Neely, Noel Montgomery

Lieutenant (RN) Noel Montgomery Neely

Neely was born at Sion Mills on 27th December 1910 to James Neely, Preparing Master and Margaret Neely nee Irwin. They had married on 9th April 1903.

In 1911 the family were living house 2, Sion Terrace, Attaclady, Co. Tyrone. In the Census return, his father describes Noel’s education as ‘cannot read’.

Neely prepared for the BBCo entrance examination at Skerry's College, 143 Royal Avenue, Belfast.

Northern Whig - Saturday 16 April 1927

[Clipping courtesy of Nigel Henderson]

On 1st April 1927 Neely joined the Belfast Banking Company. His Bankers Guarantee was signed by Thomas McDonald of 'Iona', Castle Road, Dundalk and later by Alexander M Clark of 'Woodhouse', Ravenhill Road, Belfast (Tailor).

Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

The Belfast Telegraph of 11th May 1927 reports that N M Neely entered the bank at Coleraine branch.

Belfast Bank, Coleraine branch

Neely would later play cricket for the bank and is reported in newspaper match reports.

The Belfast Telegraph of 18th May 1929 reports N M Neely as transferring from Castle Place to Head Office.

Belfast Bank, Castle Place branch

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

As well as playing cricket and rugby, Neely was an actor as reported by the Belfast News-Letter of 11th January 1936:

On 1st July 1936 Noel Montgomery Neely married Joan Lorimer from Helen’s Bay in Holywood Parish Church of Ireland Church (St. Philip and St. James). They had 2 children: Peter James (born 16th November 1939 and Patrick Lawrie (born 19th April 1941). Information from Barry Niblock's website.

Neely volunteered and enlisted into the RNVR (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve) probably around 1939/1940. 

The Forces War Record website records his career:

1941 - Temporary Lieutenant - HMS Waterfly

1942 - Lieutenant - HMS Waterfly

1944 - Lieutenant - HMS Circe

 

Noel Simpson, author of ‘The Belfast Bank 1827-1970’ records some detail of a letter from Noel Neely to the bank’s secretary, James Carlisle, describing his first few days of naval life:

"I have been rated seaman, which is one step up from the bottom, and am paid fortnightly at the rate of 21/- a week, starting from next month.  I believe service pay is to be raised by sixpence a day, but when that and any further betterment of my financial lot materialises I shall let the Bank know.

I may cut a very nautical figure in my bell-bottoms, but I find the whole garb too tight for comfort.  Added to that, there is a most miserly allowance of pockets – two only, and so placed that one looks like a lop-sided Mae West and a sufferer from acute hernia.  However, if this hot weather lasts I shall shrink so much that my clothes will fit perfectly!

At the moment I am awaiting draft, and drafting is, apparently, such a haphazard business that I may be sent off any day now.  I have been billeted with a most worthy soul, a local light in the Labour Party.  She is quite a good cook and, as she obviously regards me as a dyed-in-the-wool Tory, I can’t quite get rid of the uncomfortable feeling that I am being fattened as a capitalistic sacrifice.  If only the house possessed a bath I should be happy.  Squabbling about a kitchen sink with four other sailors is a bit trying.”

Having been promoted to Lieutenant (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve), he was serving on board HMS Circe, when he was killed on 23rd April 1944. 

HMS Circe - 1942

Neely is commemorated on Panel 79, Column 2 on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent, England.  

Neely left a widow, Joan and a daughter. They were living at 8 Diamond Gardens, Finaghy when Noel died.. Their son, Peter had died on 1st February 1940 aged 2 1/2 months. Neely is remembered on the headstone in Knockbreda Cemetery.

Knockbreda Cemetery
[Photo courtesy of Nigel Henderson]

Patrick Neely (son) emigrated to the United States in the 1980s and applied for 'naturalization' in 1983. 

US documents for Patrick Neely

Joan Neely died on 10th July 1994 and is buried with her son in Knockbreda Cemetery.

Note: HMS Circe was an ‘Algerine Class’ Royal Navy Minesweeper (J214) built by Harland & Wolff Ltd in Belfast. It was ordered on 15th November 1940 and launched on 27th June 1942. Commissioned on 16th October 1942, the ship received Battle Honours in Sicily 1943, Salerno 1943 and Anzio 1944.

 
Following the end of the war, HMS Circe became an RNVR drill ship in 1956 before being scrapped at Dalmuir in December 1966.