Neill, Sydney Kirk

Belfast Telegraph, 22nd February 1943
Courtesy of Nigel Henderson

Lt Col Sydney Kirk Neill OBE

was probably born around 1920 to Francis Seymour Neill and Matilda Millar Neill.

The 1911 Irish Census records two brothers: Francis Robert (8) and Joseph McFerran Neill (5) living in house 3, Chester Avenue, Templecorran, Whitehead (Tea buyer) with their parents. The house was known as 'Chesterfield'. A servant, Margaret Bell also live din the house.

Sydney probably joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1938/1939. He served in Head Office, 2 Waring Street, Belfast. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

Following the outbreak of war, Sydney Neill joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC). The London Gazette (1941) records a Captain (temporary Major) S K Neill with Service Number 107098.

He was 'Mentioned' (in Despatches) in December 1941.

The Belfast Telegraph dated 4th March 1941 reports the Chairman of the Whitehead District Council congratulating Capt S K Neill (RAOC) on his promotion to Major.

The following document records the action that led to a recommendation for an award. The OBE was eventually awarded.

The London Gazette (18th February 1943) records Major (Temp Lt Col) S K Neill as being appointed to be Additional Officer of the Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). See Update below and photo at top of page (Belfast Telegraph, 22nd February 1943, via Nigel Henderson).

Sydney Neill died on 3rd July 1956. Probate was granted on 23rd January 1957 to Nora Florence Neill.

Francis Robert Neill (brother) is recorded by Belfast City Council as being buried in Roselawn Cemetery. He was aged 67 when he died on 18th December 1969 and pre-deceased his wife, Evelyn Constance Kathleen Neill who died on 21st September 1991. Francis' address was Flat C, 33 Windsor Park, Belfast.


Update 14th April 2016

Can anyone help with this query received today.  Email me at gavinbamford@btinternet.com

Good afternoon,

I recently came across your website and found an entry for Lt Col S K Neill. ........  My father served under Col Neill in the Western Desert and at Tobruk. Dad was an Ammunition Examiner and obviously impressed Col Neill who mentioned him several times in the War Diaries for Tobruk and wrote a very complimentary Testimonial for him after he was invalided out of the Army. As I am now attempting to write an account of Dad’s military career, I am endeavouring to find sources of information and would like to find out if Col Neill kept a private Diary.

Update 31st August 2016

I received the following information from Dom Neill who is Lt. Col. Neill's grandson. He writes in relation to the commendation for the OBE:

“Lt.-Col. Neill, 8 B.A.D., Commanding 8 B.A.D. is also responsible for the protection of TURA Zone in 17 Area wherein lie the greater portion of the ammunition and technical reserves for the Army and R.A.F. in the Middle East.

He was called on to organise his various units into a defensive force against attack, sabotage and fire.

Col. Neill showed exceptional skill and devotion to duty in effecting these measures. On 25th July 1942 he displayed gallantry and leadership of a high order when an explosion occurred in a laboratory in an Ammunition Park. In spite of flying fragments of shell and constant exploding ammunition caused by a large fire he organised rescue and fire fighting parties with a complete disregard for his personal safety. By his efforts several men and much material were saved.”

signed 1st January 1943 by Lt. Gen. Robert Stone and Brigadier J. I. Chrystall, and others unknown.

Anderson, Paris Newton

Lieutenant Paris Newton Anderson

was born at West Derby, England on 13th January 1920 to A Newton Anderson and Mrs Anderson nee Costine.

Education was at Campbell College. The LennonWylie website reports:

2585. *Anderson, Paris Newton (D), b. 13th January, 1920, son of A. Newton Anderson (239), Gezina, Downshire Road, Cregagh, Belfast.  L.VI, July, 1937.  Shaftesbury House Tutorial College, 1937-38; Q.U.B.: 1947-54. 1940-47: Lieut. (S), R.N.V.R.  Assistant Secretary to the Queen's University of Belfast. Address: 42 Bristow Park, Upper Malone, Belfast. (M.q.)

Paris joined Northern Bank on 1st May 1939 at Head Office. His address was recorded as ‘Gezina’, 35 Downshire Road, Cregagh, Belfast.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Paris later joined the Royal Navy Executing Branch and was called up on 26th August 1940 attaining the ranks of Temporary Pay Sub Lieutenant (RNVR) and then a Paymaster Lieutenant (RNVR). He remained on the Navy List until at least 1960.

