Ferris, John Lindsay

Lieutenant John Lindsay Ferris

was born in Ballinamore on 13th April 1881 to Robert Foster Ferris (Bank Manager) and Maud Ferris nee Lindsay. They were married on 18th June 1879 at First Drumbanagher Presbyterian Church, 

In 1901, John was living at 11 Eglantine Gardens, Belfast with his parents and a sister, Agnes Norah (17). A cousin, Alice Kennedy (14) is also in the property. Both the father and John have their occupations recorded as Bank Official.

Robert Ferris (John's father. Bank Official. 56) died on 20th January 1905 at Grey Lawn, Kensington Road, Belfast.

Agnes Ferris (John's sister) had married Robert Garrett on 8th September 1909.

In 1911 John is living with his mother in house 232 Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast.

John Ferris joined Northern Bank on 14th August 1897 at Head Office – Secretary’s Department.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

 Transfers followed with Relief staff (1908) and Donegall Square (1912 - Accountant). 

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch (Donegall Square West)

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

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie

On 12th March 1915, John enlisted into the 18th Bn. Irish Rifles, aged 33, before being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He was posted to the 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and then transferred to the Machine-Gun Corps. 

J L Ferris - Medal Index Card

John saw service with the British Expeditionary Force and was to see action in the Somme 1916 (Thiepval), Arras (Hindenburg Line) and the Allied Advance 1918. He had been promoted to Lieutenant.

Demobilisation came on 22nd March 1919. He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Following demobilisation, John re-joined the Northern Bank on 14th April 1919 in Head Office. Transfers followed to Connswater Agency (1919), Head Office (1920), Ballynafeigh (1921 - Manager), Head Office (1931 - HO Ledgers) and Shaftesbury Square (1940 - Accountant). 

Whilst in Ballynafeigh branch, John was elected Honorary Treasurer of the Ormeau Golf Club (1922).

John Ferris retired on 28th February 1941. 

He is commemorated on the Fortwilliam Park Congregational Church Roll of Honour.

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

John Ferris (88) died on 5th February 1970 at 104 Castlehill Road, Belfast. He is buried in Plot C1408, Roselawn Cemetery, Belfast. His widow, Anne Elizabeth Ferris died in 1988 and is buried with her husband.

Farquhar, John

Corporal John Farquhar

was born at Ballylaney, Richhill, Co. Armagh on 19th November 1881 to Thomas Farquhar, Farmer and Eliza Jane Farquhar nee Stothers. His bank Staff Record card states his date of birth to be 28th December 1881. His parents were married on 23rd January 1879 at the Registrars Office, Armagh.

In 1901, the family lived in house 7, Ballylaney, Richhill, Co. Armagh. Thomas and Eliza Jane Farquhar lived with their 5 children; John Henry (19), Sarah (16), Ruth (14), Mary Jane (11) and Lucinda (7). John Henry Farquhar has his occupation recorded as a teacher [no explanation found].

On 17th May 1898, John joined Northern Bank. His address is recorded on his Staff Record card is Monkstown, Whiteabbey. Transfers followed with Ballybofey (1899), Newry (1903), Ballycarry (1903), Drumshanbo (1907 - Cashier) and Head Office (1909). 

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

In 1911, John is boarding with the Shannon family in house 7, Glenarm Road, Larne, Co. Antrim. He describes himself as a Bank Official. 

His family are still in house 6 (updated), Ballylaney, Richhill, Co. Armagh. Thomas and Eliza Jane Farquhar lived with their 4 daughters; Sarah (25 - Teacher), Ruth (23 - Teacher), Mary Jane (20 - Draper's Assistant) and Lucinda (16 - Scholar).

Whilst based in Head Office on 6th November 1915, aged 33, he enlisted into the 4th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers as a Private with Service Number 23642.

John Farquhar - Medal Index Card

A posting to the 7th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers followed. He was subsequently promoted to Lance Corporal and then Corporal. John saw action in Guillemont in 1916 where he received a gunshot wound to the right leg. 

Demobilisation came in November 1918 and he was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. 

John Farquhar - Medal Roll

As a wounded soldier and unable to continue service, John also qualified for the Silver War Badge numbered B41649.

