MacIlwaine, Frederick McDonnell

Sergeant Frederick McDonnell MacIlwaine

MacIlwaine was born at Queensland, Australia on 24th June 1883 to Edward Nangle MacIlwaine and Julia Alura Gaussen MacIlwaine.

Edward (father) died on 9th February 1893 at 25 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast aged 43.

MacIlwaine joined the Belfast Banking Company on 1st November 1900 and is recorded as working in East End, South End and Lisburn branches. His mother and later Robert Inkerman Calwell of Scottish Temperance Buildings, Belfast and Arthur Douglas MacIlwaine of 1 Wellington Place, Belfast signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet (1)

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet (2)

Belfast Bank, East End branch (Albertbridge Road)

Belfast Bank, Lisburn branch

In 1901 MacIlwaine (17) is living in house 37, Eglantine Avenue, Belfast with his parents and 2 siblings; Julian M (12) and Julia I J (9). A servant, Helena M M Mooney is also present in the house. Frederick's occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

In 1911 the family are living in house 69, Eglantine Avenue, Belfast. Mother and 4 children; Edward Moore (25), Alex Gillilan Johnston (24), John Mackey (22) and Julia Thomson Jane (22). A servant, Eliza Jane F J Murphy is also present in the house.

MacIlwaine is living in house [cannot be traced].

In 1914, MacIlwaine volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Engineers with Service Number 28968 and later attained the rank of Sergeant. He served as a despatch rider. His first theatre of war was from 15th October 1914.

F McD MacIlwaine - Medal Index Card

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records MacIlwaine as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address as 'Houghton'. He is recorded as working in Rathmines branch.

Belfast Bank, Rathmines branch

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, MacIlwaine returned to work eventually ending up in the Accountants Department.

The Belfast News Letter of 3rd May 1915 below records detail of the family of 4 brothers serving in the army:

1. Lt J M MacIlwaine, Royal Irish Rifles - formerly worked for Northern Bank before moving to his cousin's stockbroker firm.
   
2. Capt E MacIlwaine, Royal Irish Fusiliers
   
3. Lt A G MacIlwaine, Royal Army Medical Corps
   
4. Cpl F McD MacIlwaine, Royal Engineers
   
   

MacIlwaine was discharged from the army on 12th February 1919 and due to his injuries (injured left leg), a pension of 13/- per week was granted to him.

F McD MacIlwaine - Pension Record Card

MacIlwaine was awarded the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

F McD MacIlwaine - Medal Roll

On 12th January 1921, MacIlwaine married Miss Aileen Featherstonehaugh Moore at Armagh.

The Lisburn Standard of 13th December 1935 reports F D MacIlwaine as the Honorary Treasurer of the Poppy Appeal.

His wife, Aileen died on 5th April 1940 aged 41.

Retirement from the bank came on 1st December 1944.

MacIlwaine died on 9th March 1950. The PRONI Wills database records "MacIlwaine Frederick McDonnell of 25 Bawnmore Road Belfast retired bank manager died 9 March 1950 Probate Belfast 17 July to Belfast Bank Executor and Trustee Company Limited. Effects £2023 19s. 3d."

He is buried in the family plot of William MacIlwaine (died 1885) at Belfast City Cemetery, plot H450 with his wife (died 1940).