Lieutenant William Leonard Fryar
Fryar was born at Scarva Street, Banbridge on 12th June 1894 to Samuel Fryar, Solicitor and Letitia Elizabeth Fryar previously Card nee Sterling. They had married on 6th September 1893 at Ballynafeigh Church of Ireland, Belfast. Letitia was a widow of Thomas Card who died on 15th January 1892. Letitia and Thomas Card had married on 19th November 1878 at Banbridge Presbyterian Church.
Fryar was discharged from the Royal Navy on 30th April 1915 to take up a commission in the army.
In 1901 Fryar (6) was living in house 86, Scarva Street, Banbridge with his parents, his sister, Olive Mary (4) and a step-sister, Bessie Greer Card (21). A servant, Sarah Jennings also lived in the property.
By 1911 the property was known as house 65, Scarva Street, Banbridge. Fryar was living there with his parents and sister, Olive. A servant, Annie Elizabeth Browne was also present in the property.
On 23rd August 1911, Fryar joined Northern Bank in Head Office.
Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast
Transfers followed to Castlewellan (1913 - Junior), Head Office (1913 - Junior) and Clones (1914 - Junior).
Northern Bank, Castlewellan branch
Northern Bank, Clones branch
Whilst based in Clones branch, on 31st December 1914, aged 21, Fryar volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy with Service Number F2900.
W L Fryar - Royal Navy Record Card
He was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 17th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles, transferred into the Machine-Gun Corps, and eventually being promoted to Lieutenant. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 31st August 1916.
W L Fryar - Medal Index Card
The Belfast News Letter of 30th October 1916 reports:
The Northern Banking Company 1924 Centenary Volume describes him as a Petty Officer.
Further action was seen in the Somme 1916, Ypres 1917 and Cambrai 1917 before being demobilised in January 1919. Fryar was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
On 17th November 1918, Fryar married Miss Norah Evelyn Elsie Taylor who also worked in Royal Avenue branch. They had 3 children, one surviving and living in Switzerland and well into his 80's.
Following demobilisation, he re-joined the Northern Bank at Head Office on 17th February 1919. He was transferred to Royal Avenue (Ledgers & Teller) in the same year, Donegall Square (1927 - Paying Teller) and Dungloe (1928 - Manager).
Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch
On 26th March 1922, Seapatrick Parish Church honoured the dead of the Great War with the dedication of a stained glass window. Around 200 ex-servicemen paraded with Lieutenant W L Fryar amongst other officers.
Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch
Northern Bank, Dungloe branch
Later transfers were to Bangor (1933 - Manager) and Omagh (1941 - Manager).
Northern Bank, Bangor branch
The Belfast News-Letter of 20th February 1934 reports the birth of a son to Nora, wife of W L Fryar, Northern Bank.
Northern Bank, Omagh branch
The Northern Whig of 20th June 1945 reported the engagement of Leading Wren Patricia Fryar, Northern Bank, Omagh to Flight Lieutenant Peter William Fels, RNZAF with the marriage taking place shortly. The marriage took place on 2nd July 1945 and was reported in several newspapers.
The Northern Whig of 8th November 1945 reported the engagement of Miss Elizabeth Fryar, American Red Cross to Major C A Lord MC, 5th Battalion, The Sherwood Forresters.
The Campbell College Register of Lennon Wylie records Fryar, John Leonard Hamilton (C), b. 17th February, 1934, son of W. L. Fryar, Northern Bank House, Omagh. U.VI, July, 1951. Scholar. Modern Languages Sizar, T.C.D., 1951. Address: Northern Bank House, Omagh, Co. Tyrone. [LennonWylie]
The Northern Whig of 5th June 1953 reported that Mrs Nora Fryar was a recipient of the Coronation Medal.
Fryar retired on pension on 30th April 1956.
William Fryar, Shimna Road, Newcastle died on 14th August 1961 at Downe Hospital, Downpatrick. Probate was granted to Northern bank.
On 28/11/2012, Matt Hayes wrote on my faceBook account:
ReplyDeleteDear Gavin,
By chance my mother discovered your post: http://northernbankwarmemorials.blogspot.co.nz/2012_11_08_archive.html
My Great Grandfather was William L. Fryar. I knew nothing of him until I read the above post, although I had met "Miss Taylor" or "Great Granny Fryar" when I was very young. Great job.
Are you aware of any other avenues I could pursue to find out more about him, ie. is it possible to obtain copies of his war record?
For your information he had three children, one moved to New York, one to New Zealand, and the other is in Switzerland (currently the only surviving child – now well into his 80s).
Cheers,
Matt