Galway, Albert Brice

Albert Brice Galway

Galway was born at Kilkeel on 5th October 1898 to Brice Galway (watchmaker) and Annie Elizabeth Galway nee Reid. They had married on 29th December 1897 at Eglish Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Galway lived in house 2, Broad Street, Magherafelt, Co. Londonderry with his parents and a servant, Jane Mawhinney (17).

Annie Elizabeth Galway died aged 37 on 31st March 1908. She was recorded as 'wife of a watchmaker'.

Mid-Ulster Mail, 27th November 1909

By 1911 the property was known as house 7. Galway lived with his father and a servant, Mary Mawhinney (18).

On 3rd April 1917 Galway joined Northern Bank at Carrick-on-Shannon branch. 

Northern Bank, Carrick-on-Shannon branch

On 5th May 1917 Galway volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse as a Private with Service Number 71846. 

His Army Service Record is available and consists of 23 scanned pages. Galway records his occupation as a Bank Clerk. The first page is displayed below:

Army Service Record - A B Galway (1st page)

Later on, Galway transferred to the Army Cyclist Corps with Service Number 23921.

This section is taken from the website 'North Irish Horse in the Great War' 

"Galway enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Boyle on 16 May 1917, joining the regiment at Antrim nine days later (No.2461 – later Corps of Hussars No.71846). While in training at the regiment's Antrim base depot he qualified as a 1st Class Shot.

On 5 November 1918 Galway embarked for France with a reinforcement draft for the North Irish Horse Cyclist Regiment. They joined the regiment in the field on 22 November, eleven days after the Armistice had brought an end to the fighting.

On 7 June 1919 Galway was one of twenty-two men of the North Irish Horse Cyclist Regiment who volunteered to transfer to the Army Cyclist Corps (No.23921). They were posted to the IV Corps Cyclist Battalion at Rolsdorf, part of the Army of Occupation on the Rhine."

Galway was demobilised on 31st March 1919 to the Class Z Army Reserve. It is presumed that Albert returned to Northern Bank.

Following his demobilisation, Galway was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal. He received and acknowledged receipt of the first medal on 8th May 1922.

Medal Index Card - A B Galway

Medal Roll - A B Galway

The 'North Irish Horse in the Great War' website carries a full biography of Albert Galway.

This website records Albert as dying in 1962. It has not been verified.

Gilmore, William P E

William Eccles Gilmore or Gilmour

Gilmore was born at 21 The Diamond, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry on 9th January 1889 to William Gilmour, Watch Maker and Margaret Johnston Gilmour nee Wallace. They had married on 16th June 1880 at the residence (in Coleraine) of Reverend Robert Wallace of the Presbyterian Church.

William Gilmour Senior died aged 43 on 6th September 1896 at Coleraine.

In 1901 Gilmore (12) was living in house 20 The Diamond, Coleraine with his mother and 3 siblings; John (19), Robert (15) and Susan (7). A servant, Margaret Taggart is also present in the property. 

The Coleraine Chronicle of 10th January 1903 reports that Gilmore did a solo performance at the New Row 'Band of Hope' concert.

The Coleraine Chronicle of 23rd February 1907 reports that William has passed with distinction his entrance examination for Northern Bank:

Gilmore joined Northern Bank later that year and is recorded as working in Bray branch. The 1924 Northern Banking Company Centenary Volume records his surname and initials as W P E Gilmour whilst the Roll of Honour records as Gilmore W E.

In 1911, a William Gilmore (22) is boarding with his brother, Robert (25) in house 54, Grove Park, Rathmines & Rathgar West, Dublin. Both are described as Bank Clerks and are from Co. Derry.

No photograph or further information on his military and banking career is available.

Hunter, William Herbert

Captain William Herbert Hunter

Hunter was born at 5 Chichester Terrace, Belfast on 8th April 1915 to Herbert Charles Hunter, Secretary (Linen business) and Ellen Hunter nee Miskimmin. They had married on 8th May 1901 at St James' Church, Antrim Road, Belfast. 

In 1911 Hunter was living with the Miskimmin family (Ellen's parents) with his parents in house 25 Antrim Road, Belfast. A sister, Ellen (8) was also present in the house.

Schooling for Hunter was at Belfast Royal Academy, Cliftonville Road, Belfast.

On 1st March 1933/38 (year is unclear), Hunter joined Northern Bank at Head Office and was based in the Post Room.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Whitehead (1939 - Junior) and back to Head Office (1940).

