McSparron, Archibald

2nd Lieutenant Archibald McSparron

McSparron was born at Killunaght, Limavady, Co. Londonderry on 16th July 1883 to Andrew McSparron, Farmer and Mary McSparron nee Thompson. They had married on 15th June 1876 at Dungiven Presbyterian Church.

In 1901, McSparron (17) is living in house 5, Killunaght, Owenreagh, Co. Londonderry with his parents and 4 siblings; Sara (24), Emma (23), John (20) and Martha (10). An aunt, Sara Thompson and a servant, Joseph Dougherty are also present in the property.

On 20th March 1902, McSparron joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Carrickfergus (1902 - Junior), Ball’s Branch (1903 - Junior), Head Office (1903), Grafton Street (1903 - Junior) and Donegall Square (1915 - Accountant).

Cheque drawn on Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin (tall building with chimney's)

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch (middle building)

In 1911, McSparron is boarding with the Montgomery family in house 21, St Lawrence Road, Clontarf West, Dublin. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Official. A possible colleague, Joseph Dunlop Henderson (32 – Bank Official) is also boarding in this house.

His family still reside at the farm in Killunaght, Limavady. Archibald's brother John, his mother, and sisters Emily and Martha are living there. Aunt Sara Thompson also resides there.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, a number of Archibald McSparron’s family signed the Ulster Covenant in Londonderry. 

Whilst serving in Donegall Square, 32 year old Archibald McSparron volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse as a Trooper with Service Number 1811. 

Archibald McSparron - Medal Index Card

McSparron was later prompted to Corporal. Service was seen in the Somme 1916 and in Messines 1917  before gaining a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Bn. Leinster Regiment on 30th April 1918.

The excellent North Irish Horse website also carries a biography of Archibald McSparron.

"McSparron enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Antrim on 8 November 1915 (No.1811 – later Corps of Hussars No.71572). At the time he was living at Rosmead, Cavehill Road, Belfast. He was promoted to acting lance corporal on 7 January 1916 and corporal three months later. On 3 August 1916 he embarked for France, joining B or C Squadron of the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment at Flesselles eight days later.

 

He remained with the regiment for a year. In August 1917 orders came that they be dismounted and transferred to infantry. McSparron applied for a commission in the infantry, and left for training in the UK on 24 September 1917. After a short period of leave, on 9 November he reported for duty at No.7 Officer Cadet Battalion at Fermoy. He was assessed as "a good type, should make a good leader", and on 1 May 1918 was appointed 2nd lieutenant and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, The Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians).

 

At the end of September McSparron embarked for France to join the 2nd Leinsters, but instead on 3 October he and four other officers were posted to the 12th Battalion, London Regiment. He took part in the advances over the following weeks leading up to the Armistice.

 

McSparron was demobilised on 14 February 1919 and relinquished his commission on 1 September 1921. He married Mabel Grace Smith at Wandsworth, Surrey, in 1919."

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

Corporal Archibald McSparron - Medal Roll

2nd Lieutenant Archibald McSparron - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation, McSparron re-joined the Northern Bank on 10th March 1919 at Head Office. Transfers followed with Grafton Street (1919 - Accountant), Ball’s Branch (1919 - Teller), Bray (1920 - Accountant) and Fintona (1923 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Fintona branch (branded as Danske Bank)

The Bank Staff Record Card records that he married a Miss Mabel G Smith of Worcester Park, Surrey.

McSparron is named on the Dungiven Presbyterian Church Great War roll of honour:

A McSparron - Dungiven Presbyterian Church

(photo courtesy of John McCormick)

Archibald McSparron resigned from the bank in early 1931 and died on 27th June 1967 at 12 Petersfield Road, Petersfield, Hampshire.

Stewart, Isaac Irwin

Sergeant Isaac Irwin Stewart

Stewart was born at Ballyness, Limavady on 4th February 1890 the son of George Stewart, Farmer and Margaret A Stewart nee Morrison. 

In 1901 Stewart (11) was living in house 42, Ballyness, Gelvin, Co. Londonderry with his grandfather, George Stewart, his parents and 7 siblings; William (*14), George (*12), Lillian (9), Hugh (8), Margaret (6), Robert (4) and Kathleen (1). There were 3 servants also in the property; Daniel McCloskey, Kames McCloskey and Saria Heeney.

