Crozier, Samuel Wilfred

Cadet Samuel Wilfred Crozier

was born at Castleblayney on 22nd April 1899 to Thomas Crozier, Merchant and Mary Emma Crozier nee Boyd. They were married on 2nd May 1885 at 2nd Keady Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Samuel (1) lived in house 64, Muckno or Noble Street, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan with his parents and 5 siblings; L M E (14), A A (13), James H (11), Thomas Edwin (9) and William Boyd (7). 2 servants also lived in the property, Elizabeth Luke and Annie Keenan.

Samuel's father, Thomas Crozier (57) died on 3rd November 1910 at the Hope Arms Hotel, Main Street, Castleblayney.

In 1911, Samuel is living in house 1, Drumillard, Little West Street, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan with his mother and 3 siblings; L M Elizabeth (24), James Herbert (21) and William Boyd (16). There are 4 servants living and 1 person boarding in the property; Thomas McAree (28), Anne E Keenan (28), Mary Donegan (18), Kate Coogan (19) and boarding, John Oliver McElroy (28).

Samuel would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1917. His Bankers Guarantee was signed by Mrs Mary Emma Crozier, Hope Arms Hotel, Main Street, Castleblayney (see below).

S W Crozier, Bankers Guarantee Ledger

Samuel is recorded as working in Antrim branch.

Belfast Bank, Antrim branch

On 5th June 1918 Samuel volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force with Service Number 178237. 

S W Crozier - RAF Service Record - front

S W Crozier - RAF Service Record - back

His trade is recorded as a 'learner pilot' and his rank as a 'Flying Cadet'. 

A further RAF Record card was found for Samuel in the National Archives giving further RAF career information. 

S W Crozier - RAF Service Record - front - via National Archives

S W Crozier - RAF Service Record - back - via National Archives

Samuel was demobilised on 18th January 1919 and transferred into the RAF Reserve - Class 'G'. 

The National Archives copy document above has an address annotated on it: 264 Winchester Street, Deer Lodge, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada with a date of 11th September 1940.

It would appear that Samuel applied for and took up a position with the Royal Bank of Canada and had his Atlantic crossing paid for by the bank.

S W Crozier - Canada Arrivals Card

Samuel married Jean Matheson Montgomery on 22nd March 1930 at Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Samuel and Jean arrived in Liverpool on the Cunard liner 'RMS Saxonia' for a 3 week holiday on  29th July 1955.

S W Crozier - Liverpool arrival

An Ancestry family tree records his death as 12th September 1981.

Hope Arms Hotel, Main Street, Castleblayney. More at this link.

Alexander, James Harold

Lance Corporal James Harold Alexander

was born at Listooder, Saintfield, Co. Down on 12th June 1886 to Thomas Alexander, Milling & Presbyterian Minister and Martha Alexander nee Godfrey. They had married on 19th July 1877 at May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

In 1901 James (14) was living in house 31, Listooder, Kilmore with his parents and 3 siblings; Florence (8), Elsie (18) and William G (12).

The 'Belfast News-Letter' of 15th November 1902 reports in an advertisement for Skerries Academy, Royal Avenue, Belfast that James H Alexander passed his Belfast Banking Company entrance examination in July 1902.

J H Alexander - Examination Success

His Bankers Guarantee was signed by Samuel Alexander, Wellington Street, Ballymena and then James Alexander, Church Street, Ballymena.

J H Alexander, Bankers Guarantee Ledger page

He is recorded as working in Dungannon branch.

Belfast Banking Company, Dungannon branch

In 1911, James is living in house 15 Listooder with his parents and brother, William G. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. 

Around 1915 James volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse with Service Number 1281. He transferred to the Tank Corps and was allocated Service Number 305502. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 2nd May 1915.

J H Alexander - Medal Index Card

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