Hill, Adam Cyril Darley

2nd Lieutenant Adam Cyril Darley Hill

Hill was born in Northern Bank House, Grafton Street, Dublin on 5th December 1898 to Edwin Darley Hill and Deborah Hill nee Overend. They had married on 5th March 1891 at Bangor Parish Church, Bangor, Co. Down.

On 11th October 1915, Hill joined Northern Bank at Falls branch. His address is recorded as Deramore Drive, Belfast.

Northern Bank, Falls branch

On 2nd December 1915, Hill volunteered and enlisted into the 19th Bn. (Cadet Company), Royal Irish Rifles as a Private. 

A C D Hill - Medal Index Card

On promotion to 2nd Lieutenant, he was posted to the 4th Bn. (SR) Royal Irish Rifles.

The Belfast News Letter of 9th September 1916 reports:

The Belfast News letter of 11th September 1916 reports:

Hill was attached to the 7th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and fought in battles at Wytschaete, Messines (1917) and Ypres (1917) before being reported as missing on 16th August 1917 aged 19.

The Belfast News Letter of 27th August 1917 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 5th December 1917 reports:

Hill was awarded the Parchment Certificate of the 16th (Irish) Division, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. He is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Cemetery and also on the Memorial in St. Columba’s College Chapel, Whitechurch, Dublin.

A brass memorial plaque to Hill is also installed in St Thomas' Church of Ireland, Eglantine Avenue, Belfast.

[Courtesy of Nigel Henderson, Researcher, History Hub Ulster]

Adam Hill is also commemorated in St Nicholas Parish Church, Carrickfergus.  The following newspaper cutting and photographs are of an 'oak lectern' presented to the church by E D Hill and Mrs Hill.

[Courtesy of Nigel Henderson, Researcher, History Hub Ulster]

Adam Hill is also commemorated on the family grave.

[Courtesy of Nigel Henderson, Researcher, History Hub Ulster]

The CWGC headstone for A C D Hill at Tyne Cot Cemetery

Church Roll of Honour

Also see Arthur F D Hill (those who applied for service) for further information.

Pattenden, William

Sergeant William Archibald Pattenden

Pattenden was born in October 1886 in Flimwell, Tunbridge, Kent, England to Horace Pattenden and his wife (unknown name). William had 2 older brothers, George and Frank. 

In September 1906, following his education, Pattenden volunteered and enlisted in the Royal Sussex Regiment at Chichester, England. On his enlistment form, his next of kin is recorded as his father and the 2 elder brothers. Their address is recorded as East Street, Hambleden, Kent, England.

He was given the Service Number of 8527.

Pattenden is described as being 5 foot 6 inches tall and weighing 141 lbs (10st 1lb) with a scar over his left eye. He has dark brown hair, brown eyes and a fresh complexion.

His military career started off at the Depot, Royal Sussex Regiment. In 1907 he was posted to the 2nd Battalion. Later that year he was posted to the 1st Battalion.

Between October 1907 and December 1913 Pattenden was serving in India (Ambular, Rawalpindi, Gharial and Peshawar).

The 1911 English Census records a 24 year old L/Cpl William Archibald Pattenden of the 1st Royal Sussex Regiment.

He transferred to the Army Reserve in December 1913.

According to the Army 'Statement of Services, Pattenden was formally discharged from the Army Reserve on 30th September 1914.

Over the years in service, his army medical form record him as suffering from tonsillitis, having an abrasion on his left arm, having an abscess. In 1913 at Rawalpindi, India he was vaccinated as a result of having 'vesicles'. On his transfer to the Army Reserve, he was found to have a hernia.

Sometime after 1913 he moved to Belfast and joined the Northern Banking Company as a Head Office Porter and Caretaker. The newspaper notice below records him as being married and living in 13 Third Avenue, Belfast.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

The 1911 Irish Census records a 28 year old Gertrude Pattenden [*] residing in house 9, Norwood Street, Sandy Row, Belfast. No other Pattenden's are recorded in that census.

War was declared at 11:00 pm on 4th August 1914 and as a Reservist, Pattenden was immediately recalled to the 2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment.

The battalion immediately went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force arriving on 12th September 1914.