* See below re William Stewart and George Stewart.

On 8th April 1908, Stewart joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Bray (1908), Head Office (1909) and Coleraine (1910). 

Northern Bank, Coleraine branch (courtesy of Irene Peden)

In 1911, Stewart was boarding with the Bell family in house 29, Railway Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry. He is now using the first name of Irwin and his occupation is that of a Bank Official.

Further transfers followed to Head Office (1914), Royal Avenue (1914) and Beragh (1914).

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue, Belfast branch

During his time in Royal Avenue, Stewart wrote to the bank on 1st December 1913 and gave 3 months notice of resignation. He withdrew his resignation on 20th February 1914.

Northern Bank, Beragh branch

Whilst based in Beragh, Stewart volunteered on 14th September 1914 and enlisted into the 14th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles as a Private for the duration of the war. His Service Number was 14/15980. The bank Staff Record card records him as volunteering into the 'Young Citizen Volunteers (11th Bn. RIR)'.

Isaac I Stewart - Medal Index Card - 1 - Service Number 14/15980 Royal Irish Rifles

Stewart's first theatre of war is recorded as France from 5th October 1915.

Scans of his Army Service Record is held by the author (via Ancestry & Fold3 archives). It amounts to 26 pages of which some pages were badly burnt whilst in storage in London during the Blitz. A few of the pages are displayed below.

I I Stewart - Army Service Record - extract
- Bank Official aged 24 years and 1 month

I I Stewart - Army Service Record - extract
- Protection Certificate & Certificate of Identity

I I Stewart - Army Service Record - extract

- personal letter returning a completed form to the army

I I Stewart - Army Service Record - extract

- page 1 of a personal letter re his disablement

I I Stewart - Army Service Record - extract

- page 2 of a personal letter re his disablement

I I Stewart - Army Service Record - extract

- Army Conduct Sheet - 29th July 1917 - 

charged with 'reporting himself [unclear]' 

and 'admonished, explained'

I I Stewart - Army Service Record - extract

- location report whilst serving

Stewart served at 'home' from 12th September 1914 to 2nd October 1915. He then served in the British Expeditionary Force from 3rd October 1915 to 6th July 1916 before returning to 'home' from 7th July 1916.

During his service, he was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant. He was injured once; a gunshot wound to the right hand and right leg. 

Demobilisation came in February 1919 and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

I I Stewart - Medal Roll

Due to his injuries, he applied and was granted a pension.

I I Stewart - Pension Card (f)

I I Stewart - Pension Card (b)

I I Stewart - Pension Card Index

Following demobilisation, Stewart re-joined the Northern Bank on 10th February 1919 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Shaftesbury Square (1921), Ballybay (1926), Donegall Square (1928), Fintona (1936) and Newry – manager (1941).

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch

Northern Bank, Newry branch

He married Miss L Hamilton in September 1927.

Isaac Irwin Stewart retired on pension on 31st December 1953. He died on 3rd October 1968 whilst living in Castlerock, Co. Londonderry.

I I Stewart - Probate

I I Stewart is named on the Dungiven Presbyterian Church Second World War roll of honour:

I I Stewart - Dungiven Presbyterian Church
(photo courtesy of John McCormick)

George Stewart and William Stewart, brothers of Isaac Stewart also served in the Great War. Both were killed and are remembered on the Dungiven Presbyterian Church war memorial brass tablet.

George A Stewart & William M Stewart - Dungiven Presbyterian Church
(photo courtesy of John McCormick)

Boyd, William Harris

Trooper William Harris Boyd

Boyd was born at Market Street, Limavady, Co. Derry on 1st April 1884 to Joseph Douglas Boyd, Draper and Martha Jane Boyd nee Rodgers. They had married on 27th May 1864 at Newtownlimavady Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Boyd (16) lived in house 32, Irish Green Street, Limavady with his parents and 4 siblings; Joseph Douglas (27), James Francis (24), Sara Francis (21) and Mary Douglas (19). His father is recorded as a magistrate and a woollen draper.

Boyd joined Northern Bank on 20th May 1902. Transfers followed to Ballinamore (1902 - Junior), Cushendall (1904 - Junior), Head Office (1910 - Relief) and Mohill (1910 - Cashier).  

