Boyd, William Harris

Trooper William Harris Boyd

was born at Market Street, Limavady, Co. Derry on 1st April 1884 to Joseph Douglas Boyd, Draper and Martha Jane Boyd nee Rodgers. They had married on 27th May 1864 at Newtownlimavady Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 William (16) lived in house 32, Irish Green Street, Limavady with his parents and 4 siblings; Joseph Douglas (27), James Francis (24), Sara Francis (21) and Mary Douglas (19). His father is recorded as a magistrate and a woollen draper.

William joined Northern Bank on 20th May 1902. Transfers followed to Ballinamore (1902 - Junior), Cushendall (1904 - Junior), Head Office (1910 - Relief) and Mohill (1910 - Cashier).  

Northern Bank, Ballinamore branch

Northern Bank, Cushendall branch (1922 burning)

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Mohill branch

By 1911, William is boarding in house 58, Main Street, Mohill, Co. Leitrim with a colleague, Charles Kevin Fitzsimons. One is a Bank Clerk and the other, a Bank Cashier. 

On 27th January 1916 (11th February 1916 Army MIC), William volunteered and enlisted as a Trooper into the North Irish Horse with Service Number was 2112. He served as an Assistant Instructor at the North Irish Horse Signalling School, Antrim.  

Medal Index Card - W H Boyd

The Forces War Records database records William H Boyd as being discharged on 19th December 1917 due to injuries inflicted by a horse. He was awarded a Silver War Badge numbered B139382 - Reason for Discharge: Paragraph 392 King's Regulations (xvi) No longer physically fit for war service.

Silver War Badge - W H Boyd

William was entitled to a pension as a result of his injuries:

Pension Record Card - W H Boyd

William re-joined the Northern Bank on 2nd April 1918 at Head Office with a transfer later to Ballymoney (1918 - Cashier) and Armoy (1922  - Manager). He had previously refused Mohill or Fivemiletown branches on 'grounds of ill-health'.

Northern Bank, Ballymoney branch (to right of Belfast Banking Company)

Northern Bank, Armoy branch with entrance porch tiling

William Boyd married a Miss Frances E McAdoo of Ballinamore. She died on 19th September 1951 at 219 Orby Drive, Belfast. 

William died suddenly at Northern Bank House, Armoy on 9th January 1934 aged 49.

The Belfast News-Letter of 10th January 1934 carried this death notice:

Death Notice - W H Boyd