Osborough, William Thomas

Sergeant William Thomas Osborough (known as Billy)

was born at 169 Bishops Street, Londonderry on 5th December 1894 to Andrew Osborough (Constable, Royal Irish Constabulary) and Margaret Osborough nee Bradshaw. They had married at the 1st Holywood Presbyterian Church on 30th September 1892.

In 1901, William (6) was living in house 169.1 Garvagh, Co. Londonderry with his mother and 2 siblings; Cecil Robert (5) and Beatrice Maud (2). Andrew's (the father) name was originally written on the census form but stroked out later. It is possible that he was on duty in eg a police station and not recorded on the census.

In 1902 William was placed 5th in the Garvagh Flower Show 'handwriting section'.

William (14) is recorded in the 'Coleraine Chronicle' dated Saturday, 5th September 1908 as winning a 7th standard prize at Coleraine Model School. His name also appeared in the following years prize list.

In 1910, a Sergeant (Andrew) Osborough is recorded as being in charge of Portstewart Royal Irish Constabulary station.  

See more on Andrew Osborough below.

On 3rd September 1910 the 'Coleraine Chronicle' reported that William had gained a clerkship in the Irish Land Commission Office in Dublin.

Coleraine Chronicle, 3rd September 1910

By 1911, Margaret was living in house 49.1 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, Co. Londonderry. The parents and 8 children; Cecil, Beatrice Maud, Violet May, Albert Edward, Alexander M, Ethel Maria, Amy Elizabeth and George Andrew. As in 1901, Andrew's (the father) name was originally written on the census form but stroked out later. It is possible that he was on duty in eg a police station and not recorded on the census.

In 1911 William Thomas Osborough (16) is recorded as boarding in house 13, Infirmary Road, East Side (Montpelier Hill). (Arran Quay, Dublin). His occupation is a Civil Service Clerk (Boy Clerk Irish Land Commission).

On 28th September 1912, William signed the Ulster Covenant at the City Hall, Belfast.

William would have joined the Belfast Banking Company by 1912/1913. A Samuel R Henry (merchant) of Portstewart signed the Bankers Indemnity. 

Belfast Bank - Bankers Indemnity ledger - W T Osborough

The Bankers Indemnity ledger has his branch as originally Western and then Bangor branches.

Belfast Bank, Western (Shankill Road) branch

In 1915 whilst working in Western branch, William volunteered and enlisted at Lurgan into the Cadet Corps of the 10th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. This news was reported in the 'Belfast News Letter' dated 17th November 1915:

Belfast News Letter, 17th November 1915

The army Medal Index Card records William's Service Number as 22758.

Medal Index Card - Wm T Osborough

At some stage, William transferred into the 5th Bn and the 11th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. He attained the rank of Acting Sergeant. 

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

Medal Roll - Wm T Osborough

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, William returned to the Belfast Banking Company.

William is remembered on the Roll of Honour in Holywood Presbyterian Church.

Photo courtesy of John McCormick

In 1924 he was the Treasurer of Holywood Cricket Club with club reports being published in local newspapers on a regular basis.

In 1931 he was Worshipful Master in the Freedom Masonic Lodge No. 394, The Mount, Belfast.

During the 1930s, William had married Joan Ashley [surname not known] and on 20th February 1939 the 'Belfast News Letter' announced the birth of a son on 13th February to Mr and Mrs Wm Osborough of Belfast Bank House, 4 Bradbury Place, Belfast. This was Peter Osborough - see below.

Belfast News Letter, 20th February 1939

Belfast Bank, Bradbury Place, Belfast branch

Margaret Osborough (William's mother) of 104 High Street, Holywood died on 19th September 1939 leaving her estate to her husband, Andrew. The Belfast Banking Company, Holywood branch was at 100 High Street.

William was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club on 26th March 1945 paying 5 shillings subscription.   

He had kept up his association with the Royal Irish Fusiliers and was appointed Honorary Treasurer of their Regimental and Old Comrades Association in October 1945. Newspapers carried his name in many editions over the years.

