Fitzsimons, Charles Kevin

Private Charles Kevin Fitzsimons or Fitzsimmons

was born on 9th November 1890 at 80 Hill Street, Newry to James Fitzsimmons and Elizabeth Fitzsimmons nee Keegan. His birth was registered as Charles Edward Fitzsimons and the bank staff records show him as 'known as Kevin'. His parents had married on 28th November 1882 at the North City Roman Catholic Cathedral, Dublin.

Kevin joined Northern Bank on 10th June 1909 at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

In 1909 Kevin was transferred to Mohill branch.

Northern Bank, Mohill branch

By 1911, Kevin is boarding in house 58, Main Street, Mohill with a colleague, William Harris Boyd (27). Kevin is described as a Bank Clerk and William Harris, a Bank Cashier.

Later transfers took Kevin to Ballycastle (1912) and Shercock (1914).  

Northern Bank Ballycastle branch

On 11th July 1912 the Ballymoney Free Press and Northern Counties Advertiser reports C K Fitzsimons as a competitor in the Ballycastle Regatta and Sports Day.

Former Northern Bank, Shercock branch

On 6th October 1914 (aged 23), whilst based in Shercock branch, Kevin enlisted into the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) as a Private with Service Number 42865.  

Medal Index Card - Pte C K Fitzsimons

Kevin served with the British Expeditionary Force in France and saw further action during the Suvla Bay landings at Gallipoli and in Salonika.  

On 18th November 1915 the Ballymoney Free Press and Northern Counties Advertiser published a letter from the 'Front'. Kevin wrote about his service with the 32nd Field Artillery, RAMC in the Mediterranean and the Dardanelles.

'Letter from the Front' by C K Fitzsimons

Later he transferred to the 2nd Bn. Princess Victoria's (Royal Irish Fusiliers) with Service Number 52066. Further action was seen in Suvla Bay, Serbian Retreat, Struma Valley, Gaza and Nablus (Palestine).

On 25th May 1916 the Ballymoney Free Press and Northern Counties Advertiser has an article with a personal letter from C K Fitzsimons entitled a 'Letter from the Balkans'

'Letter from the Balkans' by C K Fitzsimons

Kevin was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. 

Medal Rolls - Pte C K Fitzsimons

He was demobilised in 1919 and re-joined the Northern Bank on 23rd April 1919 at Shercock as Cashier. 

Transfers followed to Ballycastle (1919 - Accountant, Cashier), Shercock (1921 - Manager). Further transfers followed with Dowra (1921 - In charge), Skerries (1925 - Cashier), Head Office (1925), Oldcastle (1934 - Sub-Manager) and Head Office (1935 - Ledgers, No. 3 Teller, Sort).

Northern Bank, Oldcastle branch (branded as National Irish Bank)

Retirement came on 30th June 1941. 

Kevin died on 10th March 1953 aged 62. A family member has advised that he is buried in Wandsworth Cemetery, London.

Kevin was commemorated in a Gallipoli Centenary event at the Northern Banking Company exhibit, Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra in April 2015. Video of the event here.

Photographs courtesy of History Hub Ulster