Northern Bank, Whitehead branch

On 15th December 1939, Hunter enlisted into the Royal Artillery and was ‘Called up’ on 13th January 1940 as a Gunner. Promotion followed to Lance Bombardier, Cadet, 2nd Lieutenant (1942) and Captain with Service Number 224892.

Although the war in Europe had ended on 8th May 1945 (Victory in Europe Day), Capt William Hunter was still serving there with the Royal Ulster Rifles. He had been home on leave at the end of August 1945 and had called into Whitehead branch to speak to his colleagues and friends.

Shortly after his return to Germany, he was Killed on Active Service on 11th October 1945 aged 30. The 'incident' was reported to the War Office Casualty Branch for the 24 hours ended 09.00 hrs on 16th October 1945 (Forces War Record website). On 5th November 1945 the record was corrected to 'as a result of an accident'.

Hunter's address at the time of his accident was 730 Antrim Road, Belfast.

The Belfast Telegraph reported that he was ‘Killed in a motoring accident in Germany on 11th October 1945'. Hunter is buried in the Munster Heath War Cemetery, Germany. Many of the burials are those who died serving with the Army of Occupation following the end of the war.

His CWGC headstone reads as follows:

CWGC Document showing agreed headstone inscription details

Capt W H Hunter - CWGC Headstone

Munster Heath War Cemetery, Germany

An obituary and photograph were published by the Belfast Telegraph on 19th October 1945.

Belfast Telegraph 19th October 1945

Following this BelTel news report, a member of the Northern Bank staff (Staff Department) pasted the clipping onto William's staff record sheet.

Excerpt from William Hunter's Staff Record Sheet

The Larne Times dated 25th October 1945 published this article:

Clipping courtesy of Nigel Henderson

Capt. Hunter is remembered on a family headstone in the 'Corner Graveyard' at Carnmoney Parish Church:

Photo courtesy of Nigel Henderson

Capt. Hunter is remembered on two war memorials at Belfast Royal Academy and Malone Rugby Club (both photos courtesy of Nigel Henderson.

W H Hunter - Belfast Royal Academy

W H Hunter - Malone Rugby Football Club

Corkey, Herbert John

Herbert John Corkey

Corkey was born at Warrenpoint on 4th August 1898 to John Corkey, Farmer and Helen Louisa Corkey nee Grandy. They were married on 3rd August 1892 at Kilcommon Church of Ireland, Co. Wicklow.

In 1901 Corkey (2) lived in house 7, Donaghaguy, Warrenpoint with his parents and 2 siblings, Martha Mary (13) and Isaac Henry (5). Two servants were also present in the property, William Skillen (20) and Mary Jane Skillen (13).

By 1911 Corkey was living in house 1, Great George’s Street, Warrenpoint with his parents and a sister, Evelyn Louisa (4).

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Corkey and his father signed the Ulster Covenant at Warrenpoint. His mother, Helen signed the Women’s Declaration (Covenant). 

On 5th October 1914, Corkey joined Northern Bank at Head Office.  

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Fintona (1914 - Junior), Magherafelt (1916 - Junior), Limavady (1916 - Junior) and Head Office (1917 - Junior).  

Northern Bank, Fintona branch (courtesy McCullough family archive)

Northern Bank, Magherafelt branch

Cheques drawn on Northern Bank, Limavady, 1963 

(branch demolished & rebuilt as a modern building)

Corkey volunteered and enlisted as a Rifleman into the 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles on 29th September 1917 with Service Number 20576. He also served in the 19th Battalion.

H J Corkey - Medal Index Card

H J Corkey - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation, Corkey was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

Corkey re-joined Northern Bank on 7th April 1919 at Newry. A transfer to Crumlin Road as Cashier  came in 1920.  

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Herbert Corkey resigned from Northern Bank on 25th September 1920 and emigrated to Canada where he worked as a bank accountant. He crossed the Canada border into USA on 15th October 1923 and settled in the US.

H J Corkey - Canada / USA Border Crossing Card

Corkey  married Melba L Ogden on 10th November 1925.  

Following the entry of the US into WW2, Corkey was registered for the 'Draft' at the upper age limit of 43/44.

H J Corkey (Senior) - Draft Registration Card

At the same time, Corkey's son, also called Herbert John Corkey Junior was also registered for the 'Draft'.  He was aged 19 in 1946 and was recorded as a 'Returned Vet - Honourable Discharge - US Navy'

H J Corkey (Junior) - Draft Registration Card

Herbert Corkey died on 8th March 1971 and is buried in Washington Heights Memorial Park, Ogden, Weber County, Utah, USA.