John Farquhar - Silver War Badge Register

A Pension Record card exists for John. His address is recorded as Leahurst, Greenisland and Northern Bank, Dowra, Co. Cavan.

John Farquhar - Pension Record card

Following demobilisation, John re-joined the Northern Bank on 19th November 1918 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Oldcastle (1919 - Cashier) and Dowra (1920 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Oldcastle branch 

(later branded to National Irish Bank)

John Farquhar retired in 'poor health' on 30th September 1921. He died in June 1954 aged 72.

Eakin, Herbert James

Lance Corporal Herbert James Eakin

was born in Bailieborough on 16th July 1897 to Samuel William Eakin, Farmer and Essie Eakin nee McFadden. The Registration document records his name as James Herbert Eakin. His parents were married on 20th October 1896 at Shercock Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Herbert lived in house 2, Derrydamph, Skeagh, Co. Cavan with his parents and a servant, Prudence Wedlock.

By 1911, their property is known as house 1, Derrydamph, Skeagh, Co. Cavan. The family group is unchanged and there 2 others present; Rachel Rountree (Farm servant) and Mary McCabe (General Domestic Servant). 

 
On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Herbert J Eakin signed the Ulster Covenant at the First Presbyterian Church, Bailieborough.

Herbert Eakin joined Northern Bank on 14th July 1915 at Head Office with a later transfer to Keady branch on 22nd November 1915 as Junior.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Keady branch (period 70s to 90s)

Herbert was based in Keady branch on 11th December 1915 when he volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse as a Trooper aged 18. His Service Number was 2041. He was later transferred to the Corps of Hussars with Service Number 61679.

H J Eakin - Medal Index Card

He saw service with the British Expeditionary Force. Promotion to Lance Corporal followed. Eakin saw action in Arras 1917, Ypres 1917, Cambrai 1917, Epey, Morval and Bapaume. 

Herbert was demobilised in February 1919 and was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

H J Eakin - Medal Roll

After demobilisation, Herbert re-joined the Northern Bank on 11th March 1919 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Limavady (1919 -  Accountant), Kilrea (1920 - Accountant), Ballynafeigh (1921 - Cashier), Castlewellan (1922 - Cashier), Ball’s Branch (1926 - Paying Teller), Lisburn (1936 - Paying Teller), Donegall Square (1938 - Pro Manager), Lisburn (1942 - Sub Manager) and Hillsborough (1944 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Kilrea branch

Northern Bank, Castlewellan branch

Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch (Donegall Square West)

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch

Herbert married Miss Margaret Hudson of Rathfriland in April 1927.

The 10th April 1957 saw Mr & Mrs H J Eakin living in the Northern Bank House, Portaferry when an announcement was made of the engagement of their daughter, Shelagh to Robert Burns Ross. Their marriage was held on 2nd November 1957 at Ryerson United Church, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Herbert Eakin retired from the bank on 30th June 1960.

Further information can be found in the excellent North Irish Horse website.

Cowan, William Percival Graham

Corporal William Percival Graham Cowan (known as Graham)

was born in Bailieborough on 1st May 1897 to William John Cowan, Bank Clerk and Emily Caroline Cowan nee Dobson. He was baptised on 30th September 1897 at St James', Halifax, York. 

In 1901, Graham was living in house 17, Deramore Avenue, Belfast with his parents. His father's occupation is described as a Bank Cashier. 

By 1911, Graham was living in house 62, Main Street, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan with his parents and a servant, Mary Reynolds Boyle. His father's occupation is now described as a Bank Manager.

Graham joined Northern Bank on 14th April 1914 at Head office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Bailieborough (1914 - Junior), Virginia (1915 - Junior) and Ramelton (1915 - Junior).

Northern Bank, Virginia branch

Northern Bank, Ramelton branch

Whilst based in Ramelton, Graham volunteered for war service on 11th November 1915 (aged 18) into the North Irish Horse as a Private with Service Number 1993. He saw service with the British Expeditionary Force, transferring later the 9th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers with Service Number 41532. He was posted to Cadet School, Ripon in 1918 and promoted to Corporal. Graham saw action in Cambrai 1917, Havrincourt 1917 and with the Allied Advance 1918. 

