MacIlwaine, Julian Mackay

Photo courtesy of the Great War Ulster Newspaper Archive

Lieutenant Julian Mackay MacIlwaine

MacIlwaine was a Northern Bank official between the years of 1906 to 1911 and although he is not recorded on the Northern Bank War Memorial / Roll of Honour, he qualifies as a former official who served in the Great War.

MacIlwaine was born at Queensland, Australia in 1889 to Edward Nangle MacIlwaine and Julia Alura Gaussen MacIlwaine.

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

In 1901, MacIlwaine (12) is living in house 37, Eglantine Avenue, Belfast with his mother and 2 siblings; Frederick (17) and Julia I J (9). A servant, Helena M M Mooney is also present in the house. 

It is possible that MacIlwaine joined the Northern Bank around 1906/1907 when he was 17 or 18.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

MacIlwaine resigned from the Northern Bank prior to 1911 and joined his cousins stock-brokers firm.

In 1911 MacIlwaine is living in house 69, Eglantine Avenue, Belfast with his mother and 3 siblings; Edward Moore (25), Alex Gillilan Johnston (24) and Julia Thomasina Jane (22). A servant, Eliza Jane F J Murphy is also present in the house. His name has been transcribed as John with his occupation recorded as a Stock-brokers Apprentice.

By this time, MacIlwaine's brother Frederick is working for the Belfast Bank. His address cannot be traced.

Following his education at the Royal Belfast Academical Institute (RBAI - Inst), MacIlwaine volunteered and enlisted into the 5th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. He is recorded in the November 1914 Army List as a 2nd Lieutenant. His first theatre of war is recorded as France prior to 7th May 1915.

J M MacIlwaine - Medal Index Card

MacIlwaine was reported as 'shot by a sniper' and injured on 26th April 1915 as reported in the Belfast News Letter of 3rd May 1915. He was transferred to a clearing hospital.

The article 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 later attached to the 12th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps from the Royal Irish Rifles .

Captain Julian M MacIlwaine was killed in action on 22nd March 1918.

MacIlwaine was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

J M MacIlwaine - Medal Roll 1

J M MacIlwaine - Medal Roll 2

He is remembered at the Arras Flying Services Memorial, Arras, Department du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

The army Register of Soldiers' Effects records:

His address as recorded on the Scottish probate document was 67 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast. Probate was granted to Julia Thomasina Jane MacIlwaine, sister.

He is remembered on Irelands WW1 Casualties:

MacIlwaine is also remembered on the RBAI (INST) 1914-18 War Memorial:

Photograph courtesy of LennonWylie