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)