Captain William James Lyness MC and 2 Bars, Croix de Guerre
was born at Tullyard, Moira on 22nd July 1895 to William John Lyness, Farmer and Frances Mary Lyness nee Logan. They had married on 26th November 1884 at St John's, Moira.In 1901 Jimmy (6, as he was known) was living in house 15, Tullyard, Moira with his parents and 6 siblings; Thomas (14), Lizzie (11), Henrietta (10), Isaac (7), Richard (3) and Frances (1). An uncle, Robert Lyness and 2 servants, Sandy Kirkwood and Hessie Murphy were also living in the house.
In 1911 the family were living in house 1, Tullyard, Moira. The parents and 5 children; Eveline (22), Anna Elizabeth (21), Richard (13), Frances (12) and Ida (9). A servant, Margaret Burns was also living in the house.
Jimmy was at school at house 7.2, Derry, Lurgan, Co. Armagh. This was the boarding department of Lurgan College.
On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, members of the Lyness' family, Isaac, James and Thomas signed the Ulster Covenant at the Moira Demesne and Market House.
His brother, Lieut. I. Lyness, of the Tank Corps, also holds the Military Cross. Captain Lyness has been wounded in the shoulder by a bullet, but his injury is not serious."
1913 brought Jimmy Lyness success in obtaining a pass in his bank examinations.
Jimmy joined the Belfast Bank and is recorded as working in College Green, Dublin branch. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee.
Mid Ulster Mail - 7th June 1913
Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet
Belfast Bank, College Green branch
Jimmy served with the Royal Irish Rifles and attained the rank of Temporary Lieutenant (1916), Captain and Adjutant (1918). The bank photograph at the top of this page records him as being in the Royal Irish Fusiliers. His Medal Index Card records Royal Irish Rifles.
W J Lyness - Medal Index Card
The Belfast News Letter of 20th January 1917 reports:
Jimmy embarked for France on 19th March 1917 saw action at Messines, Langemark, Cambrai and the Somme (1918).
The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet details Jimmy as serving with the Royal Irish Rifles and that he had been awarded 'military honours' with his last known address as 'in France'.
The Belfast News Letter of 1st August 1917 reports:
The Belfast News Letter of 19th August 1917 reports:
The London Gazette of 18th October 1917 records Jimmy as being awarded a bar to his Military Cross with the citation to this 2nd award being published on 7th March 1919:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When visiting his outpost line he was fired on by the enemy at forty yards range, whereupon he obtained a Lewis gun, stood up in full view of the enemy and fired it from his shoulder until it jammed. He then rushed the enemy post with two bombers, and cleared them out. He had already led a successful attack on the two preceding nights, and it was entirely due to his initiative and personal courage, in spite of three days without sleep, that his posts were established and our position made secure.”
The Belfast News Letter of 9th March 1918 reports:
The Belfast News Letter of 13th September 1918 reports:
The Belfast News Letter of 8th October 1918 reports:
The London Gazette of 10th January 1919 records a 3rd citation as:
"When the right flank of the brigade war held up he went forward to reconnoitre and unexpectedly met with a nest of machine guns and about fifty of the enemy, who opened very heavy fire. With great difficulty he made his way back, got a Lewis gun and a man with a supply of magazines and went
(M.C. gazetted 17th September, 1917.) (1st Bar -gazetted 18th October, 1917.)
The London Gazette of 19th June 1919 records Lyness as being awarded the French Croix de Guerre.
Jimmy Lyness was demobilised with effect from 28th March 1919. The London Gazette describes it as 'relinquishes the acting rank of Captain on ceasing to be employed'. A further entry in the London Gazette states 'Temp. Lt. W. J. Lyness, M.C. relinquishes his commission on completion of service, 6th November 1920, and is granted the rank of Captain.
There is a Pension Card in the name of Capt Wm J Lyness MC that records him being the Adjutant ./ Chaplain in the Royal Irish Fusiliers. This may link in with the Belfast Bank photograph above.
Jimmy embarked for France on 19th March 1917 saw action at Messines, Langemark, Cambrai and the Somme (1918).
The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet details Jimmy as serving with the Royal Irish Rifles and that he had been awarded 'military honours' with his last known address as 'in France'.
