Past residents of Drumbeg

Thomas and Maria were married about 1880. Thomas was listed as a dyeworks foreman in the 1911 census.
The Alexander family belonged to Drumbeg Parish Church for two generations. They were christened in Drumbeg Parish Church. William and some of the girls sang in the choir.

ALEXANDER, 2nd Lieutenant John. Born in Belfast he was educated at Drumbeg National School from which he won a scholarship for Dundalk Educational Institute, “gaining first place in all Ireland”. After completing his education he was employed in Harland and Wolff’s and later at Belfast Ropeworks. He subsequently took first place (from 100 candidates) in a competitive exam for a position in the Belfast Co-operative Society. He received his commission through QUB OTC and served in the 8th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. Killed in action on the Somme on the 15.7.16 aged 24 only twelve days after going to the front, his death is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. He was the son of Thomas and Maria Alexander of Drumbeg, Dunmurry, and brother of Robert Alexander below. He was listed in the 1911 census as a clerk.
ALEXANDER, Rifleman Robert. Born in Lisburn, he lived in Dunmurry, enlisted at Lisburn and served in 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles (17134). Killed in Action on the Somme on the 1.7.16 aged 19, his death is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France, pier 15, face A and B. He was the son of Thomas and Maria Alexander of Drumbeg, Dunmurry. and brother of John Alexander above. He was listed in the 1911 census as a dyer's apprentice.

John Skelton who supplied the photograph is William's grandson.
His mum’s family lived first in No. 1 Charley's Cottages and later on moved to No. 2 Thompson’s Cottages. His mum Lily Skelton had a sister Nell and a brother Willie who are buried at Drumbeg Parish Cemetery. She has a sister Margaret.

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photo supplied by Patrick Cowan
Mabel Cowan (nee Patterson), Ian, Brian (Ian and Brian attended Hillhall Primary School)
Front row: Patrick, Rod

COWAN

Mabel Patterson (daughter of Liz Alexander b1886 -see photo above) was born in 1922 and lived in 5 Thompson's Cottages.
She married Billy (William Harrison) Cowan 1922-2002. Billy was born in Maple Cottage, Hillhall Road (opposite the layby).
Billy and Mabel sang in the Drumbeg Church Choir. They married in 1945 and lived in Ivy Lodge, Hillhall Road until they moved to the Stranmillis area in December 1954. Ian and Brian attended Hillhall Primary School.
For a number of years the younger 2 Cowan boys spent a few weeks summer holiday in Drumbeg.
Billy can be seen in the photo of Drumbeg Church Choir 1948 and in the Home Guard photo

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Maggie Alexander and Mary Kerr
Photograph supplied by John Skelton