Jimmy Jacks

Jack

Born January 1, 1893
Died March 22, 1940
Buried Holy Cross Cemetery, outside of Philadelphia on March 26, 1940

Jack was the first son. As a young man he was in the Irish Guards of the British Army, and served in the trenches in France in WW I. He was gassed during the war, and it was my father's opinion that the lung disease that killed him in 1939 had been a consequence of the wartime poisoning. After the war, he came home, then worked in Scotland. He emigrated to the US, settling in Philadelphia. This photo is from his British passport.

His first discharge document from Irish Guards dated 24 April 1914 has his birthdate as 15 Dec 1893, his enlistment as 25th April 1911, and discharge as 24 April 1914. His employ in Guards was as a 'cycle orderly'.

Passport, British, was issued 22 August, 1924. It has his birthplace as Ballyconnell, County Donegal, domicile was Scotland, height was 5'8", blue eyes, black hair, his occupation listed as a Wine and Spirit Salesman. On 17 January 1928, the American consul in Glasgow granted a visa to enter U.S. In 1928 the passport was renewed. Then in August of 1932, the British Consul in Philadelphia granted an extension of the passport. On the last page of the passport there is a stamped 'Reentry Permit No. 750365', dated July 17, 1932 in New York.

Jack Ferry on left with his brother Joe Ferry. Taken in Philadelphia in 1930s.

 

On his "Declaration of Intention" - a form he filled on Nove 10, 1939, to become naturalized citizen of US, he wrote that he had emigrated from Londonderry, Ireland aboard the vessel "Athenia" and arrived NYC on Mar 14, 1928. At the time he filed this form, he was living at 221 N 17yh St., Phila.. On the paper it has his race as Irish and his nationality as British. Accompanying this application for citizenship is a typed page of testimonials to Jack's good character:

"...he has always been a steady respectable, well-conducted young man highly esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact....Prior to Great War he had served for three years in the Irish Guards Regiment and was discharged with a very creidtable record. On the out break of hostilities being of the Reserves, he was called up for a further period of services, which extended over five years and at the cessation of the war he again secured a Merit Certificate for sobriety, efficiency, diligent discharge of duty and general good character....
signed by A. J. O'Doherty, Peace Commissioner, Falcarragh

"Mr John (Jack) Ferry, a native of Forth Ballyconnell Falcarragh, County Donegal has the reputation of being a young man of very good conduct and attention to business."
signed (Rev) John McAteer, P.P.

Another of the same ilk, signed by commanding officer of Irish Guards and dated 16 Nov 1919.

On 10 Dec 1924, according to "Notification of Final Award" from Ministry of Pensions, signed by Mr Braidwood, Jack was awarded a 20 percent disability for life in respect of GSW ( I'm not able to decipher the adjective) of left leg and Debility (tachycardia). I don't know what the left leg injury was, but tachycardia usually means rapid heart rate.

At the time Jack got these testimonials together ( prior to emigration) his address was 58 Rose Street, Garnethill, Glasgow City.

There is in his papers a statement about his good service and discharge from Irish Guards date 24 April 1914. His work in military was as "cycle orderly". The character reference was signed by Lt. Colonel G. Norris, Cmdg 1st Bn. Irish Guards.

He owned a bar on Spring Garden Street for a time. In his papers are blueprints for a device that he invented making the tapping of beer kegs easier to do. He never married.

My sisters Eileen and Florence, remember our father saying of Jack, "...he wouldn't sit down for fear of losing the crease in his pant." Maybe some hint of military bearing and training. Uncle Hughie used to tell me that Jack was too fastidious to have any interest in the farm; when he was home, he would bring unusual ingredients from the bigger stores of Letterkenny, and "spend half a day making dinner."