McIlwaine, James Condy

Company Sergeant Major (CSM) James Condy McIlwaine

was born at Strandtown, Belfast on 30th July 1891 to James McIlwaine, Gardener and Annie McIlwaine nee Condy. They had married on 15th May 1890 at Great Victoria Street Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 James (9) is living in house 123, West Division, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim with his parents and 4 siblings; Eva (8), John (6), Gilbert (5) and Alfred (4). They were members of Joymount Presbyterian Church, Carrickfergus.

On 5th December 1907 James joined Northern Bank at Head Office.  

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Fintona (1908 - Junior), Oldcastle (1911 - Junior), Grafton Street (1913 - Relief), Head Office (1913 - Junior) and Coleraine (1913 - Junior).

Northern Bank, Fintona branch

Northern Bank, Oldcastle branch

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin branch

Northern Bank, Coleraine branch

By 1911, James was living in house 8, North Street, Carrickfergus with his parents and his 4 siblings. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Official.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, James signed the Ulster Covenant at Carrickfergus Court House.

Whilst working in Coleraine, James volunteered and enlisted on 15th September 1914 into the 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles (RIR) as a Private with Service Number 12/18305. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 5th October 1915.

J C McIlwaine - Medal Index Card

James was promoted first to Lance Corporal and through the ranks to Company Sergeant Major (CSM). Service was seen in the Somme 1916, Messines 1917, Ypres 1917 (Langemarck), St. Quentin 1918, Messines 1918 (Kemmel) and then the Allied Advance 1918.

Demobilisation came on 11th March 1919. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

J C McIlwaine - Medal Roll 1

 

J C McIlwaine - Medal Roll 2

James married  Miss Ellen Grant on 21st March 1919 at 10 Victoria Avenue, Newtownards in the Usages of the Methodist Church. 

James re-joined the Northern Bank on 1st April 1919 at Donegall Square branch. 

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

Transfers followed to Crumlin Road (1920 - Cashier), Coleraine (1922 - Cashier and Sub-Manager), Boyle (1927 - Manager), Oldcastle (1933 - Manager), Head Office (1939 - Inspector and 1941 - Assistant Chief Cashier).

James is named on the Roll of Honour in the New Row, Coleraine Presbyterian Church. He is also recorded on this website Carrickfergus Roll of Honour. where he is recorded as achieving the rank of Company Sergeant Major. The site also records him as being taken prisoner at the Somme in July 1916.

Ellen McIlwaine is recorded on an Ancestry family tree as dying on 26th September 1939 at Oldcastle.

James McIlwaine retired on pension on 31st December 1952.