MacGregor, Robert Peddle

[Newspaper cutting courtesy of Great War Ulster Newspaper Archive]

Acting Captain Robert Peddle MacGregor MC

was born at Ann Street, Greenock, Scotland on 1st March 1884 to Gregor Guthrie MacGregor, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist and Helen Wright MacGregor nee ??. Their surname is recorded as McGregor. They were married in Greenock on 26th January 1882.

In 1901 Robert (17) was living in 38 South Street, Greenock with his parents and 7 siblings; Alice W (16), Donald (13), Grace P (11), Helen C (8), Barbara P (6) Catherine (4) and Gregor Guthrie (1). Robert's occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. Their surname is recorded as McGregor.

On 7th September 1903, Robert joined Northern Bank at Head Office giving his address as the Post Office, Lisburn.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Gregor Guthrie MacGregor, 45, died at Railway Street, Lisburn on 24th April 1905.

In 1911, Robert is living in house 25, Antrim Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim with his widowed mother Helen, 7 siblings and a visitor and a visitor, Agnes Wilson.  Their surname is recorded as McGregor. Robert's occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

He was a member of Lisnagarvey Hockey Club.

Transfers followed to Head Office (1913 - Relief) and Donegall Square (1913 - Ledgers).

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

Robert, aged 31, entered the Queen's University Officer Training Corps (OTC) and from there, volunteered and enlisted into the 14th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles on 6th March 1915 with Service Number 14/18292. He later served with both the 19th Bn. and the 9th Bn. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 5th October 1915.

R P MacGregor - Medal Index Card

Robert was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, then to Lieutenant in June 1916 and to Acting Captain in October 1916.

The Belfast News Letter of 13th November 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 27th November 1916 reports:

Robert saw action at Messines on 7th June 1917.

The Belfast News Letter of 11th June 1917 reports:

Robert married a Miss Florence Irene Thompson on 26th March 1919 at The Methodist Centenary Church, Dublin.

Robert was injured and suffered a gunshot wound to the neck, shoulder and left lung.  MacGregor was invalided out in April 1919.  The Belfast News Letter of 5th April 1919 reports:



The London Gazette of 1st April 1919 reports McGregor (sp) relinquishing his commission on grounds of ill-health caused by wounds, 4th April 1919 and retains the rank of Lieutenant.

In addition to the Military Cross (MC), Robert was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Following demobilisation, Robert obtained a position in the Ministry of Labour on 1st April 1919.

On 1st May 1920, he re-joined the Bank in the Coupon Department. Transfers followed with Royal Avenue (1921 - Sub-Manager), Head Office (1927), Shaftesbury Square (1929 - Manager) and Head Office (1934 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch

Robert was personally given a copy of E D Hill's 1925 Centenary volume of Northern Banking Company Limited.

Northern Bank Centenary Volume 1824 to 1924

The Belfast Telegraph of 1st April 1944 reported on the funeral to Lisburn Cemetery of Mr Gregor G MacGregor, brother of Robert, who had died in Lisburn a few days previously.

The Belfast Telegraph of 20th January 1945 reports on the 'standing-down dinner' of the Ulster Home Guard. Capt R P MacGregor MC (O.C. of 'B' Company).

On 1st February 1945 he was appointed as a Director of Northern Bank.

The Northern Whig of 21st May 1947 published a photograph of him at a British Legion presentation:

He retired from the bank on 29th June 1957.

The Belfast Telegraph of 26th August 1959 reported on the wedding of their son, Robert Malcolm Duffield MacGregor at McCracken Memorial Church, Belfast.

Here is his signature on a Northern Bank, Connswater branch 'Red Cross' account cheque from 1963:

[Image courtesy of an eBay advertisement]

Robert MacGregor died circa 1970/71.

He is also remembered on a memorial in Railway Street Presbyterian Church. Also remembered is his brother Cadet G G MacGregor (known as Gregor).