outside his family home".
[Photo courtesy of 10th Scout Troop, Andrew Totten]
Henry was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club on 26th March 1945 paying 5 shillings subscription. In March 1947, he was working in Central branch.
Retirement came in 1952 and he died on 15th May 1965. Probate recorded him appointing his sister as executor.
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