O'Neill, John Rory Pyrde

Flight Lieutenant John Rory Pryde O’Neill

O'Neill was born at Kelvin Parade, Cliftonville Road, Belfast on 16th June 1911 to James Alexander Thompson O'Neill, Factory Manager and Laura Isobel O'Neill nee Pryde. They are recorded as living in house 20, Kelvin Parade in the earlier 1911 Irish Census. They had married on 8th September 1909 at a Church of Ireland in Belfast (Illegible handwriting).

On 20th September 1930 O’Neill joins Northern Bank at Head Office. His address is recorded as 69 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers follow to Ballynafeigh (1931 - Junior), Newcastle (1934 - Junior), Head Office (1935), Crumlin Road (1935 - Junior), Head Office (1939), Connswater (1940 - Junior) and Head Office (1940).

The Belfast News-Letter of 15th April 1932 reports on 'One-Act Plays' that feature J R P O'Neill as one of the actors.

J R P O'Neill is recorded in the '1938 Navy List' as being in the Ulster Division, RNVR from 7th March 1938.

The Northern Whig of 29th March 1939 records J R P O'Neill as a member of the committee of the Mission's Aid to Seamen.

According to the bank Staff Ledger, John volunteered and enlisted into the RAF (Executive Branch following his release from the bank on 19th December 1940 as an Acting Pilot Officer with Service Number 89563. 

In 1941, the London Gazette described his unit as the ‘Equipment Branch’. Promotions to Pilot Officer, Flying Officer and Flight Lieutenant followed.

Following demobilisation, O'Neill resumed duty with the Northern Bank on 13th August 1946 at Head Office.

O'Neill resigned in 1946 to take up a post with British European Airways (BEA).

He continued to take an interest in the Mission's Aid to Seamen and was part of the Eastcote and Ruislip District committee.

O'Neill's  father, J A T O'Neill died in February 1957 at his home, 55 Balmoral Avenue, Belfast.