Henderson, James Alexander

Acting Sergeant James Alexander Henderson

was born in Tamnamore, Lower Cumber, Co. Londonderry on 24th February 1890 to James Henderson, Teacher and Elizabeth Henderson nee McGeagh (of Magherafelt). They had married on 26th April 1885 at Draperstown Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 James (11) lived in house 4, Tamneymore, Tamnaherin, Co. Londonderry with his parents and 7 siblings; Ida E (15), William G (14), Sarah J (12), Robert (9), Samuel (8), David J (6) and Violet M (1).

On 17th April 1906, James joined Northern Bank at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Ballybay (1906 - Junior) and Coleraine (1908 - Junior).  

Northern Bank, Coleraine branch

In 1911, James was boarding in house 1, Nursery Avenue, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry. His occupation is recorded as a Banker’s Clerk.

Henderson played golf in the first Northern Bank golf outing on 21st March 1913 at Dunmurry:

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie

December 1913 saw him return to work in Head Office. 

Whilst in Belfast, James enlisted into the 14th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles as a Private with Service Number 14872. 

His Service Record still exists and is on microfilm in the National Archives. It consists of 24 burnt and charred papers. In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers' documents for the First World War were destroyed. A selection of the better ones are displayed below.

Service Records - J A Henderson - Document Number 1

Service Records - J A Henderson - Document Number 2

Service Records - J A Henderson - Document Number 9

Promotions to Lance Corporal, Corporal and Acting Sergeant followed.  

James saw action in the Somme 1916 (Thiepval) and later suffered septic poisoning and would later be transferred to the Labour Corps with Service Number 479619.

James was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. 

Medal Index Card - James A Henderson

On demobilisation, James was transferred to the Class Z Army Reserve. He later applied for compensation and a pension due to his injuries.

Pension Record Card (front) - J A Henderson

Pension Record Card (reverse) - J A Henderson

James returned to work for Northern Bank at Holywood branch (1919 - Cashier) and was posted to Newry branch (1922 - Cashier). 

Northern Bank, Holywood branch (gable wall in distance)

Northern Bank, Newry branch

 Transfers followed to Royal Avenue (1924 - Accountant), Markets (1929 - Pro-manager), Pomeroy (1934 - Manager) and Magherafelt (1938 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Northern Bank, Markets branch

Northern Bank, Magherafelt branch

James Henderson retired from the bank in October 1951.

He died on 23rd September 1976. 

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (August 1981)’ contains a photograph of James Henderson in a 1913 Northern Bank Staff Golf outing.

Heenan, Alfred Thompson

Private Alfred Thompson Heenan

was born at Drumanaghan, Seaforde, Co. Down on 3rd August 1897 to John Heenan, Farmer and Matilda Heenan nee Thompson. 

In 1901 Alfred (3) lived in house 1, Drumanaghan, Seaforde, Co. Down with his parents and 8 siblings; Jenni (17), Lillie (13), Robert (5), Thomas H (0), William (7), James R (9), John (11) and David (16). There were also 2 servants in the household; John Mulholland and Annie O'Neill.  

By 1911, their property was known as house 17, Drumanaghan, Seaforde. The undermentioned school article records the property as Drumonaghan House, Clough. Alfred was living with his parents and 4 siblings; Harriett Elizabeth, Johnny, Robert and Thomas Harry. A servant Catherine Lambe also lived in the property.

Alfred was educated at the Royal School, Dungannon. A current teacher, Paul Kerr has kindly given me the following photograph.

"... Heenan playing for our 1st XV in the 1913-14 season ..."

Alfred joined the Northern Bank in 1915 at Falls branch.

Northern Bank, Falls branch

Alfred was based in Falls branch when he enlisted into the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles as a Private with Service Number 20174. He later transferred to the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment with Service Number 21027.

A T Keenan - Medal Index Card

A T Keenan, Medal Roll

Alfred was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

A T Keenan - Pension Card

Alfred was demobilised on 29th May 1919 to 45 Clarendon Street, Londonderry. A Disability Pension Card was created for Alfred Keenan but with little information on it.