Northern Bank, Ballinamore branch

Northern Bank, Cushendall branch (1922 burning)

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Mohill branch

By 1911, Boyd is boarding in house 58, Main Street, Mohill, Co. Leitrim with a colleague, Charles Kevin Fitzsimons. One is a Bank Clerk and the other, a Bank Cashier. 

On 27th January 1916 (11th February 1916 Army MIC), Boyd volunteered and enlisted as a Trooper into the North Irish Horse with Service Number was 2112. He served as an Assistant Instructor at the North Irish Horse Signalling School, Antrim.  

Medal Index Card - W H Boyd

The Forces War Records database records William H Boyd as being discharged on 19th December 1917 due to injuries inflicted by a horse. He was awarded a Silver War Badge numbered B139382 - Reason for Discharge: Paragraph 392 King's Regulations (xvi) No longer physically fit for war service.

Silver War Badge - W H Boyd

Boyd was entitled to a pension as a result of his injuries:

Pension Record Card - W H Boyd

Boyd re-joined the Northern Bank on 2nd April 1918 at Head Office with a transfer later to Ballymoney (1918 - Cashier) and Armoy (1922  - Manager). He had previously refused Mohill or Fivemiletown branches on 'grounds of ill-health'.

Northern Bank, Ballymoney branch (to right of Belfast Banking Company)

Northern Bank, Armoy branch with entrance porch tiling

William Boyd married a Miss Frances E McAdoo of Ballinamore. She died on 19th September 1951 at 219 Orby Drive, Belfast. 

Boyd died suddenly at Northern Bank House, Armoy on 9th January 1934 aged 49.

The Belfast News-Letter of 10th January 1934 carried this death notice:

Death Notice - W H Boyd

Hanna, Alexander (Lex)

Captain Alexander Hanna (known as Lex)

Hanna was born at 17 University Street, Belfast on 15th December 1920 to Alexander Hanna, Traveller and Matilda Wallace Hanna nee Trotter. They had married on 26th April 1918 at St. Mary Magdalene Church of Ireland, Belfast. Their addresses were recorded as 9 Upper Crescent, Belfast and 17 University Street, Belfast.

9, 8 & 7 Upper Crescent, Belfast

On 1st May 1939 Hanna joined Northern Bank at Head Office. In 1940 he was transferred to Windsor branch as Junior.

Hanna joined the Territorial Army (Royal Regiment of Artillery) in 1938 and was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 21st May 1941. His unit was the 66th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. His rank and promotions as Lance Bombardier (unpaid), Lance Bombardier and Bombardier. Further promotion came when he was gazetted from a cadet to be a 2nd Lieutenant on 4th June 1943 with Service Number 278219.

Hanna was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the Italy Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal for service during WW2.

The picture above is of Hanna's actual miniature (dress) medal group (my thanks go to his daughter, Pauline for making them available).

See Medals awarded during WWII.

On 16th April 1948 Hanna was awarded a commission in the Territorial Army (TA). He was gazetted to be a Captain from 24th May 1948. Later he was placed on the TA Reserve of Officers on 21st May 1953.

On 7th October 1946 he resumed duty with the Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Ball’s Branch (1946), Head Office (1948), Ballymena (1948 - Assistant Accountant).

The Belfast News-Letter of 13th May 1949 reported Hanna as passing his Institute of Bankers in Ireland final examinations. This was later syndicated to the Belfast Telegraph and the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph.

Hanna was 2nd with an award of 5 guineas when he passed his Diploma in Foreign Exchange examinations as reported in the Belfast News-Letter of 28th April 1950.

Further transfers followed to Newtownbutler (1951 - Cashier), O’Connell Street (1955 - Pro-Manager in 1961), Head Office (1964), Keady (1966 - Manager) and Armagh (1969 - Manager).

Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Ball's branch, Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

Northern Bank, Keady branch

Hanna was transferred in 1969 as Manager to the Scotch Street, Armagh branch. He and his family resided in the managers accommodation above the branch. Whilst there he had been involved with the Combat Cancer Fund (mentioned in various death notices). He retired as Manager on 30th September 1983.

Northern Bank, Scotch Street, Armagh branch

The staff magazine 'The Link' recorded his retirement 'do' at the Carngrove Hotel.

Retirement party for Lex Hanna - 1983

Lex Hanna died on 14th June 2002.