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

W P M Cowan - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation on 18th February 1919, Graham re-joined the Bank in Dungannon as Cashier. Transfers followed to Head Office (1922 - Stock & Coupon Department), Shaftesbury Square (1931 - Teller) and Irvinestown (1933 - Pro Manager at Kesh sub branch / agency).

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square, Belfast branch

Graham married Georgina (Ina) Richardson on 7th July 1926 at Dungannon. There are some Ancestry public family photographs are attached below.  

He resigned from the bank on 12th October 1934 and later set up as a 'tobacconist and confectioner' at 49 Cregagh Road, Belfast.

Shop & house (above) at 49 Cregagh Road, Belfast (Courtesy of Google Earth)

Graham was a member of Shandon park Golf Club and was President of the Belfast and Northern Ireland Retail Confectioners' Association.

The Belfast Telegraph published on 4th September 1944 reported that Mr W P G Cowan had presented wallets of money to residents of the 'Earl Haig Ex-Servicemen's Colony, Cregagh, Belfast. Further information on the 'Cregagh Colony' can be accessed in these links:

YouTube video presentation by Nigel Henderson

Homes for Heroes NI (1921 - 1939) - Facebook group - search for 'Cregagh' within the group

Belfast Telegraph - 4th September 1944

Graham Cowan died on 24th May 1961 at 49 Cregagh Road, Belfast. he is buried in Roselawn Cemetery, Belfast. His 'Will Extract' reads:

'Cowan, William Percival Graham of 49 Cregagh Road Belfast tobacconist and confectioner died 24 May 1961 at Forster Green Hospital Belfast Administration W/A Belfast 25 October to Georgina Cowan the widow. Effects £5778 11s. 3d.'.

Ina and Graham Cowan labelled as at Coalisland 1921

Cowan wedding 7th July 1926, x, Graham C, Ina, Aileen R, Eileen C

Ina & Graham Cowan with their housekeeper, Madge Trimble

Dorothy Marshall, Dick M, X, Y, Ina, Graham at Cowan's

Further information can be found in the excellent North Irish Horse website.

Craig, John Henry

2nd Lieutenant John Henry Craig

was born at 7 Kildare Street, Newry on 15th April 1896 to John Craig, Merchant and Susan Craig nee McClelland. The bank Staff Record Card records his name as John Henry Craig (photo above shows Craig I H) and has his date of birth as 12th April 1896 annotated on it. His parents were married on 11th April 1887 at Shankill Parish Church, Lurgan.

In 1901 John (4) lived in house 7, Kildare Street, Newry with his parents and 5 siblings; Susan (7), Emily (13), Eleanor (10), Charles (8) and Samuel (2). Two other men were also in the property; Samuel Agnew (Shop Apprentice)  and James Agnew (Shop Assistant). A servant, Mary Kearney was also present.

By 1911 the property is known as house 4, Kildare Street, Newry. John is living with his parents and siblings although the line for Susan was stroked out. Other people present were John Taylor (Apprentice), Margaret Duffy (Servant) and Isabella Campbell (Servant).

 
On 29th May 1912 John joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Ballyclare (1912 - Junior) and Head Office (1914).

Northern Bank, Ballyclare branch

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

John volunteered and enlisted on 19th September 1914 into the 16th Bn Royal Irish Rifles for the duration of the war. His Service Number was 16/931. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal, Acting Corporal, Sergeant and then given a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.

His first theatre of ware is recorded as France from 5th October 1915.

J H Craig - Medal Index Card

J H Craig - Medal Roll 1

J H Craig - Medal Roll 2

John was discharged from the Army on 25th May 1918 and returned to the bank. He was awarded the 1915 Star, British Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in the Great War.

He resigned on 1st December 1918 for an accountancy role in 'War Pensions'.

Possible matches

The Belfast Telegraph published on 14th April 1932 reports a John Henry Craig as working for the Ministry of Labour as Chief Officer.

The Northern Whig published on 25th February 1956 reports a John Henry Craig, Ballyholme Esplanade, Bangor as being appointed as a new Permanent Secretary of Agriculture.

The above mentioned gentleman died on 23rd August 1957 at Government Buildings, Stormont.