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Thursday 17 March 2022

Knox, Robert Kyle (Junior)


Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kyle Knox (Junior) MC OBE
was born at 74 Antrim Road, Belfast on 19th July 1898 to Sam Wright Knox, Accountant and Grace Lucy Knox nee O'Brien. They had married on 9th September 1897 at Fahan Upper, Co. Donegal with his occupation recorded as a Banker.

In 1901, Robert (2) is living in house 11, Clifton Street, Belfast with his parents and sister, Dorothy Ann (0). The Head of Family of the house is Robert's uncle, Brian O'Brien. A visitor, Mary McCoach and 2 servants, Ellen Ken and Isabella Bond are also present.

By 1911, Robert is boarding in a school at Ulverton Road, Dalkey, Co. Dublin with a brother, William O'Brien Knox (9). The rest of his family are now living in house 9, Somerton Road, Belfast.

In 1901 and 1911, there is an elderly Robert Kyle Knox (63 in 1901 and recorded as a Retired Bank Director) living in 1 College Gardens, Belfast.  R K Knox (Senior) is a former Chairman of Northern Bank. 

On 15th October 1914, Robert joined Northern Bank at Head Office with his address record as Glenburn, Dunmurry.   


Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

In the same month he volunteered and enlisted into the 10th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers as a Private with Service Number 16/959. His first theatre of war is not recorded but started on 2nd October 1915.


R K Knox - Medal Index Card

Following promotions through the ranks, he was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Irish Rifles. He saw action at the Somme 1916, Cambrai 1917, St. Quentin 1918 and Ypres 1918. On 28th March 1918, he was injured and suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg. He also narrowly escaped being taken prisoner in the late fighting.  

The Belfast News Letter of 18th January 1918 reports:


The Belfast News Letter of 4th April 1918 reports:


The Belfast News Letter of 10th July 1918 reports:


Demobilisation came in February 1919. In addition to the Military Cross (MC),  he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.


L/Sgt R K Knox - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation, Robert re-joined the Northern Bank at Lisburn on 24th March 1919 as a ‘junior’. 


Northern Bank, Lisburn branch

 A transfer in May 1919 took him to Ball’s Branch until 11th January 1922 when he resigned. 


Ball's branch, Dublin

It is probable that he volunteered for further service at the start of WWII as the London Gazette records a 2nd Lieutenant R K Knox MC (with Service Number 146469) serving with the Intelligence Corps in 1940. In 1943, he was recorded as a Major (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel).  

He was also awarded the OBE at some time between 1943 and 1946. 

On 17th October 1946, Knox was conferred with the USA military decoration, ‘Legion of Merit, Degree of Officer’ in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies. The Legion of Merit is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements. 


Military Cross (MC)


 Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
[the military version of the ribbon has an additional white vertical line]


Legion of Merit (Officer)

The Belfast Telegraph of 24th May 1965 reports the death of Lt Col R K Knox, aged 66 at Dublin.


Probate was granted to Richard Pigot and Jeremy Hughes:


McCrum, Robert Cowan


Lieutenant Robert Cowan McCrum
was born at Kilgreel, Templepatrick, Co. Antrim on 31st May 1892 to Samuel McCrum, Farmer and Elizabeth McCrum nee Birkmyre. They had married on 21st June 1874 at Templepatrick Presbyterian Church.
Samuel McCrum died on 11th February 1897 at Kilgreel.
In 1901 Robert (8) was living in house 8, Kilgreel, Craigarogan, Antrim with his mother and 6 siblings; William (25), Samuel (24), Mary (21), James (17), Agnes (15) and Lizzie (13). 
Robert joined Northern Bank on 2nd May 1910 at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street
Transfers followed with Keady (1910 - Junior), Ramelton (1911 - Junior) and Londonderry (1912 - Cash Book).


Northern Bank, Keady branch


Northern Bank, Ramelton branch

  
In 1911 Robert was boarding with the Watson family (of 8) in house 2, Crossmore, Co. Armagh.  

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch
Whilst based in Londonderry, Robert aged 23, volunteered and enlisted on 15th December 1915 into the Cadet Company, 19th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles as a Private with Service Number 6843. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from October 1915.


R C McCrum - Medal Index Card

He was later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and served in the 19th, 10th and 1st battalions. The Northern Bank 1924 Centenary book records Robert's service as Messines 1917, Ypres 1917, St. Quentin 1918 and the Allied Advance 1918. 

Robert was injured once with a gunshot wound. As a result of his injury a Pension Record card was opened and the injury was recorded as a gunshot wound to his right arm. The pension started on 11th July 1917, 1 day after he was discharged.

R C McCrum - Pension Record Card

The Belfast News Letter of 27th August 1917 reports:
He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

R C McCrum - Medal Roll 1


R C McCrum - Medal Roll 2

The bank Staff Record card states that Robert re-joined the bank in February 1919 at Londonderry branch (cashier, Accountant & Sub-Manager). It is probable that he was recuperating from his injuries from mid 1917 to early 1919.
On 25 October 1921, a Temporary Lieutenant R C McCrum was gazetted and retained the rank of Lieutenant in the Royal Ulster Rifles. 
On 20th July 1922 Robert married a Miss Wightman at Londonderry.
Transfers followed to Omagh (1932 - Manager), Kilrea (1941 - Manager) and Connswater (1948 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Omagh branch


Northern Bank, Kilrea branch

Robert McCrum retired on pension on 30th June 1955 and died on 15th January 1969. He is buried in the Agherton Cemetery, Portstewart.

Alan McCrum, a descendent of R C McCrum attended the 2000 re-dedication ceremony of the Rolls of Honour.

Quail, Hugh Herbert Ormsby


2nd Lieutenant Hugh Herbert Ormsby Quail
was born at Arthur Street, Ballina on 3rd March 1897 to Hugh Alexander Quail, Bank Clerk and Josephine Quail nee Ormsby. They had married on 17th September 1891 at Ballina Roman Catholic Chapel.

In 1901 Hugh (4) was living in house 15, Clontivrin, Clonkeelan, Co. Fermanagh. with his parents and 2 siblings; David (6) and Henry (2). A servant, Mary Reilly was also resident in the property. The father is recorded as a Bank Cashier (Bank of Ireland - see newspaper clipping below).   

By 1911 Hugh was living in house 47.2 High Street, Portadown, Co. Armagh with his parents and brothers. His father is described this time as a Bank Official. The property is the Bank of Ireland 'Bank House'.


Bank of Ireland 'Bank House' and branch, Portadown

On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, a Hugh Quail signed the Ulster Covenant at Armagh giving his address as 4 Barrack Street, Armagh.

Hugh (17) may have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1914 working in Markets branch. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and gave his address as Bank of Ireland House, Belturbet. 


Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet


Belfast Bank, Markets branch (Victoria Street)

Hugh served with the 10th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Hugh as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address 'in France'.

The Belfast News Letter of 15th August 1917 reports on his wounding


It is not known if Hugh re-joined the bank following his demobilisation.

Hugh sailed from Belfast on 24th July 1926 for Quebec and Montreal, Canada on the ship 'Regina'.


Hugh Quail died in Stratford, Ontario, Canada on 28th August 1941 after living there for a period of 17 years (circa 1924). His occupation is recorded as a Department Foreman, Furniture Worker.


He is buried in the Avondale Cemetery, Stratford: