Sergeant Thomas Henry Metcalfe
Thomas Henry Metcalfe was born on 25 January 1881 at Seagoe, County Armagh, second of three children and only son of farmer William Metcalfe and his wife Elizabeth (nee Allen).
He enrolled in the North of Ireland Imperial Yeomanry at Armagh on 9 February 1904 (No.341), serving for four years, at which time he elected to be discharged, time expired.
On 23 November 1908 Metcalfe enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Portadown (No.244). He was promoted to lance corporal on 7 April 1911, corporal on 7 May 1911, lance sergeant on 27 March 1912, and sergeant on 9 November 1912.
On 17 June 1911 the Portadown News reported that:
Portadown has had three members of the North Irish Horse, whose headquarters are at Belfast, selected to attend at the Coronation. This is very creditable to the Portadown men, as there are only twenty-four chosen to represent the regiment. These local men are – Corporal T. Medcalfe, Seagoe; Trooper C. Wilson, Drumnagoon; and Trooper M. Boyle, Drumcree.
In October 1914 Metcalfe was thrown from his horse while on parade, breaking some ribs and causing him to be hospitalised in Belfast for a week.
On 22 November 1915, with the expiration of his term of engagement, Metcalfe elected to be discharged. His record was marked "very good", and soon after he was awarded a Special Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
The image shows Metcalfe in 1912. The full picture can be seen here.