Grant, James Herbert

2nd Lieutenant James Herbert Grant MM

was born on 18th April 1888 at 3 Downshire Park or Place, Belfast to James Grant, Clerk and Mary Grant nee Walsh. They had married on 17th July 1878 at Hillsborough Parish Church.

In 1901 James (12) was living in house 96, Donegall Pass, Windsor Ward, Belfast with his parents and 7 siblings; Amelia Florence (3), Mary Rosena (5), Eliza Eleanor (21), Frederick William (19), Arthur Hill (15), Robert John (10) and Andrew Walter (7). An uncle, Robert Grant was also in the house.

James would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1906 serving in Drogheda and Lurgan.  His father, James signed the Bankers Indemnity and following his death, Andrew Walter (brother) signed as well.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Indemnity Ledger - J H Grant

Belfast Bank, Drogheda branch

Belfast Bank, Lurgan branch

James had a brother, Andrew Walter Grant of Northern Bank, Willowfield, Belfast (also O’Connell Street, Dublin – Manager). He also features in this publication.

Mark Duffy (a 'Belfast' Black Watch researcher) has kindly sent me a photograph that he believes is Andrew Grant.

"Cpl Grant 1/6. Fate Unknown. Was with me in Aberdeen in 1914" 
[Written on photo reverse, no further information].

In 1911, James is boarding with the McWatters family in house 2 Drumarg or Downs, Armagh Rural, Co. Armagh. He is described as a Bank Official. A possible colleague, Frederick Charles Robinson (Bank Official) is also boarding in this house.

In 1911 the family are still in Donegall Pass. His parents, 3 daughters, uncle and 1 servant are present.

On Ulster Day, 28th September 1912, James signed the Ulster Covenant at Armagh giving his address as Malart Villa, Armagh.

James volunteered and enlisted into the 18th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers with Service Number PS/6051.  Promotion via Sergeant lead to him transferring as a 2nd Lieutenant to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Medal Index Card - J H Grant

James' Medal Index Card records his first theatre of war as France and Flanders from 14th November 1915. 

The London Gazette dated 16th November 917 recorded 6051, Cpl J H Grant, Royal Fusiliers (Hillsborough) as being awarded the Military Medal.

On 25th April 1917 James was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.

1915 Star - Roll - Pte J H Grant

Victory Medal and the British War Medal Roll - Sgt J H Grant

In addition to the Military Medal, James was awarded and applied on 25th November 1922 for the 1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Grant returned to to the bank.

Retirement came in 1951. 

He died on 19th January 1956. His grandson has written to me about his death: 

"James Herbert Grant (Bert) died 19th January 1956. Got off train at Ballygowan Halt station on 18th January 1956 on way to Corcreeny to visit Florrie (his sister) and got lost in a snow storm. He was found dead in a snow drift the next morning." [This would be the area of the Banbridge, Lisburn, Belfast Junction Railway].

James Herbert Grant is buried in the Grant family grave in Hillsborough Parish Church graveyard with other members of his family.

Grant family grave - Hillsborough Parish Church