He is listed on the Roll of Honour in Clough Presbyterian Church, Downpatrick. Alfred's brother John is also named on the memorial. John's story in this link to a North Irish Horse website.

Clough Presbyterian Church - War Memorial & Roll of Honour
[Courtesy of Ricky Cole via Nigel Henderson]

It is not known whether he re-joined the bank but the following magazine article indicates that he went to live in Canada. where he married Minnie Richardson. The 1911 Irish Census records Minnie Richardson (15) living with her parents at house 5, Castle Hill, Dungannon. 

 "... clipping from our June 1922 school magazine
relating the news of his wedding in Canada ..."

In 1928, A T Heenan is reported as playing rugby for Toronto Irish as Vice-Captain (Belfast News-Letter dated 15th October 1928).

Alfred Heenan and Minnie Heenan had a daughter, Joan who was born on 19th July 1923. An internet site (link now broken) carried the following obituary for Joan Arthur nee Heenan.

ARTHUR, Joan F.

Joan passed peacefully with her family at her side in Baycrest Hospital on June 5th 2012, her 89th year.  Born Regina SK July 19 1923 to Alfred Thompson Heenan and Minnie F Heenan (nee Richardson).  Predeceased by husband Gordon, 45 years married. Survived by son Sean (Jacqueline), daughter Jennifer (Pierre Zakarauskas), grandson Summerton and step grandchildren Andrea, Jordan and Violet, and step great granddaughter Katrina. 

An only child, Joan cherished her extended family, Canadian and UK Irish cousins and Arthur nieces and nephews. A 'people person', Joan very much loved travel, good food, better companionship and conversation, and cherished 45 wonderful years of family and community at the cottage on the Lake of Bays. Long time employee of Canada Packers and very active volunteer all her life, Joan was a member of UCW and board member, Humbervale Christian Outreach Foundation. Though a non smoker, lung cancer presented three years ago. Undaunted Joan continued to live life to the fullest, without complaint, in hospital for only her last week. But most of all we will remember Joan as a loving and kind person; greatly missed and forever loved.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday June 13, 1 pm at Humbervale United Church, 1447 Royal York Road, ON, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers the Family requests donations to the Salvation Army or the charity of your choice. In the spirit of giving Joan donated her body to science and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Please sign your organ donor card in her memory.

Sweeney, Joseph Alphonsus

Trooper Joseph Alphonsus Sweeney or McSweeney

was born at Dungloe, Co. Donegal on 12th February 1900 to Joseph Sweeney (of Arkansas, USA), Railway Contractor and Catherine nee Boyle. The bank Staff Record card states his date of birth as 17th February 1900. His parents had married on 14th July 1897 at St Eugene's Chapel, Londonderry.

His birth registration and his parents marriage registration record the family surname as Sweeney.

In 1901 Joseph (1) lived in house 87, Dungloe with his mother, Kate Sweeney and his sister Kathleen (3). In the house too were Catherine Boyle (his grandmother), Mary Boyle (his aunt) and a servant Ellen McCauley. 

By 1911, Joseph is boarding in Mt Sackville Convent Boarding School in Castleknock, North Dublin (detailed in the Irish Census as house 40.1, Castleknock, Dublin). 

Following his education, Joseph joined Northern Bank in early 1917. His Staff Record card states his surname as McSweeney and also initially said 2nd April 1917 but was crossed out and amended to 12th June 1917. The card also said his first name was John but was crossed out and Joseph written above it.

His first branch is recorded as Mohill.

 

Northern Bank, Mohill branch

Joseph volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse on 29th September 1917 and left the bank on 3rd October 1917. He was about 17 1/2 years of age.

He saw service in the Home Service prior to being discharged for being under age. 

On 13th December 1917 he re-joined Northern Bank at Strokestown (Junior). Transfers followed to Head Office (1920 - Junior), Grafton Street (1921 - Junior and the Exchange), Kingscourt (1927 - Cashier), Head Office (1928), Ball’s Branch (1929 - Accountant), Head Office (1930), Falls (1930 - Accountant) and Oldcastle (1931 -  Cashier).

