Private Alexander Roy
Alexander Roy was born on 9 November 1892 at 18 Conningsby Street, Belfast, the ninth of eleven children of commercial traveller Joseph Roy and his wife Ellen (nee Lavery). By 1911 he was living with his parents and three sibilngs at 125 Old Lodge Road, Belfast, and working as an apprentice dentist.
The date Roy enlisted in the North Irish Horse, and his regimental number, are currently unknown. Articles in newspapers in late 1916 and early 1917 refer to him as a dentist, living at Dungannon. However the Presyterian Church of Ireland Roll of Honour lists him as having served as a trooper in the North Irish Horse, address, Florenceville Avenue, Belfast.
It appears that Roy did not see overseas service, remaining at the regiment's reserve depot at Antim for the duration of his service.
After the war Roy established a dental practice in Cookstown. On 12 October 1927 he married Sarah Barkley. He died at his home in Loy Street, Cookstown, on 18 November 1949.
Belfast News-Letter, 19 November 1949
Three of Roy's brothers served during the war. David Roy served in the North Irish Horse and as an officer in the Royal Irish Rifles. Hugh St Clair Roy, a veteran of the Boer War, rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Royal Air Force – in 1916 and 1917 he was awarded a Military Cross and Bar.