Officer Cadet William Theodore Lynas
was born at 56 Deramore Avenue, Belfast on 3rd February 1894 to William Henry Lynas, Lithographer and Eva Lynas nee McGee (or McGhee). They had married on 30th April 1891 at University Road Methodist Church.In 1901 William (7) lived in house 216, Ravenhill Road, Ormeau Ward, Belfast with his parents and 3 siblings; Frances Eva (8), Madeline Beatrice (5) and Norman Edward (1).
By 1911 the whole family had moved to house 3, Sandhurst Road, Cromac Ward, Belfast. William is described as a scholar.
On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, (Wm T) Lynas' parents signed the Ulster Covenant and Women's Declaration at City Hall, Belfast and All Saints School, Cromac, Belfast each giving their address as 6 Sandhurst Road, Belfast. Two sisters Beatrice and Franzi also signed the Women's Declaration.
Lynas would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1912/13. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee. William is recorded as working in Armagh and Londonderry branches.
Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet
Belfast Bank, Armagh branch
Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch
William served as an Officer Cadet with the Officer Training Corps (OTC). There is no further information about his military career.
William married Emily Lyttle on 2nd June 1920 at Templecarne Parish Church, Co. Donegal. His address was recorded as 3 Park Avenue, Londonderry.
The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Winter 1984)’ contains a photograph of Lynas in Londonderry branch in the 1930’s.
Eva Lynas (mother) died aged 70 at Belfast Mental Hospital on 4th October 1936 and is buried in Dundonald Cemetery.
William was in Londonderry branch when he left the Bank in 1940.
Wm T Lynas, 1930, Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch
Staff, 1930, Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch
William was in Londonderry branch when he left the Bank in 1940.
The Derry Journal of 22nd March 1940 carried an advertisement from Messrs Bond Brothers, Auctioneers for a W T Lynas auctioning 'superior household furniture and effects' including a 'grand piano' from 1 West End Park, Derry.
The Londonderry Sentinel of 23rd March 1940 expanded on the auction items for W T Lynas who 'is leaving the city':
William died aged 47 at 58 Shandon Park, Belfast on 11th August 1941 and is buried in Dundonald Cemetery. On 14th August 1941, the Belfast News-Letter carried the following death notice that mentioned his widow Emily Lynas.
William Henry (father) died aged 85 on a 'bus at corner of Holland Drive & Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast' on 1st January 1951 and is buried with his wife Eva in Dundonald Cemetery. 58 Shandon Park was his last residence. The Belfast Telegraph published an obituary for William H Lynas. Within it were mentioned Mr H E McDowell (son-in-law) and Mr H D Simpson (grandson) indicating the two sisters Frances Eva and Madeline Beatrice married either Mr McDowell or Mr Simpson.
William Henry (father) died aged 85 on a 'bus at corner of Holland Drive & Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast' on 1st January 1951 and is buried with his wife Eva in Dundonald Cemetery. 58 Shandon Park was his last residence. The Belfast Telegraph published an obituary for William H Lynas. Within it were mentioned Mr H E McDowell (son-in-law) and Mr H D Simpson (grandson) indicating the two sisters Frances Eva and Madeline Beatrice married either Mr McDowell or Mr Simpson.
The PRONI wills database reports "Lynas William Henry of 58 Shandon Park Belfast lithographic artist died 1 January 1951 in a public motor vehicle at Belfast Probate Belfast 17 August to Madelaine Beatrice Simpson married woman. Effects £1219 6s. 6d."
Norman died aged 60 at 'Garnesh', Beechill Avenue, Belfast on 31st December 1960 and is buried with his brother William in Dundonald Cemetery.
Norman died aged 60 at 'Garnesh', Beechill Avenue, Belfast on 31st December 1960 and is buried with his brother William in Dundonald Cemetery.