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Falls branch

On 12 September 1939 he married May Glover at the Church of St Therese, Somerton Road, Belfast.

The Drogheda Argus and Leinster Journal published on Saturday 4th March 1950 reports that Joseph was to be transferred to Kells branch as manager. He was a member and treasurer of Kells Golf Club.

Joseph Sweeney retired on 31st March 1962.

McCaghey, Harold Abraham

Flight Lieutenant Harold Abraham McCaghey (RCAF)

Harold McCaghey was a Northern Bank official (accountant) between the years of 1921 to 1930 and although he is not recorded on the Northern Bank War Memorial / Roll of Honour, he qualifies as a former official who served in WW2 with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

Part 15 Civil Employment record on H A McCaghey's
RCAF Officer's Application & Record Sheet

Sadly, Harold was to die by his own hand on 8th or 9th June 1942 at the Royal Alexander Hotel, Winnipeg, Canada. He was found dead in his room at 08:15 hrs on 9th June 1942. His Will was signed and dated 3rd January 1941 leaving all his estate to his wife Elva.

F/L H A McCaghey - CWGC Headstone

His wartime RCAF file consisting of 36 documents and photographs were kindly provided by Nigel Henderson, Researcher, History Hub Ulster who came across the Northern Bank connection on looking at the 8th page of the documentation.

The following biography of Harold McCaghey was written by Barry Niblock for his website 'The War Dead of North Down and Ards'.

The death of Flight Lieutenant Harold Abraham McCaghey (No. C/2076) was reported in the 20 June 1942 edition of the County Down Spectator under the headline Bangor Flying Officer’s Death.

Harold Abraham McCaghey was born on 10th June 1903 in Newry Road, Banbridge and he was the youngest son of William John McCaghey ISO MBE and Jean (Jeanie) McCaghey (nee Hunter) who, at the time of his death, were living at 5 Knockmore Park, Bangor. Before that, the McCaghey family lived at 7 Glenburn Park, Belfast and before that at 4 Mountainview Terrace, Banbridge. William John McCaghey and Jeannie Hunter were married on 5th August 1896 in Magherally Presbyterian Church, Banbridge.

William John McCaghey worked as a bookkeeper in a linen factory, later becoming an inspector of factories and then Chief Inspector of Factories for Northern Ireland. He and Jeannie had at least four children:

· Darwin Edward (born 30 May 1897 in Banbridge)
· James Hunter (born 4 January 1900 in Banbridge)
· Harold Abraham (born 10 June 1903 in Newry Road, Banbridge)
· Annie Margaret (born 8 November 1906 at Laurel Lodge, Glenburn Park, Belfast)

Harold was educated at Keighley Grammar School in Yorkshire and Methodist College, Belfast. On leaving school he worked for the Northern Bank in Dublin and Belfast. 

He had a fine baritone voice and won several singing competitions throughout Ireland. When living in Bangor he sang in the choir of First Bangor Presbyterian Church.

Belfast News-Letter, 3rd January 1929.
Mr Harold McCaghey, Baritone, Belfast Feis

Around 1932 Harold moved to Canada where he worked in Toronto and, some six years later, he married Elva May Shaver of Ancaster, Hamilton, Ontario. They had one daughter.

At the outbreak of hostilities Harold joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and he was stationed in Winnipeg, Ontario when he died on 9 June 1942. Elva May Shaver, who was born in 1904, died in 1993.

Flight Lieutenant Harold Abraham McCaghey (No. C/2076) was 38 when he died, and he was buried in the Shaver family plot in Ancaster (Bethesda United Church) Cemetery, Ontario, Canada. There is an inscription on his CWGC headstone:

BORN 10TH JUNE 1903

IN BANBRIDGE

NORTHERN IRELAND

Flight Lieutenant Harold Abraham McCaghey (No. C/2076) is commemorated on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial (Internet) and on Page 95 in the Canadian Second World War Book of Remembrance.