Corkey, Herbert John

Herbert John Corkey

Corkey was born at Warrenpoint on 4th August 1898 to John Corkey, Farmer and Helen Louisa Corkey nee Grandy. They were married on 3rd August 1892 at Kilcommon Church of Ireland, Co. Wicklow.

In 1901 Corkey (2) lived in house 7, Donaghaguy, Warrenpoint with his parents and 2 siblings, Martha Mary (13) and Isaac Henry (5). Two servants were also present in the property, William Skillen (20) and Mary Jane Skillen (13).

By 1911 Corkey was living in house 1, Great George’s Street, Warrenpoint with his parents and a sister, Evelyn Louisa (4).

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Corkey and his father signed the Ulster Covenant at Warrenpoint. His mother, Helen signed the Women’s Declaration (Covenant). 

On 5th October 1914, Corkey joined Northern Bank at Head Office.  

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Fintona (1914 - Junior), Magherafelt (1916 - Junior), Limavady (1916 - Junior) and Head Office (1917 - Junior).  

Northern Bank, Fintona branch (courtesy McCullough family archive)

Northern Bank, Magherafelt branch

Cheques drawn on Northern Bank, Limavady, 1963 

(branch demolished & rebuilt as a modern building)

Corkey volunteered and enlisted as a Rifleman into the 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles on 29th September 1917 with Service Number 20576. He also served in the 19th Battalion.

H J Corkey - Medal Index Card

H J Corkey - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation, Corkey was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

Corkey re-joined Northern Bank on 7th April 1919 at Newry. A transfer to Crumlin Road as Cashier  came in 1920.  

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Herbert Corkey resigned from Northern Bank on 25th September 1920 and emigrated to Canada where he worked as a bank accountant. He crossed the Canada border into USA on 15th October 1923 and settled in the US.

H J Corkey - Canada / USA Border Crossing Card

Corkey  married Melba L Ogden on 10th November 1925.  

Following the entry of the US into WW2, Corkey was registered for the 'Draft' at the upper age limit of 43/44.

H J Corkey (Senior) - Draft Registration Card

At the same time, Corkey's son, also called Herbert John Corkey Junior was also registered for the 'Draft'.  He was aged 19 in 1946 and was recorded as a 'Returned Vet - Honourable Discharge - US Navy'

H J Corkey (Junior) - Draft Registration Card

Herbert Corkey died on 8th March 1971 and is buried in Washington Heights Memorial Park, Ogden, Weber County, Utah, USA.

Courtesy of 'Find a Grave' website