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Tuesday 31 May 2022

Hunter, William Mortimer


2nd Lieutenant William Mortimer Hunter

was born at Barnhill, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal on 20th October 1890 to John Hunter, farmer and Margaret Elizabeth Hunter nee McLean. A twin daughter, Wilhelmina was born 10 minutes after William. They had married on 27th January 1879 at the residence of Thomas McLean, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal.

In 1901 William was living in house 11, Glebe, Castlewray, Co. Donegal with his parents and 6 siblings; Margaret (18), Elizabeth (16), Wilhelmina (10), Thomas (8), Mary (5) and James (5). 3 servants, Mary Ann McGinley, Samuel McNutt and John Hegarty are also present in the house.

By 1911, the family are still living at that address. The parents are present and the following children, Margaret, Elizabeth, Jack, Mina, Tom, Mary and Jim. There are 3 servants too, Henry Deeming, Susannah McDaid and James Diver. William is not present in the family home.

William would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1907 / 1908 serving in Ballyshannon branch.


Belfast Bank, Ballyshannon branch

In 1911 he is boarding with the McQuade family in house 1, Sedan Terrace, Enniskillen. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. There is another bank clerk, Gerald K M K Lanie also boarding in the property.

William volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with Service Number 12/29269.  Later he was promoted to Lance Corporal and then 2nd Lieutenant.  His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 2nd May 1917.
William was serving with 4th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant when he was killed in action on 29th June 1917 aged 26. 

On 6th July 1917 the News Letter reported his death in its 'Ulster and the War' column.


Ulster and the War column - courtesy of Nigel Henderson, Great War Newspapers

The bank memorial picture above states he was serving with the Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was Killed in Action. His Medal Index Card confirms his service with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.


Wm M Hunter - Medal Index Card 

William was awarded the British War medal and the British Victory Medal.

He is buried in the Bard Cottage Cemetery, leper West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Administration of the Estate of William M Hunter was granted at Londonderry to Margaret E Hunter, widow (his mother). Hunter's effects were £46 2s 6d.


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