Clarke, John Carton

Private John Carton Clarke

was born at Castlerock, Co. Londonderry on 2nd February 1897 to William Thomas Clarke, Grocer and Gemma Clarke nee Carton. 

In 1901 John (4) was living in house 1, Castlerock, Freehall Watson Part of, Downhill, Co. Londonderry with his maternal grandparents, John & Drusilla Carton, his parents and his sister, Kathleen (6). A cousin, William Cooper was also present as were 5 others; John Beckett, Rachel Torbitt, Helen Campbell, Mary O'Brien and Francis McLaughlin.

By 1911, John was living in house 4.1, Castlerock Town, Downhill, Co. Londonderry with his parents and 3 siblings; Kathleen, Robert and Aileen. His grandfather, John Carton and a servant, Cassie McLaughlin are also present.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, John signed the Ulster Covenant at Articlave Orange Hall. 

John Clarke joined Northern Bank in October 1914 and was posted to Carrickfergus as Junior.

In July 1916, John volunteered and enlisted into the 9th Bn. Royal Fusiliers as a Private with Service Number 23278.

John Clarke - Medal Index Card

His unit is also recorded as 26th Royal Fusiliers. This website Carrickfergus Roll of Honour records Clarke as being in 9th Battalion - Royal Fusiliers - City of London Regiment. This regiment was in the 18th (Eastern) Division involved in the attacks in October 1916 on the stubbornly defended and vital position of and around the Schwaben Redoubt. On 7th October there was a determined counter-attack by the Germans to recapture the Redoubt. It appears that Private Clarke was killed during this assault.

Clarke went missing on 7th October 1916. 

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

He is remembered in name on the Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 8C, 9A and 16A.

John Clarke - Ireland's Memorial

John Clarke - Medal Roll

A Pension Record card exists for John Clarke's next of kin, Mr Wm T Clarke. He was also allocated John's final pay and allowances totalling £6 18s paid out in 2 instalments.

John Clarke - Pension Record Card

John Clarke - Register of Soldiers' Effects

John's bank Staff Record card ends with the words 'missing believed killed 7th October 1916'.

Gilmore, Alexander William Francis

2nd Lieutenant Alexander William Francis Gilmore (Gilmour) MC 

was born at Bailieborough on 25th June 1898 to Isaiah Gibson Gilmore, Veterinary Surgeon and Chemist and Mary Jane Gilmore nee Argue. He was sometimes known as Alex. His parents were married on 8th November 1893 at St. John the Evangelist Church of Ireland, Sandymount, Dublin.

Isaiah Gilmore died on 24th December 1899 at Lear. He was aged 36.

In 1901 Alex (4) was living at house 11, Main Street, Bailieborough with his grandparents, William & Mary Argue, his mother and 2 sisters; Idea (6) and Helen (2). An uncle and aunt, Patrick Argue and Ellen Argue were also in the house.

In 1911, Alex was living with his grand-father, William Argue at house 67, Bailieborough. His surname was spelt Gilmour. An uncle and aunt, Patrick Argue and Ellen Argue were also in the house.

On 3rd November 1914, Alex joined Northern Bank and worked in Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Alex volunteered in 1916 and enlisted into the 19th Bn Royal Irish Rifles (Cadet Company) with Service Number 19/293.   

A W F Gilmore - Medal Index Card

On promotion to 2nd Lieutenant he was posted to the 15th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles, British Expeditionary Force. It is reported that he went 'to the front early in the present year [1917]'.

The 'Belfast News Letter' dated 28th July 1917 reports on Alex' award of the Military Cross. It also mentions that he was wounded on 7th June 1917.

A W F Gilmore, Military Cross

The Military Cross (MC) citation is reported in the Northern Whig of 18th September 1917.

The Northern Whig of 4th December 1917 reports that Alex had been missing since 23rd November 1917:

Alex fought in battles at Messines (1917) and Ypres (1917) before being killed in action on 23rd November 1917 aged 19. He had first been reported as missing on 1st November 1917.

The Belfast News Letter dated 4th December 1917 reports:

Alex was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial at Louverval.

A W F Gilmore - Memorial Inscription

A W F Gilmore - Ireland's Memorial

The photograph of Gilmore on the Bank Roll of Honour details him as being awarded the Military Cross (MC). He received the MC for his gallantry at the capture of Messines Ridge in June 1916.

Military Cross (MC)

A BBC Newsline website describes a 'Song of the 19th RIR Cadets'. It describes how the lyrics of a song were written to '... give an insight into the everyday lives of the young cadets who were billeted to the Co. Down town during the First World War ...'.  43 names of cadets were mentioned in the song and the author of the article believes that Gilmore was 2nd Lt A W F Gilmore.

The actual verse mentioning Gilmore is transcribed here:

Now, speaking of ladies, a tale I’ve been told,

Of how Sammy and Gilmore and Pollin were sold,

With officers swanky their sweethearts now walk,

But the three that I’ve named do nothing but talk,

They say what they’ll do if they once get the chance,

But the ladies concerned don’t deign them a glance,

Tis a pity to rupture the sweet harmonie,

Where the mountains of Mourne sweep down the sea.

Wilson, Frederick Charles

Frederick Charles Wilson

was born at Ballycorr, Ballyclare on 29th November 1896 to Robert James Wilson, Farmer, Ballyeaston and Anna Wilson nee Ferguson. They were married on 9th February 1893 at the house of the brides father, Samuel Ferguson, Greengraves, Newtownards according to the form and discipline of the Presbyterian Church. The marriage was registered in Newtownards.

In 1901 Frederick (4) was living in house 43 Ballyalbanagh, Ballycorr, Co. Antrim with his parents and 4 siblings; Samuel (5), Robert (0), Hugh (6) and William (1). There were 2 servants also present; Mary Davison and Jane Wilson.

In 1911 Fred was living in house 21 Ballyalbanagh, Ballycorr, Antrim with his parents and 8 siblings; Hugh, Maggie (17), Samuel, William, Robert, Berta (8), Anna (6) and John (2). There were 2 servants also present; Frank Bell and Sarah McConkey.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, a Charles Wilson signed the Ulster Covenant at Ballyclare. This may have been Frederick C at age 15.

On 3rd June 1913 Fred joined Northern Bank at Royal Avenue (as Junior). In the same year he was transferred to Head Office and then Drumshanbo (as Junior).

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue, Belfast branch

In 1915, whilst in Drumshanbo, he volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Dublin Fusiliers with Service Number 25252.

Scans of his Army Service Record consisting of 13+ whole and some burnt pages exist. A few are posted below.

F C Wilson - Army Service Record extract - 

his address is recorded as Northern Bank, Drumshanbo

F C Wilson - Army Service Record extract - 

this shows where he served, unfortunately difficult to read

F C Wilson - Army Service Record extract - 

he is expressing a wish to be posted to the 10th Bn Royal Dublin Fusiliers

Frederick C Wilson - Medal Index Card

Frederick C Wilson - Pension Index Card

Frederick was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for service in the Great War.

Following demobilisation, he re-joined the Northern Bank on 2nd March 1919. Transfers followed to Claudy (1920 - Cashier), Londonderry (1922 - Cashier), Beragh (1922 - Cashier) and Head Office (1923 - Cashier).

Northern Bank, Claudy branch

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Northern Bank, Beragh branch

Following his return to Head Office on 28th October 1923, his Staff Record Card records that he resigned as of 31st October 1923. The bank gave him a 'testimonial' letter.