Courtesy of 'Find a Grave' website

Carlisle, John Craig

Lieutenant John Craig Carlisle

Carlisle was born at Derryvalley, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan on 16th January 1895 to Samuel Carlisle, Farmer and Margaret Carlisle nee Gillespie. They had married on 26th April 1894 at First Ballybay Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Carlisle (6) is living in house 3, Derryvalley, Ballybay with his parents and 2 sisters; Eileen (3) and Jane Matilda (1). A servant, Mary McGowan (13) also lives in the property.

On 10th October 1910 Carlisle joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Dromore (1911 - Junior), Donegall Square (1911 - Junior), Grafton Street (1913 - Junior) and Head Office (1915 - Junior).

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Donegall Square

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin

In 1911, Carlisle (16) was boarding with the Jardine family in house 43, Church Street, Dromore, Co. Down. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. John's family still live in Derryvalley and have a new daughter, Dora,

On 20th November 1915 Carlisle volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles, then the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps (OTC). John later saw service with the Machine-Gun Corps and was promoted to Lieutenant.

Medal Index Card - John C Carlisle

Carlisle was later awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

On 5th October 1918, Carlisle married Anna Ferguson of 49 Rathgar Road, Rathgar, Dublin in Rathgar Presbyterian Church. (Source: Genealogy Ireland).

A comment was left in 2017: "Torpedoed! The RMS Leinster Disaster" by Philip Lecane. For further information please contact the author through the website www.rmsleinster.com with individual links:

John C Carlisle  &  Anna Carlisle

RMS Leinster was an Irish ship operated by the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company. She served as the Kingstown-Holyhead mailboat until she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine SM UB-123, which was under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Robert Ramm, on 10th October 1918, while bound for Holyhead. She went down just outside Dublin Bay at a point 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east of the Kish light. (Source: Wikipedia)

Following demobilisation, Carlisle resigned from the bank and became an accountant with the Air Ministry (1919).

In 1939, Carlisle was living in 42 Woodland Gardens, Hornsey, Middlesex, England. He is recorded as married and a Bank Manager.

1939 Register - John C Carlisle

John C Carlisle died in late 1966 aged 71 at Hove , Sussex, England.

Probate Record - John C Carlisle

Cooper, Thomas W

Warrant Officer (Class 2) Thomas William Cooper

Cooper was born in Winchester in quarter 4, 1868 (Ref: Ancestry.co.uk - England & Wales, Civil Registration Births Index). His mother's maiden name was Wring.

Around 1900/1902, Cooper married Mary Wilson (Ref: Birth Registration for Jane Cooper, 1905)

On 4th October 1904, at Clonmel, Colour Sergeant Thomas Wm Cooper (Service Number 1342) was discharged from the 4th Bn Royal Irish Regiment.

Proceedings on Discharge - Thomas W Cooper

Cooper joined Northern Bank in 1904 as a Bank Porter based in their Grafton Street, Dublin branch.

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin

In 1911, Cooper (41 - see above re his birth registration) is residing in house 116, Grafton Street, Dublin with his wife, Mary Ellen and his children; Elizabeth (8), Jane (5), Isabella (3) and Thomas (2).  His occupation is recorded as a Bank Porter. The building is recorded as a 'shop and dwelling'.

Cooper was based in Grafton Street branch, Dublin when he enlisted on 16th September 1914 into the 5th Bn. Royal Irish Regiment with Service Number 2033.

Army Reserve Attestation Form - T W Cooper

Medal Index Card - T W Cooper

His first theatre of war was recorded as the Balkans from 22nd July 1915.

He subsequently saw service in Gallipoli, the landing at Suvla Bay and in the Salonika Campaign (Retreat from Serbia). 

Following his promotion to Company Quarter Master Sergeant (CQMS) he was further promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2.

Cooper was demobilised in April 1919 and was awarded the 1915 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Cooper was commemorated in a Gallipoli Centenary event at the Northern Banking Company exhibit, Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra in April 2015.

Gavin Bamford presenting the Gallipoli event at Cultra

The Last Post Award

Thomas Cooper (70) died on 6th October 1939 as reported in the Belfast Telegraph. He is buried in Dundonald Cemetery, Belfast:

Belfast Telegraph, 7th October 1939

Mary Ellen Cooper died on 22nd April 1917 - age 46 - wife born c. 1871
Thomas William Cooper died on 23rd September 1971 - age 62 - son born c. 1909
Margaret Cooper died on 24th October 1936 - age 59 - ? born 1877

The grave was opened in 1939 for the interment of Thomas Cooper. This document is from the Dundonald Cemetery records.

Courtesy (paid for) of Belfast City Council - Dundonald Cemetery