Holmes, Charles

Lieutenant Charles Holmes MC and Bar

was born at Ballybogan, Lifford, Co. Donegal on 28th October 1894 to William Holmes, Farmer and Mary Anne Holmes nee Brooks. They had married on 12th January 1889 at the Alt Presbyterian Church, Alt Upper, Castlefinn.

In 1901 Charles (6) was living in house 1, Ballybogan, Clonleigh South, Co. Donegal with his parents and 2 siblings, Robert Brooks (9) and William (2). A servant, Patrick Cullen was also living in the property.

By 1911 the property is described as house 4, Ballybogan, Clonleigh South, Co. Donegal. 2 daughters had been born since 1901, Annie Margaret (7) and Rebecca Mary (5). There is 1 servant, Rachel Donnell and 2 farm servants, William Schooner and Michael Deery also present in the property.

Charles would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1912 and is recorded as working in Lurgan and Central branches. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as Ballybogan, Lifford

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Lurgan branch

Belfast Bank, Belfast Central branch

Charles volunteered and enlisted into the 13th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and was later commissioned attaining the rank of Lieutenant. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 22nd June 1918.

He later transferred to the Royal Army Pay Corps where he continued his service as a Lieutenant.

C Holmes - Medal Index Card

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

As an officer he would have had to apply for his service medals, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He was also awarded the Military Cross twice (MC and Bar).

His first citation was published in the London Gazette on 16th September 1918 reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  One night this officer, with 12 men and a party of infantry, captured two machine guns, holding at bay a large body of the enemy who nearly cut them off, and successfully extricating the whole of his men with but few casualties.” 

The second citation was published by the London Gazette on 1st February 1919.  It reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and able leadership south-east of Dadizeele in September, 1918.  He led a platoon against a wood strongly held by machine guns and about 100 men, clearing it at the point of the bayonet and accounting for at least fifty men and three machine guns.  Although wounded himself, he continued encouraging his men against heavy odds.”  

Charles Holmes continued with a career in the army and did not re-join the bank.

McManus, Hubert

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Riley McManus

2nd Lieutenant Hubert McManus

was born at Market Square, Dungannon on 27th May 1888 to Samuel McManus, Draper and Jane McManus nee Booth. They had married on 28th August 1875 at Drummaul Church of Ireland, Randalstown.

In 1901, Hubert (13) was living in house 14, Market Square (East Side), Dungannon, with his parents and 6 siblings, Samuel Edgar (24), Anne Gertrude (20), Louisa Euphemia (17), Harold (15), Winifred (10) and Randal Edmund (8 - see below). 2 shop assistants, Nellie Keer & Jane Gullfillan and 2 servants, Annie Bates & Cathleen Dunlop also lived in the property.

Based on his age, McManus may have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1905. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as Antrim. Later on, his brother, Samuel G McManus and his wife, Kathleen McManus also signed the guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

In 1911, a Herbert McManus is boarding with Elizabeth Stevenson (head of household) in house 59, Willowbank Street, Clifton Ward, Belfast with one other boarder. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Official Accountant. 

In 1914 Hubert volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse with Service Number 1267. Later he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps with Service Number 104215 where he was promoted to Corporal.  

H McManus - Medal Index Card

His first theatre of war is recorded as France and Flanders from 2nd June 1915.

Hubert was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 26th October 1917.

An injury later occurred making Hubert eligible for the Silver War Badge (SWB). The Medal Index Card records the number incorrectly as 183889. The SWB Roll records the badge number as 383889. He was invalided out of the army in 1917.  

H McManus - Silver War Badge

Hubert was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

H McManus - Medal Roll

A descendant (via a cousin of Hubert's), Alastair McManus (Canada) has sent me this information:

" .... Hubert emigrated to Canada in 1911 (or 1912) with his younger brother Randal (killed in WW1), probably going to stay with their older brother Harold.  Hubert worked in the North Bay, Ontario, branch of the Imperial Bank of Canada, 210 miles north of Toronto.  However, on the outbreak of war, both he and Randal returned to Ireland in 1914.  Hubert enlisted in the North Irish Horse.  He was later commissioned and was invalided from service in 1917.  He returned to the Belfast Bank in 1918 and remained in Belfast for the rest of his life. ...."

Hubert McManus married Kathleen Pyper on 5th October 1920 at Fortwilliam Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

He was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in April 1947 paying 5 shillings subscription and was recorded as working in Head Office. 

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Summer 1984)’ contains a photograph of Hugh in a 1947 Belfast Banking Company Cricket Team.

Hubert's brother, Randal Edmund is detailed on the Commonwealth War Graves website as follows:

Son of Jane McManus, 6 Howard Terrace, Dungannon; Lance Corporal, Army Number 41505, died 19/04/1918 aged 26, 9th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers, commemorated on Pane 140 to 141, Tyne Cot Memorial.

Newspaper image courtesy of Mrs Gemma Crutchley
via Lives of the First World War website