He also served in their South End (Ormeau Road / Ballynafeigh) branch before he was transferred to Bangor branch as Manager in 1949. Peter Osborough describes his childhood life living in the manager's house in this sound link to the Bangor Open House Festival.

Belfast Bank, Bangor branch

William is recorded in the 1956 annual accounts of the Belfast Banking Company as being manager of Bangor branch. Here he is standing on the steps of his branch:

Photo courtesy of 'Open House Festival'

Retirement came in 1957.

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

Sergeant Andrew Osborough (Royal Irish Constabulary)

Hansard

ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY—CONSTABLE OSBOROUGH, CO. DOWN.

HC Deb 04 April 1887 vol 313 cc360-1360

MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Constable Osborough, Royal Irish Constabulary, when stationed at Holywood, County Down, was twice reported for neglect of duty, and was, on the recommendation of the District-Inspector, transferred to another station; whether a memorial was received by the County Inspector of Down, from magistrates of the district, asking for the return of Osborough to Holywood station; whether, on this memorial having been forwarded to Dublin Castle, the Inspector General directed that Osborough should be sent back to Holywood; and, whether this action of the Inspector General is in accordance with the practice always followed in such cases?

THE CHIEF SECEETAEY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR)(Manchester, E.)

I am informed that no complaint or report was made against this constable, but that the County Inspector had given an order which led to his transfer, and that the magistrates at Holywood asked that he should be sent back on the ground of his good conduct, local knowledge, and good service, and the County Inspector complied. The matter was in the discretion of the County Inspector, and was not referred to the Inspector General.

Ferris, William Thompson

Staff Lieutenant William Thompson Ferris

was born at Vicars Hill, Armagh on 12th March 1890 to Walter Ferris, Merchant and Rachel Ferris nee Kennedy. They had married on 19th November 1885 at First Presbyterian Church, Coleraine.

In 1901 William lived in house 19, Mall, Armagh with his parents and a servant Sarah Wylie.  

On 17th May 1909 he joined Northern Bank at Head Office as Junior. Transfers followed to Lisburn (1910 - Junior) and Head Office (1914 - Junior).  

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch.  Later replaced in 1920s

By 1911, William is living in house 21, The Mall, Armagh with his parents and a servant Susan Glaskin.  He is described as a Bank Clerk.  The family were of Presbyterian faith. 

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

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie

On 15th September 1914, William volunteered and enlisted into the 6th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) as a Private with Service Number 2159.  His first theatre of war was in France from 2nd May 1915.  He served with the British Expeditionary Force, was promoted to Lance Corporal and then Gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant.  Further promotion followed to Lieutenant and then Staff-Lieutenant 1st Class.  William saw action in the Second Battle of Festubert May 1915, Vimy Ridge 1916 and the Somme 1916.  An injury occurred on 29th July 1916 at High Wood.  The Belfast News Letter of 7th August 1916 reports:

Mark Duffy (a 'Belfast' Black Watch researcher) has kindly sent me a a couple of group photographs that include W T Ferris.

"William Thompson Ferris is rear right. Rear left is Harry Dann (Belfast), he won the Military Medal and was also taken POW. Front right is Arthur D. Hutchison, a Scotsman, he was working in the Irish Department of Agriculture in Dublin before the war. Front left may be Joseph Russell (Belfast) but not quite sure on him yet. All went out with the 6th Black Watch on 2nd May, 1915."

W T Ferris, 6th Bn. Black Watch

"This is a group from the Irish detachment of the 6th Black Watch. William T. Ferris No. 21."

W T Ferris, 6th Bn. Black Watch

Demobilisation came on 14th July 1919. He was Mentioned in Dispatches on 29th August 1919 and awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. His address in Army records was 2 Gosford Place, Edinburgh.

William T Ferris - Medal Index Card

William T Ferris - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation, Ferris re-joined the Northern Bank on 22nd September 1919 and was transferred to Newry as Junior and later as Cashier.

Northern Bank, Newry branch

On 12th July 1920, Ferris retired and took up his father’s business, 'Walter Ferris, wholesale grocer and spirits, Market Street, Armagh'. 

