Stirling, Thomas

Lieutenant Thomas Stirling

Stirling was born at 44a or 440 Govan Road, Govan, Scotland on 23rd July 1895 to Thomas Stirling (Senior - Night Watchman) and Annie Stirling nee Colvin. They had married on 7th September 1891 in the District of Govan.

In 1901 the family are living in the Govan area of Scotland.

In 1911 Stirling (15) is living in house 6, Liswatty Lower, Knockantern, Co. Londonderry with his parents and brother, William's (19). William and Thomas' (15) birthplace are recorded as Scotland.

Stirling would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1913 and worked in Newry and Head Office. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as Liswatty, Cloyfin, Coleraine.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee

Belfast Bank, Newry branch

Belfast Bank, Head Office

Stirling volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles and attained the rank of Lieutenant in their 20th battalion.

The Londonderry Sentinel of 3rd July 1917 reports the wounding of Stirling:

• The Forces War Record database records a 2nd Lieutenant T Stirling of the Royal Irish Rifles as being wounded on 8th September 1917.
  
  
• It also records a promotion to Temp Lieutenant for a T Stirling with seniority from 7th January 1918 whilst serving with the 15th (Service) Battalion (North Belfast) Royal Irish Rifles.
  
  
• It also records a Temp Lt T Stirling as being Mentioned in Dispatches in the London Gazette (Issue 431442 page 8709) dated 8th July 1919. 

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Stirling as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address 'in France'.

Belfast Bank - Roll of Honour booklet

PRONI records a Thomas Stirling of Liswatty, Cloyfin, Coleraine, County Londonderry farmer died 11 September 1941 Probate Belfast 4 March to William Charles Acheson and Finlay Sinclair farmers. Effects £466 13s. 4d. This man may have been Thomas' father.