Connolly (or Conolly), John Henry

2nd Lieutenant John Henry Connolly (or Conolly)

Connolly was born at Coleraine on 4th November 1896 to John Matthew Conolly and Ellen J Conolly nee Henry. They had married at Castlerock on 4th September 1895.

In 1901 Connolly (4) is living in house 4, Castletoodry, Bannbrook, Co. Londonderry with his parents and 2 siblings; Samuel Hardford (3) and Alfred James (1).

By 1911 the property is known as house 8, Castletoodry, Bannbrook, Co. Londonderry. Connolly now has 2 sisters; Margaret (8) and Helen (2).

He was known as Harry and was educated at Coleraine Academical Institution

In 1913, Conolly joined the Belfast Banking Company and served in Central branch. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and recorded his address as Cranagh Hill, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Central branch 

Connolly was a member of Queens’ University, Belfast, Officer's Training Corps (OTC) in 1915. He volunteered and enlisted into the 6th Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was later attached to the 11th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles when he was killed in action (died of wounds – gas) on 1st September 1916.

The Belfast News Letter of 5th September 1916 reports:

He is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery extension (Nord). Conolly is mentioned in ‘Coleraine Hero’s 1914 - 1918’ by Robert Thompson, Coleraine, published privately, 2004.

2nd Lieutenant J H Connolly's name is recorded on the Queen's University Officer's Training Corps War Memorial.

The family surname is spelt Connolly on the Northern Bank War Memorial.

His name is on this [unknown] roll of honour.

Unknown war memorial

Coleraine Acedemical Institution
(courtesy of Nigel Henderson)

Killowen Parish Church (St John Parish), Coleraine

(courtesy of Nigel Henderson)

Queen's University Belfast War Memorial - West Face

(courtesy of Nigel Henderson)

McFall, Thomas Lamont

Newspaper image 

(courtesy of John McCormick)

Lieutenant Thomas Lamont McFall MM

McFall was born at Magherintendry, Bushmills, Co. Antrim on 15th November 1894 to John McFall, Farmer and Elizabeth McFall nee Nevin. They had married at Ballyclabber Meeting House on 8th October 1880.

   
Following his education at Coleraine Acedemical Institution, McFall joined the Belfast Banking Company and is recorded as working in Portaferry and Magherafelt (Belfast News Letter below) branches. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

McFall volunteered and enlisted into the 12th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with Service Number 12/24513.

The 'Northern Constitution' published on 3rd July 1915 carried this report that featured T L McFall:

McFall's first theatre of war is recorded as France from 7th June 1916.

T L McFall - Medal Index Card

Promotion to Lance Corporal, Corporal followed prior to being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 4th October 1915. His promotion was reported in the London Gazette in August 1916.

The Belfast News Letter of 3rd September 1916 reported:

During November 1916, the following was reported:

"Capt. Alexander M Reilly ..... was severely wounded on November 22 1916. The battalion were in the front line just to the south of where the Spanbroekmolen Mine would be blown 6 months later, south of Ypres and suffered heavy bombardment".  

The war diary states:

"A direct hit was secured by the Boche on No 3 Company resulting in the deaths of 3 other ranks and Capt A M Reilly, Company Commander, 2nd Lieut T L McFall and 2 other ranks being wounded. Captain Reilly afterwards died from his wounds in No 2 Casualty Clearing Station".

The Belfast News Letter of 14th December 1916 reports:

McFall was serving with 9th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a Lieutenant when he was killed in action on 7th August 1917 aged 22.

McFall is buried in the Potiize Chateau Grounds Cemetery, leper West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. He had originally been buried in a smaller area of the cemetery with a wooden cross with badge identifying the grave. On 10th July 1919 his remains were re-interred in his current location.

He is also remembered in Dunluce Parish Church, Bushmills.

The Belfast News Letter of 20th August 1917 reports:

McFall was awarded the Military Medal in addition to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. According to the Medal Roll, the latter two were awarded on 31st October 1922.

McFall is remembered in the Ireland's Memorial Record:

The family headstone in Billy Church of Ireland:

Dervock Reformed Presbyterian Church

(courtesy of John McCormick)

 Coleraine Acedemical Institution
(courtesy of Nigel Henderson)

Additional photographs from LennonWylie:

Aggie McFall, James Nevin McFall and Tillie McNeill

Front centre Aggie McFall and front right Tillie McNeill

Thomas's father and two of his three brothers

James, their father John and Robert

Robinson, William Wadham

Private William Wadham Robinson

Robinson was born at Irish Street, Strabane on 28th August 1875 to James Robinson, Merchant and Rose Robinson nee Wadham. They had married on 28th November 1872 at St. Jude's Church, West Derby.

Following his education at Strabane Academy and Wirral College, Cheshire, Robinson joined the Belfast Banking Company. He served in Strabane and Londonderry branches. His mother, Rose Robinson and later, Charles Robinson signed the Bankers Guarantee. Rose's address is recorded as Irish Street, Strabane.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Strabane branch

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

In 1901, Robinson is boarding with the Beattie family in house 9, James Street, Moville, Co. Donegal. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Cashier.

By 1911, Robinson is boarding with the Apperson family in house 13, Francis, Newtownards, Co. Down. He is described as a Bank Cashier and may have been working in that area. 

Belfast Bank, Newtownards branch

Belfast Bank, Portadown branch

Whilst working in Portadown (Belfast News Letter below), Robinson volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Dublin Fusiliers with Service Number 25300. 

W W Robinson - Medal Index Card

He was serving with 10th Bn. Royal Dublin Fusiliers as a Private when he was killed in action on 13th November 1916 aged 41. 

The Belfast News Letter of 4th December 1916 reports:

Robinson is buried in the Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel, Somme, France. 

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

W W Robinson - Medal Roll

He is remembered in Ireland's War Dead:

The Soldiers' Effects ledger records Robinson's pay and war gratuity. The balance was handed to his mother, Rose:

Probate of the Will was granted at Dublin to Rose Robinson, widow.  Robinson's effects were £374 1s.

Fulton, John Alexander

Lieutenant John Alexander Fulton

Fulton was born at Articlave, Co. Londonderry on 13th November 1893 to James Alexander Fulton, Farmer and Bella (Elizabeth) Fulton nee McClelland. They had married on 16th July 1891 at First Presbyterian Church, Coleraine. 

In 1901 Fulton (7) lived in house 2, Gortycavan, Articlave, Co. Londonderry with his parents and 5 siblings; Thomas B (8), Mary E (6), Janie M (4), James (2) and Joseph (0). Two servants; John McMullan and Annie M McLaughlin were also living in the house.

Fulton would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1911. His father and later his uncle signed the Bankers Guarantee. He is recorded as working in Strabane and Kingstown branches.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Strabane

By 1911 Fulton is living in house 28, Mount Street, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry with his parents and x siblings. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, Fulton's father, signed the Ulster Covenant at the Town Hall, Coleraine.

Fulton volunteered and enlisted into the 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and attained the rank of Lieutenant. He is also recorded as serving with the 3rd Bn. Royal Irish Regiment. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 11th July 1916.

J A Fulton - Medal Index Card

- address: Musgrave Terrace, Kingstown, Co. Dublin

 The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Fulton as being 'previously wounded' with his last known address as Kilkenny. It also states that he had been 'twice wounded in action'.

Belfast Bank, Kingstown branch (now Dun Laoghaire)

Due to his injuries, a Pension Record card was opened for John.

Pension Record Card

Fulton married Miss Doris Creeth Sidford on 9th June 1920 at St Paul's Church, Glenageary, Co. Dublin. His address is recorded as 27 Clarinda Park West, Kingstown.