The Belfast News Letter of 1st August 1917 reports:
The Belfast News Letter of 19th August 1917 reports:
The London Gazette of 17th September 1917 records his 1st citation as:
T./2nd Lt. William James Lyness, K. Ir. Rif.
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when clearing a wood with his platoon. In spite of the! very strong resistance which he met, his dispositions and leadership were excellent, and after heavy fighting at various points he captured a large number of prisoners and guns of various calibre. His splendid gallantry and coolness proved invaluable as an example to his men."
The London Gazette of 18th October 1917 records Jimmy as being awarded a bar to his Military Cross with the citation to this 2nd award being published on 7th March 1919:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When visiting his outpost line he was fired on by the enemy at forty yards range, whereupon he obtained a Lewis gun, stood up in full view of the enemy and fired it from his shoulder until it jammed. He then rushed the enemy post with two bombers, and cleared them out. He had already led a successful attack on the two preceding nights, and it was entirely due to his initiative and personal courage, in spite of three days without sleep, that his posts were established and our position made secure.”
The Belfast News Letter of 19th October 1917 reports:
The Belfast News Letter of 9th March 1918 reports:
The Belfast News Letter of 13th September 1918 reports:
The Belfast News Letter of 8th October 1918 reports:
The London Gazette of 10th January 1919 records a 3rd citation as:
T./Lt. (A./Capt.) William James Lyness, M.C.; 12th Bn., R. Ir. Rif.
"When the right flank of the brigade war held up he went forward to reconnoitre and unexpectedly met with a nest of machine guns and about fifty of the enemy, who opened very heavy fire. With great difficulty he made his way back, got a Lewis gun and a man with a supply of magazines and went
forward again, engaged the strong point, firing eleven magazines, killing the majority of the enemy, and capturing a machine gun. He then led the flank forward about 500 yards and straightened out the line. The man with him was killed and he was wounded. He showed great gallantry and determination.
(M.C. gazetted 17th September, 1917.) (1st Bar -gazetted 18th October, 1917.)
The Belfast News Letter of 31st January 1919 reports:
The London Gazette of 19th June 1919 records Lyness as being awarded the French Croix de Guerre.
Jimmy Lyness was demobilised with effect from 28th March 1919. The London Gazette describes it as 'relinquishes the acting rank of Captain on ceasing to be employed'. A further entry in the London Gazette states 'Temp. Lt. W. J. Lyness, M.C. relinquishes his commission on completion of service, 6th November 1920, and is granted the rank of Captain.
There is a Pension Card in the name of Capt Wm J Lyness MC that records him being the Adjutant ./ Chaplain in the Royal Irish Fusiliers. This may link in with the Belfast Bank photograph above.
W J Lyness MC - Pension Record Card
The Lisburn Standard of 13th September 1918 records:
"Captain and Adjutant W. J. Lyness, M.C.. Royal Irish Rifles, wounded, is a son of Mr. W. J. Lyness, Tullyard House, Moira, and nephew of Mr. R. Logan, Belfast Bank, Bangor. Before the war Captain Lyness was on the Belfast Bank's Dublin staff. He was a cadet in Colonel Shannon-Crawford's battalion prior to receiving his commission. Captain Lyness, who has been adjutant of his battalion since 22nd March, has a fine record of service, having won both the Military Cross and a bar thereto.His brother, Lieut. I. Lyness, of the Tank Corps, also holds the Military Cross. Captain Lyness has been wounded in the shoulder by a bullet, but his injury is not serious."
On 30th July 2014, I met with Richard Lyness of Messrs R & J Lyness. Richard is the nephew of Jimmy Lyness. Richard told me that Jimmy returned to banking after the war but may have changed banks from the Belfast Banking Company to the Royal Bank of Ireland. This was probably as a result of the Belfast Bank selling its 'southern' branches to the Royal Bank of Ireland in 1923.
Jimmy retired as a bank inspector.
Richard also advised that the medal group and other military gear was presented to the Royal Ulster Rifles Museum. This museum is currently (2022) moving to Bryson House, Bedford Street, Belfast.
A visit to that location on the same date found the medal group to be displayed in a cabinet on their wall. My thanks go to them for allowing me to take the photograph of the medal group.
Incredibly brave men, I take my hat off to these gallant soldiers Lyness, William James. His Brother & family.. Lest we forget 🥇 True Heroes
ReplyDeleteCaleb Boomer