Cunningham, Wilfred James

Sergeant Wilfred James Cunningham

was born at Greencastle on 8th August 1896 to Nicholas Cunningham, Farmer and Margaret Cunningham nee Morgan. They had married in Greencastle on 11th November 1877.

1901 Irish Census - unable to trace a record.

In 1911 Wilfred (14) was living in house 2, Greencastle, Co. Down with his parents and 3 siblings; Nicholas J (26), Henry Leo (19) and Sarah Ann (17). A cousin, Mary Margaret Morgan (34) was also in the property.

Wilfred would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1914. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee.

W J Cunningham - Bankers Guarantee Ledger

Wilfred is recorded as working in Dungannon branch.

Belfast Bank, Dungannon branch

Wilfred volunteered and enlisted into the Army Service Corps on 2nd October 1916 with Service Number DM2/224576.

W J Cunningham - Service Record 1

W J Cunningham - Service Record 2

On 4th October 1916 Wilfred signed up to be trained as a Motor Transport Driver.

W J Cunningham - Service Record 3

He attained the rank of Sergeant. 

W J Cunningham - Medal Index Card

He was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal. His Medal Index Card (above) has a note dated 1st September 1922 on it saying 'Nicholas Cunningham enquiring about medals lost to his son'.

W J Cunningham - Medal Roll

A Pension Record card exists for him.

W J Cunningham - Pension Record - front

W J Cunningham - Pension Record - back

Wilfred was demobilised in 1918/19 and presumably re-joined the Belfast Banking Company.