Shortt, James Alexander

Lieutenant James Alexander Dickson Shortt (RNVR)

Shortt was born at 222 Grosvenor Road, Belfast on 4th December 1917 to James Shortt, Mechanic and Agnes Mary Shortt nee Diamond. They had married on 13th December 1911 at University Road Methodist Church, Belfast.

An older sister, Sarah Jane Hamilton Shortt was born on 1st October 1916.

Education was at Methodist College, Belfast. The Belfast News-Letter of 14th May 1931 records Shortt at a MCB sports day.

On 1st April 1937 Shortt joined Northern Bank at Head Office. His address is recorded as 266 Stranmillis Road, Belfast. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Windsor (1937 - Junior), Portadown (1939 - Relief), Windsor (1939 - Junior) and Head Office (1940).

Northern Bank, Portadown branch

Shortt applied to the bank and was given permission to volunteer and enlist for Active Service on 15th February 1939. He joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.

He was 'Called Up' on 30th December 1939 and is recorded on the bank staff record card as serving on an armed cruiser. In 1941 he was gazetted as a Temporary Paymaster Sub-Lieutenant (RNVR).

Shortt married Aileen Betha Leuria in Lifford, Co. Donegal in late 1943.

The 1946 Navy List records James as a Temporary Lieutenant.

Shortt resigned from the bank in 1946 and later took up a position as Secretary to the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital Management Committee 

The Northern Whig of 11th August 1955 carries this report mentioning James:

James Shortt died on 30th September 2001 in Lincoln where he was cremated. He and his wife had 4 children; Michael, Mark, Marianne and Bill.

A family member (presumably) has commented:

"Although James Shortt died in Lincoln, his ashes are scattered in Strabane. His wife Bertha Aileen died 27 April 2015 and her body donated to medical science at Queens University."