Peerage Record – 17117

     Edward Hickman Persse was born on 13 May 1842 at Newcastle House, Galway, County Galway, Ireland^G.² He was the son of Thomas Moore Persse and Margaret Hickman.² He was baptised on 1 August 1842 at Galway, County Galway, Ireland^G.² He married Honoria Maria Finucane, daughter of Andrew Finucane, on 16 February 1870 at St. Anne’s Church, Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland^G.² He died on 20 July 1887 at age 45 at County Dublin, Ireland^G.² He was buried at Bohermore Cemtery, County Galway, Ireland^G.²
     He lived at Mount Vernon, Taylor’s Hill, County Galway, Ireland^G.^1,2

     Major James Edward Blakiston-Houston was born on 18 November 1877.¹ He was the son of John Blakiston-Houston and Marian Gertrude Streatfeild.¹ He married Dorothy Irene Rea, daughter of Colonel Frederick William Rea, on 18 October 1913.¹ He died on 27 January 1958 at age 80.¹
     He gained the rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in the 8th Hussars.¹ He gained the rank of Major in the 8th Hussars.¹ He was appointed Officer, Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.)¹ He was Commander of the Ulster Special Constabulary, County Down in 1936.¹

     Dorothy Irene Rea was the daughter of Colonel Frederick William Rea.¹ She married Major James Edward Blakiston-Houston, son of John Blakiston-Houston and Marian Gertrude Streatfeild, on 18 October 1913.¹ She died on 12 November 1962.¹
     From 18 October 1913, her married name became Blakiston-Houston.¹

     Colonel Frederick William Rea gained the rank of Colonel in the 99th Infantry.¹

     Sheelah Blakiston-Houston was born on 7 March 1915.¹ She is the daughter of Major James Edward Blakiston-Houston and Dorothy Irene Rea.¹ She married Major Robert Dempster Wilson, son of Moses Wilson and Elizabeth Dempster, on 31 January 1942.¹
     She gained the rank of Junior Commander in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.¹ From 31 January 1942, her married name became Wilson.¹

     Major Robert Dempster Wilson was the son of Moses Wilson and Elizabeth Dempster.^1,2 He married Sheelah Blakiston-Houston, daughter of Major James Edward Blakiston-Houston and Dorothy Irene Rea, on 31 January 1942.¹ He died on 27 January 1957.¹
     He gained the rank of Major in the Royal Army Service Corps.¹

     Moses Wilson was born on 14 June 1847.² He was the son of James Wilson and Nancy Wilson.³ He married Elizabeth Dempster on 11 July 1876 at Newry, County Down, Ireland^G.³ He died in 1930.³
     He was with the Belfast Bank between 1865 and July 1918.³ He was a director of the Belfast Bank between 1904 and 1918.³ He lived at Craigavad, County Down, Ireland^G.¹ He had seven other children.³

     James Dempster Wilson was born on 19 February 1944.¹ He is the son of Major Robert Dempster Wilson and Sheelah Blakiston-Houston.¹
     He was educated at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland^G.¹

     John Houston Wilson was born on 19 February 1944.¹ He was the son of Major Robert Dempster Wilson and Sheelah Blakiston-Houston.¹ He died on 18 September 1961 at age 17.¹

     Barbara Kathleen Blakiston-Houston was born on 24 November 1917.¹ She was the daughter of Major James Edward Blakiston-Houston and Dorothy Irene Rea.¹ She died on 16 March 1942 at age 24, killed while on active service, in a flying accident.¹
     She gained the rank of Assistant Section Officer in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force.¹ She fought in the Second World War.¹