Houston, Thomas

Lieutenant Thomas Houston MC

Houston was born at Market Street, Magherafelt on 26th February 1894 to William Kerr Houston, Boot and Shoe Merchant and Jane Hannah Houston previously Steele (widowed, married John Steele, a boot and shoe merchant, 1884). They had married by 'special licence' on 25th September 1890 at Edenmore, Coleraine into the Form & Discipline of the Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Houston (6) was living in house 6 Market Street, Magherafelt with his parents, a step-sister and 3 siblings; Annie E Steele (14 *), William E (8), Joseph M (6) and Helen F (4). A servant, Margaret Moore and a workman, John Wilkinson were also present in the property.

(*) Annie Elizabeth Steele was born at Market Street, Magherafelt on 10th July 1886 to John Steele, Boot and Shoe Merchant and Jane Steele nee Henry. They had married on 18th July 1884 at Magherafelt Presbyterian Church. John Steele, 40, Leather Merchant died on 21st August 1886 at Market Street, Magherafelt. 

In 1911 Houston's parents were living in house 21 Market Street, Magherafelt with 2 daughters; Helen L (15) and Ruth (9). A servant, Maggie Moore and 2 visitors, Annie Dougan and Mary Donaghy were also present in the property.

On Census Day, 2nd April 1911 Houston (17) was boarding with the Stephenson family in house 47 Market Street, Magheranure, Cootehill, County Cavan. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

The bank staff ledger records Houston as joining Northern Bank on 6th September 1911 at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Transfers followed to Raphoe (1911 - Junior), Lurgan (1913 - Junior) and Head Office (1916).

Northern Bank, Lurgan branch

The Northern Bank Centenary Volume (1925) records Houston as volunteering and enlisting into the Cadet Company, (Princess Victoria's) Royal Irish Fusiliers as a Private. The bank staff ledger records him volunteering on 25th April 1916 with his unit being the ‘Artists Rifles’. 

Thomas Houston - Medal Index Card

(Address: 42 Wellington Park, Belfast

Houston was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 10th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers and later posted to the 1st Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers.

The Belfast News Letter of 31st March 1917 reports:

Houston was later promoted to Lieutenant. The Medal Index Card records his first theatre of war as France from 20th April 1918. He saw action with the Allied Advances 1918, was injured by a gunshot wound to the neck (Northern Bank Centenary Volume, 1925).

The Belfast News Letter of 21st September 1918 reports the awarding of the Military Cross (MC):

The Belfast News Letter of 11th November 1918 reports the awarding of the Military Cross (MC):

Demobilisation for Houston came in October 1919. As an officer, Houston applied for his British Victory Medal and the British War Medal on 28th February 1923.

Memorial tablet in the 

Union Road Presbyterian Church, Magherafelt 

[Courtesy of Nigel Henderson].

Houston is also recorded on the 'also served' section of the Coleraine Academical Institution war memorial.

Following his demobilisation, Thomas re-joined the Northern Bank on 10th November 1919 at Head Office. He stayed in Head Office until 1925 when he was transferred to Grafton Street (Sub-Manager).

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin

The Northern Whig of 8th August 1929 reported the engagement of Thomas to Miss Amy Margaret Wills with the wedding taking place in September.

Their marriage took place on 4th September 1929 at St Alban C of E, Streatham Park, London. 

Transfers followed to Kells (1935 - Manager) and Limavady (1943 - Manager).

The Belfast News-Letter of 9th September 1936 reports the birth of a son on 2nd September 1936 at the Park Nursing Home, Dublin to Mr & Mrs T Houston, Northern Bank House, Kells, Co. Meath.

The Belfast News-Letter of 6th August 1949 reported the death of Amy Margaret Houston nee Wills at Dublin on 5th August 1949 of Northern Bank House, Limavady.

Cheques drawn on Northern Bank, Limavady branch, 1963

Bank description from Ulster Architectural Heritage group

Thomas Houston, 61, of City Hotel, Londonderry died on 5th November 1955 at Boswell's Hotel, Molesworth Street, Dublin. His death was registered in Dublin by his son, J C Houston of 46 Leeson Park, Dublin.

Probate (NI) was granted to Edith Ann Dudgeon, widow and Henry Leslie Wills, bank official. His effects were £3,374 13s 2d. The probate (England) recorded his effects as £1,425 15s 10d.

Additional personal information courtesy of Nigel Henderson.