He was the first Northern Bank official to take part in the Great War.

The Northern Bank Centenary volume records Pattenden as having been reported missing presumed killed in August 1914.

The War Office Medal Index Card states Private Pattenden (Service Number 7711) as being as being Killed in Action at Ypres on 31st October 1914. This is confirmed in the 'Ireland's Memorial Records' book (recorded as a Sergeant).

Wm Pattenden - Medal Index Card

There is no evidence of a Third Avenue in Belfast. This may be Third Street, Woodvale (Shankill), Belfast.

Pattenden is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial and also on the Shankill Road Mission Church War Memorial.

He was awarded the 1914 Star with clasp, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. The Northern Bank Centenary volume quotes Pattenden as receiving the 1914/15 Star. His official Medal Roll records him as being awarded the Victory, British, 1914 Star and Clasp.

His family were members of the Shankill Road Mission Congregation. This link takes you to a record of the Shankill Mission - Eddies Extracts.


[*] Gertrude Barsmith Pattenden of 92 Cambrai Street, Belfast died aged 30 on 13th August 1916. She is buried in Dundonald Cemetery.

Lyons, Stewart

Acting Captain Stewart Lyons

Lyons was born at 19 Mark Street, Portrush on 17th January 1895 to Robert S Lyons (Boots in a Hotel) and Ellen M Lyons nee Farren. They had married on 26th April 1876 at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Ballywillan, Portrush.

In 1901, Lyons (6) was living in house 27, Mark Street, Portrush, Co. Antrim with his parents and 2 siblings; Lizzie Kirk (14) and Robert M (10). A cousin, Nellie Kirk (19) was also living in the property.

By 1911, their property was known as house 19, Mark Street, Portrush, Co. Antrim. Stewart (16) is living with his mother and and sister Elizabeth. Evelyn McCready is boarding there. An aunt, Jane Kelly is also in the house. Stewart's occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk - Unemployed.

 
Lyons joined Northern Bank on 5th January 1912 at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed with Royal Avenue (1912), Drumshanbo (1912) and Magherafelt (1913).

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Northern Bank, Drumshanbo branch

Northern Bank, Magherafelt branch

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Lyons  signed the Ulster Covenant at the City Hall, Belfast giving his address as The Bank, Drumshanbo, (Co. Leitrim).

 
On 30th June 1915, Lyons volunteered and enlisted into the 12th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
The 'Northern Constitution' published on 3rd July 1915 carried this report that featured Stewart Lyons:

Lyons was promoted to Corporal before being gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant with the 12th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and also served with the 9th Bn. and 11th Bn. Promotion to Acting Captain came later. 

Lt S Lyons - Medal Index Card

Lyons saw action at the Somme 1916 (Thiepval) and the Allied Advance 1918. He suffered 2 gunshot wounds before being demobilised in April 1919.

The Belfast News Letter of 18th September 1918 reports:

As a result of his injuries, a Pension Record Card was opened giving his address as N B Coy Ltd, Sackville (Street), Dublin.

S Lyons, Pension Record Card

Following demobilisation, Lyons re-joined the Northern Bank on 12th May 1919 at Ball’s Branch.

Ball's branch, Dublin

Transfers followed to Newry (1920 - Accountant), Londonderry (1922 - Cash), Omagh (1927 - Cash), Grafton Street (1930 - Pro-manager), Boyle (1933 - Manager) and Bray (1940 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Whilst working in Londonderry branch, Lyons married Florence Mary Leland (formerly Leland - widow) on 3rd July 1922 at Rathdown, The Mariners' Church, Kingstown, Ireland.

Northern Bank, Omagh branch

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Drumshanbo branch - also see this website. 

Watson, John Frederick

Corporal John Frederick Watson

Watson was born at 'Lismore', Rosetta Park, Belfast on 21st January 1918 to Frederick Ormond Watson, Stockbroker and Edith Doreen Kent Watson nee Smith. They had married in 1909 at Ormskirk, Lancashire, England.

On 1st April 1936 Watson joined Northern Bank at Head Office. His address as recorded on the bank staff ledger sheet was 2 University Street, Belfast.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Transfers followed to Ballynafeigh (1936 - Junior), Banbridge (1937 - Relief), Head Office (1937), Newtownards (1937 - Junior) and Head Office (1939).

Northern Bank, Banbridge branch

Northern Bank, Newtownards branch

 
In May 1939 Watson was permitted by the bank to join the 3rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade.

On 4th September 1939 Watson was ‘Called up on Active Service’ into the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) as a Driver. His final rank is recorded as a Corporal. He served in Italy and France.

 
Watson resumed duty with the Northern Bank on 18th February 1946 at Head Office. Transfers to Carrickfergus (1946 - Accountant), Shaftesbury Square (1948 - Cashier), Head Office (1950), Carrickfergus (1950 - Accountant), Fivemiletown (1954 - Cashier), Donegall Square (1959 - Cashier), Shankill Road (1960 - Cashier) and Head Office (1965 - Cashier).

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch

Northern Bank, Fivemiletown branch

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

Northern Bank, Shankill Road branch

John F Watson is recorded on the bank staff ledger sheet as dying on 24th December 1967.

He died on 26th December 1967. The Belfast Telegraph of 27th December 1967 published this obituary for him:

Frederick O Watson (father), 2 University Street, Belfast died on 7th December 1951.

Spiller, Edwin Fredelle

Sergeant Edwin Fredelle Spiller

Spiller was born at Marlborough Park, Belfast on 3rd March 1889 to Daniel Frederick Spiller, Solicitor and Alice Spiller nee Hall. They married on 6th March 1879 at St. Anne's Parish Church, Belfast.

In 1901 Spiller (12) was living in house 84, Lisburn Road, Windsor, Belfast with his parents and 2 siblings; Alys (Alice in 1911) May (17) and Robert Frederick (13). Two servants were also present in the house; Margaret Black (25) and Letitia Dugan (26).

By 1911 the house number changes to 86 from 84. His parents and siblings, Alice and Robert are living with 2 servants; Sarah Wilkinson (56) and Sarah Jamison (33).

Following his education at Methodist College, Belfast, Spiller joined the Belfast Banking Company on 16th January 1907. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as 4 West Elmwood Road, Belfast. Later on, his mother and sister were added with their address recorded as 4 Adelaide Park, Belfast. 

Belfast Bank, Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet (1)

Belfast Bank, Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet (2)

A later Bankers Guarantee was signed by Spiller 's wife, Jean Spiller with the addresses being recorded as 4 College Avenue, Londonderry and Belfast Bank, Portrush.

 
By 1911, Spiller was boarding in house 14, Abercorn Place, Londonderry, Co. Londonderry. His occupation is detailed as a Bank Official.

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Belfast Bank, Portrush branch

In September 1914, Spiller volunteered and enlisted into the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) and is recorded on his Medal Index Card as a Lieutenant. His Service Numbers were 2176 (Royal Highlanders) and S/443681 (ASC - Army Service Corps).

Medal Index Card - E F Spiller

His first theatre of war is recorded as Western Europe from 2nd May 1915. The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Edwin as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address 'Belfast'. 

Newspaper report of Edwin's injury

A Pension Record card was created as a result of his injury which is recorded as a G S W Head (gun shot wound to the head).

Pension Record Card - E F Spiller

Spiller was discharged from the army on 7th March 1919. He was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal

Following demobilisation, Edwin returned to work in Portrush branch. 

Spiller is reported by many golfing internet sites as being a golfer who won or was runner up in the annual Irish Amateur Open Championships. He was a member of the North West Golf Club who report that he represented Ireland as a Senior International from 1924 to 1929. 

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Winter 1984)’ contains a photograph of Edwin in Londonderry branch in the 1930’s.

E F Spiller, Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

The Belfast News-Letter of 13th June 1934 reported on the marriage of Edwin to Miss Janet (Jean) Henderson at Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church (6th June 1934).

Belfast Telegraph of 7th June 1934

In 1935, he is reported to be living at ‘Rossclair’, Ramore Avenue, Portrush with a son, Noel (Ashley) at Campbell College. 

Spiller was an honorary member of Malone Golf Club with his name recorded on this plaque:

Retirement came on 1st July 1941 as manager of Portrush. 

Edwin Spiller died on 25th May 1980.