Callaghan, Richard Marcus

Lieutenant Richard Marcus Callaghan (known as Marcus)

was born at Killyquinn on 17th March 1895  to Robert Callaghan, National School Teacher and Mary Jane Callaghan nee Stevenson. The surname on the birth registration is spelt Callaghan. They had married on 3rd May 1894 at St. Michael's Church, Donaghmore.

In 1901 Marcus (6) was living in house 51, Loughgall Town, Loughgall, Co. Armagh with his parents and 3 siblings, Robert(4), Lillian (2) and Eileen (1).  His grandmother, Maria Callaghan, a visitor, Emily Stevenson and a servant, Annie McNeill are also present in the house. 

By 1911 the property was known as house 53, Loughgall Town, Loughgall, Co. Armagh.  Marcus, his parents and 3 siblings Robert, Lillian and Eileen are present in the property.

On 28th September 1912, Marcus signed the Ulster Covenant at Loughgall giving his address as Royal School, Armagh.

Richard would have joined the Belfast Banking Company sometime around 1913 working in Donegal.  His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and later on, his wife Gwendoline Iris Callaghan also signed it. He is recorded as working in Banbridge branch.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet.

Belfast Bank, Banbridge branch

Marcus enlisted into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was later attached to the Royal Army Service Corps. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from May 1917.

Medal Index Card - R M Callaghan

The newspaper 'Northern Whig' dated 24th March 1917 reports Officer Cadet R M Callaghan as being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. 

The newspaper 'Londonderry Sentinel' dated 10th August 1920 reports Lieutenant R M Callaghan, Special Reserve of Officers, as relinquishing his commission but retaining his rank of Lieutenant.

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Marcus was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

The 'Belfast News Letter' dated 24th December 1932 records the death at the Hospital for Sick Children of Marcus (their child) on 22nd December 1932. Burial at family burial ground, Loughgall. The family address of Marcus and G Callaghan was 1 Madison Avenue, Belfast.

November 1933 saw a transfer for Marcus from Head Office to Banbridge.

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

R M Callaghan was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in March 1948 paying 1 shillings subscription and was recorded as being in Banbridge branch.

Retirement came in 1956 with is death a few years later on 2nd September 1959.