MacBride, Thompson Gamble

2nd Lieutenant Thompson Gamble MacBride

was born at 7 Castlereagh Place, Belfast on 17th May 1895 to Joseph MacBride, Printer and Phoebe MacBride nee Gamble. They had married on 25th July 1894 at Holywood Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Thompson was living in house 268 Ravenhill Road, Belfast with his parents and brother Norman. A servant, Mary Ann McCaffery was also present in the property.

In 1911 Thompson (15) was living in house 32, Knock Road, Belfast with his parents and 2 siblings; Henry Norman (12) and Anna Marjorie (9). An aunt, Mary Gamble is also present in the house.

On 28th September 1912, Thompson signed the Ulster Covenant at the Old Town Hall, Belfast giving his address as Beacon Field, Knock, Belfast.

Following his education at Campbell College, Thompson joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1913.

Thompson served with Queen's University Officer Training Corps before joining the Royal Irish Fusiliers and attaining the rank of Lieutenant. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 28th September 1916.

T G MacBride - Medal Index Card
(address: 1 Adelaide Street, Belfast)

His Medal Index Card above records that he was eligible for a Silver War Badge from 27th March 1919 although there is no record on the SWB register of one being issued.

The Belfast News Letter of 13th November 1915 reports:

He worked in Head Office and Newtownards branch.

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

Belfast Bank, Newtownards branch

T G MacBride - Medal Roll

A Pension Record exists for a T G McBride, Royal Irish Fusiliers. 

T G McBride - Pension card

Thompson is recorded as arriving in London on a sailing from Hong Kong in 1920. His occupation is recorded as an Army Officer.

He was a member of Ballymacarrett Masonic Lodge:

The Ancestry website records a T G MacBride as serving in the Royal Ulster Rifles during the Second World War.

Thompson took up the law as a profession. The PRONI Wills database records:

"MacBride Thompson Gamble of 77 Malone Road Belfast barrister-at-law and civil servant died 31 May 1956 Administration Belfast 25 June to Mary MacBride the widow. Effects £1020 16s. 3d."

Thompson MacBride, last known residence 77 Malone Road, Belfast died on 31st May 1956 aged 61 and is buried in plot B3 21 at Dundonald Cemetery. His father, Joseph (94) died on 18th February 1959 and a Mary Adelaide MacBride (88) died on 2nd October 1990 are also buried in that plot.

Memorial to T G MacBride

MacBride Family Plot at Dundonald Cemetery

MacBride Family Plot at Dundonald Cemetery

CWGC Headstone for T N MacBride