My Parents - The Heerys

My Father

Black and white portrait of a young John Heery in his military uniform. — Photo of John Heery taken in Alexandria, Egypt.

My Father, John Heery originally from Co Cavan, joined the British Army in 1916, during WW1 (World War One).

During Feb / March 1916, while at a Hiring Fair in Bailieborough, with three other lads, they fell foul to a Recruiting Sergeant and accepted the Kings Shilling. The three other lads were killed in action.

Presumably, the Sergeant explained that the army was a better career option than being hired to farm for a 6 month period. The drink had been taken. He was posted to Victoria Barracks, Belfast.

My Mother

Black and white portrait of Margaret Smyth in her youth. — My Mother, Margaret Smyth in her youth.

My Mother, Margaret (nee Margaret Smyth) was working in the same part of Belfast.

They were married in St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church Belfast, on Easter Monday, 24th April 1916.

Pictures

Black and white photograph of my Mother and my sisters . Taken in the 1950s on a sunny day — From left to right.
Back row: My Mother, Mary (Billy’s Wife).
Front row: My sisters Margaret and Mollie.
The photo was taken about 1950.

Black and white photograph of Margaret Heery mid-life. — My Mother Margaret.

Group photograph of John Heery and his GrandChildren — My Father John Heery is at the back.
Grandchildren from left to right.
Back row: Sean (Joe’s son), Gerry and Bernadette (Billy’s children), Paul (Johnnie’s son).
Mid row: Denis (Magaret’s son), Angela (Joe’s daughter), Marian (Billy’s daughter).
Front row: Cecilia (Mollie’s daughter).

Black and white photograph of John Heery and Margaret Heery. John is to the left, Margaret is to the right — My parents in their old age.

John and Margaret Heery — Taken at my wedding in 1973.