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

Holley, Wilfred John

2nd Lieutenant Wilfred John Holley

was born in Wellington, Somerset, England to William Holley, Chair Maker and Alice Holley nee Webber on 17th February 1896.  

In 1901 Wilfred lived in Golden Hill, Wiveliscombe, Wellington, Somerset, England with his parents and sister, Hilda.

By 1911, Wilfred (15) had moved to Belfast and was living with his uncle, Dr M F Cahill and aunt, Lucie Cahill in house 3, University Square, Windsor Ward, Belfast. 

The 'Mid-Ulster Mail' of 7th June 1913 carried an advertisement for Skerry's College, 142 Royal Avenue, Belfast. It advised readers that W J Holley had success in being appointed to Northern bank.

On 10th June 1913, Holley joined Northern Bank and was posted to Royal Avenue branch as Junior.

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

A transfer to Head Office followed in January 1915.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Belfast 

Wilfred joined the Perse School, Cambridge Officers' Training Corps (OTC) and then transferred into Queen's University OTC.

On 26th August 1915, Wilfred volunteered and enlisted into the 9th Shropshire Light Infantry. He was listed in the London Gazette as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant. The 'Northern Whig' and the 'Belfast News Letter' published on 30th August 1915 both reported on his commission.

Medal Index Card - W J Holley

Wilfred was discharged from the army in October 1916. The 'Birmingham Daily Post' of 24th March 1917 reported that Temp 2nd Lt W J Holley relinquished his commission on account of ill health and is granted the honorary rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

He re-joined Northern Bank at Head Office on 19th April 1917. Transfers followed to Shaftesbury Square (1917 - Cashier), Dungannon (1917 - Cashier), Head Office (1919 - Cashier), Cushendall (1920 - Cashier), Shercock (1920 - Cashier) and Hillsborough (1920 - Cashier).

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch

Northern Bank, Cushendall branch (1922 burning)

Northern Bank, Shercock branch

Wilfred Holley died in early 1961 aged 65 in Taunton, Somerset, England.

Hewardine, Albert Edward

Trooper Albert Edward Hewardine

was born at Dalymount Terrace, north Dublin on 9th November 1899 to Arthur Hewardine, Sorting Clerk (Dublin GPO) and Elizabeth Mary Stephanie Hewardine nee Coard. They had married on 3rd December 1892 at the Registrar's Office, Dublin. A later church wedding was held on 8th March 1893 at All Saints Church, Raheny, Dublin.

In 1901, Albert (1) lived in house 75, Phibsboro Road, Arran Quay, Dublin with his parents and 2 siblings; Irene Elizabeth (6) and Ernest Arthur (4). 

By 1911, they were living in house 49, Moyne Road, Rathmines & Rathgar East, Dublin. 

The newspaper 'Sport (Dublin)' reported in their publication of 26th August 1916 that Albert had come in 1st place in one of the events in the Greystones Red Cross Gala.

On 16th August 1917, Hewardine joined Northern Bank and was posted to Virginia branch as Junior.

Northern Bank, Virginia branch

A transfer to Grafton Street (Junior) on 1st March 1918 followed. 

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin branch

A short time later on 9th May 1918 Albert volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse as a Trooper. He served at the regiment's reserve depot at Antrim before being demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve, in February 1919. Also see the North Irish Horse website.

Following his discharge from the Army, he re-joined the Northern Bank at Head Office on 3rd February 1919.  

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Oldcastle (1919 - Junior), Head Office (1920 - Relief), Downpatrick (1921 - Relief), Claudy (1922 - Cashier) and Ball’s Branch (1922 - Accountant).

Northern Bank, Oldcastle branch

Northern Bank Limited, Downpatrick

Northern Bank, Claudy branch

Albert possibly left the bank in the 1930s and went to the USA before returning to Ireland and finally to Belfast. 

He died on the 30th March 1952 according to an obituary in the 'Belfast Telegraph' published the next day.

Obituary - A E Hewardine