Paris married Miss D C Taylor (?) of Lisburn on 15th January 1945.

On 28th April 1947, he resumed duty from Active Service in Head Office. A transfer to Donegall Square on Relief duty followed. 

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

Paris Anderson resigned in 1947 to become the Assistant Secretary, Queen’s University, Belfast.

He died aged 80 on 23rd June 2000 and was cremated at Kent, England.

An election website records the following family members:

Commander Albert Wesley Anderson, son of Robert Newton Anderson (see below). Born in Londonderry, 23rd July 1907. Educated at Foyle College, Rydal School, and Nottingham University. Company Director. Commander in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. Member of Londonderry City Council until 1969. Lord Mayor of Londonderry (and ex officio Member of the Senate) from 1963 to 1968. An Ulster Unionist member.  Member for City of Londonderry from the byelection of 16th May 1968 until the prorogation of the Parliament in 1972. Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs from 26th October 1971 until 1972. Died 1981.

Rt. Hon. Sir Robert Newton Anderson, director of a hosiery manufacturer. Born 8th December 1871. Educated privately, and at Foyle College. Member of Londonderry City Council. Lord Mayor of Londonderry from 1915 to 1919. Deputy Lieutenant for County Londonderry. Member of the Irish Convention from 1917 to 1918. KBE 1918. Member of Derry Bridge Commissioners. An Ulster Unionist member. Sat for Londonderry from the 1921 general election until the 1929 general
election, when he retired. PC (NI) 1927. Died 1937.

Blair, Thomas James

Flight Sergeant Thomas James Blair

was born at Ballylutagh, Coleraine on 29th December 1886 to John Blair, Farmer and Martha Blair nee Barr. The Northern Bank staff ledger records his birth as 17th November 1886.  

In 1901 Thomas (14) was living in house 7, Ballyintagh, Drumcroon, Co. Londonderry with his parents and brother, Robert (9). An aunt, Jane Blair is also living in the house.

Thomas joined Northern Bank on 15th January 1903 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Bray (1903 - Junior), Londonderry (1906 - Junior), Head Office (1909), Ballymena (1910 - Accountant), Dungloe (1912 - Cashier) and Head Office (1912 - Accountants Room).  

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

By 1911, Thomas is boarding with the White family (sisters Anne & Grace) in house 9, Clonavon Terrace, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. His occupation is recorded as an Accountant, Northern Bank.

Thomas (aged 29) was based in Head office when he enlisted on (attested) 9th September 1915 as an Airman (2) in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) with Service Number 8537. The Northern Bank staff record card records the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).

Promotion to Airman (1), Corporal, Acting Sergeant, Sergeant and Sergeant Clerk followed.

RAF Service Record - T J Blair

On 1st July 1916 Thomas married Miss Ida F Hunter, Clifton Drive, Belfast at Farnham, Surrey, England. Their first child, Ronald Higginbotham Blair was born on 1st October 1918.

Thomas served with Coastal Defence; Defence of London; British Expeditionary Force and was later promoted to Flight Sergeant. He saw action at Messines 1917 and Ypres 1917.  

He was demobilised 17th February 1919 to the Class Z Reserve and was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. His address on discharge was recorded as 31 Clifton Drive, Belfast.

Following demobilisation, Blair re-joined the Northern Bank on 10th February 1919 when he was transferred to Shaftesbury Square as its Accountant.

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square, Belfast branch

In 1921 he was transferred to Strokestown as Manager and served there during the period of the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. 

The Belfast News-Letter of 21st December 1927 reported the birth at the Somerset Nursing Home on 15th December 1927 of a a son to Mr & Mrs T J Blair, Northern Bank, Strokestown.

The Roscommon Messenger of 12th May 1928 reported on his transfer from Strokestown to Portadown:

More transfers followed with Portadown (1928 - Manager), Newry (1937 - Manager) and Londonderry (1941 - Manager). He is also recorded as applying for Dromore branch in 1923.  

Northern Bank, Portadown branch (white 3 story & attic building)

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Thomas Blair retired on 6th November 1946 and died on 25th June 1951 aged 64.