Name

Walter Tennyson McCurry.

Description

Photograph of Lieutenant Walter Tennyson McCurry.

Life Story

Name: Walter Tennyson McCurry.

Service Number:

Rank: Lieutenant.

Battalion:

Regiment: Royal Army Medical Corps.

Born: 19th October 1892, Belfast.

Died: 14th March 1915.

Address: Belfast Bank House, Shankill Road, Belfast

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Walter Tennyson McCurry, son of Joseph and Jessie Graham McCurry, lived at Belfast Bank House, Shankill Road

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The 1901 Ireland Census has Walter living at 15 Shankill Road, Belfast with his mother, father, occupation, Bank Manager, two sisters, Winifred M, 6 years, Edna J, under 1 year, and brother Arthur L, 3 years. An Alice Doggart, 21 years, Nurse, and a Ellen McCandless, 19 years, are registered as also living within the house

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The 1911 Ireland Census has Walter living at 8 Shankill Road, Belfast with his mother, father, Bank Manager, two sisters, Jessie Edna, 10 years, Winifred Margretta, 16 years, and brother Arthur 12 years. Walters occupation at this time is given as Medical Student. A Mary Robinson, 23 years, and Maria O'Neill, 18 years, both Servants, are registered as living within the house also

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Walter joined the Royal Army Medical Corps.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 18th of August 1914.

Walter was a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, when while attending to wounded comrades he was Killed In Action at Ypres on the 15th March 1915 aged 22 years

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A local newspaper states.

McCurry Walter Tennyson, Lieutenant, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, eldest son of Mr Joseph McCurry, manager of the Western Branch, Belfast Bank, Shankill Road. Killed on 15th March while attending the wounded at Ypres

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Another states.

THE LATE LIEUT WALTER M'CURRY

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Preaching yesterday at the Albert Hall, Shankill Road, the Rev Dr Montgomery alluded to the death on the battlefield of this gallant young officer. Lieutenant McCurry, he said, had endeared himself to all who knew him by his kindly ways, his obliging disposition, and his unfailing courtesy. He was a very promising student, displaying high qualities in his studies, and for a number of months he had delivered lectures under the superintendence of Dr Johnstones, of the Royal Victoria Hospital, upon ambulance and Red Cross work, so that the Mission staff and the members of the congregation felt the death of Lieutenant McCurry very keenly. He took a deep interest in the welfare of his country, and when the grave national crisis arose last August he at once offered himself for military medical service in the British Expeditionary Force. There was therefore widespread grief amongst them at the removal of such a promising and genial officer. With Lieutenant McCurry's parents, who were so universally esteemed all over the city, the deepest sympathy was being expressed. They would however, be comforted by the thought that their son was not only a young man of high promise regarding his medical career, but of sincere Christian character, who knew the sources of strength and grace and preparation for the future. Dr Montgomery further reminded the congregation that Lieutenant McCurry was the grandson of an old friend of their work, and at one time a member of the Belfast City Council, the late Mr William Weir J.P, of Springfield. He knew that he expressed the feelings of that entire congregation when he ventured to offer in their name and in his own their sincere sympathy with the bereaved parents, and family and the large circle of relatives on the loss of so patriotic and so gallant an officer. The congregation sang the hymn, How Bright These Glorious Spirits Shine, in memory of Lieutenant McCurry

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Another later paper records

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MEMORIAL TO FALLEN OFFICIERS. Late Lieutenant W T McCurry.

At the morning service in St Mary Magdalene Parish Church, Belfast, yesterday, a memorial was unveiled and dedicated to the memory of the late Dr Walter Tennyson McCurry, lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps, who was killed on the 15th March last at Ypres while attending to the wounded soldiers in one of the first aid stations near the firing line. The gallantry displayed by him on that occasion was subsequently mentioned in despatches. The deceased soldier, who was the eldest son of Mr Joseph McCurry, belonged to the parish of St Mary Magdalene, and was held in the highest esteem by the parishioners. After his gallant death a movement was inaugurated to fittingly perpetuate his memory, and the outcome of the effort was the erection in the church of a beautiful brass tablet bearing the following inscription-

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To The Glory of God.

And In The Loving Memory of

Walter Tennyson McCurry.

Lieutenant Royal Army Medical Corps

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- aged 22 years, eldest son of Joseph McCurry, killed in action at Pyres on the 15th March 1915, while honourably serving his country and gallantly ministering to the needs of wounded comrades. He was buried on the ramparts on the following day (mentioned in despatches).

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends- John xv, verse 13.

Erected by the members of St Mary Magdalene parish as a lasting tribute of the love and esteem felt for one who did his duty both in the time of peace and in the day of battle.

The tablet was unveiled by the Right Rev Dr D'Arcy, Bishop of the diocese, who also performed the dedication ceremony.

Subsequently in his sermon, which was based on the text For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God ( Hebrews chapter 11 verse 10), his Lordship, referring to the late Lieutenant McCurry, said that it was only fitting that the memorial should be erected to one whom was so beloved and associated with their church and parish. He was one who defused brightness and happiness wherever he went. At the outbreak of war he gave up his promising and distinguished career in the medical profession and volunteered his services to his country. He was offered position at the base hospital, where dangers were not so great as near the firing line, but he was determined to go to the very front line of trenches. There he was helping in one of the dressing stations and it could be realised the dangers to which he was exposed there when on some occasions these stations had been completely annihilated. The gallant young officer wished to go where he thought his services might be most valuable and where the risks were greater. It was while ministering to the needs of the wounded that he met his death. He had been cut off in his youth and his promising career had come to an end. His heroism had been acknowledged by his superior officers and his name had been mentioned in despatches for gallantry displayed on the field. He sacrificed his life in the service of his country, and his memory would remain fragrant in the minds of the people of that parish for a long time

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Walter Soldiers Effects were left to his farther Joseph.

His Will states that his Effects, 237. 8s. 11d, were left to his father also.

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Walter received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star

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He is Remembered at Ramparts Cemetery, Lille Gate, Belgium.

To Remember Is To Honour

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