Hunter, William Herbert

Captain William Herbert Hunter

Hunter was born at 5 Chichester Terrace, Belfast on 8th April 1915 to Herbert Charles Hunter, Secretary (Linen business) and Ellen Hunter nee Miskimmin. They had married on 8th May 1901 at St. James' Church, Antrim Road, Belfast.

In 1911 Hunter was living with the Miskimmin family (Ellen's parents) with his parents in house 25 Antrim Road, Belfast. A sister, Ellen (8) was also present in the house (see below).

Schooling for Hunter was at Belfast Royal Academy, Cliftonville Road, Belfast.

On 1st March 1933/38 (year is unclear), Hunter joined Northern Bank at Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast and was based in the Post Room.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Whitehead (1939 - Junior) and back to Head Office (1940).

Northern bank, Whitehead branch

On 15th December 1939, Hunter enlisted into the Royal Artillery and was ‘Called up’ on 13th January 1940 as a Gunner. Promotion followed to Lance Bombardier, Cadet, 2nd Lieutenant (1942) and Captain with Service Number 224892.

Although the war in Europe had ended on 8th May 1945 (Victory in Europe Day [VE Day]), Capt William Hunter was still serving there with the Royal Ulster Rifles. He had been home on leave at the end of August 1945 and had called into Whitehead branch to speak to his colleagues and friends.

Shortly after his return to Germany, he was Killed on Active Service on 11th October 1945 aged 30. The 'incident' was reported to the War Office Casualty Branch for the 24 hours ended 09.00 hrs on 16th October 1945 (Forces War Record website). On 5th November 1945 the record was corrected to 'as a result of an accident'.

Hunter's address at the time of his accident was 730 Antrim Road, Belfast.

The Belfast Telegraph reported that he was ‘Killed in a motoring accident in Germany on 11th October 1945'. Hunter is buried in the Munster Heath War Cemetery, Germany. Many of the burials are those who died serving with the Army of Occupation following the end of the war.

His CWGC headstone reads as follows:

CWGC Document showing agreed headstone inscription details

Capt W H Hunter - CWGC Headstone

Munster Heath War Cemetery, Germany

An obituary and photograph were published by the Belfast Telegraph on 19th October 1945.

Belfast Telegraph 19th October 1945

Following this BelTel news report, a member of the Northern Bank staff (Staff Department) pasted the clipping on to his staff record sheet.

Excerpt from William Hunter's Staff Record Sheet

The Larne Times dated 25th October 1945 published this article:

Clipping courtesy of Nigel Henderson

Capt. Hunter is remembered on a family headstone in the 'Corner Graveyard' at Carnmoney Parish Church:

Photo courtesy of Nigel Henderson

Capt. Hunter is remembered on two war memorials at Belfast Royal Academy and Malone Rugby Club (both photos courtesy of Nigel Henderson).

W H Hunter - Belfast Royal Academy

W H Hunter - Malone Rugby Football Club

Hunter's sister, Ellen later presented a Prayer Desk and Minister's Chair to St Patrick's Parish Church, Cairncastle in memory of her late brother. The church Pulpit was later donated by Ellen's daughter in her memory.

St Patrick's Parish Church, Cairncastle

Plaque on furniture donated in memory of Capt. W H Hunter
(note an incorrect date of death)

October 2025: The Reverend Arlene Moore of the Church of Ireland Parish of Kilwaughter & St Patrick's Cairncastle with All Saints, Craigyhill, Larne is collating an in-house parish 80th anniversary commemorative booklet of all those connected with St Patrick’s who fell or served in the Two World Wars. My thanks go to Arlene for the image of the above plaque.

Corkey, Herbert John

Herbert John Corkey

Corkey was born at Warrenpoint on 4th August 1898 to John Corkey, Farmer and Helen Louisa Corkey nee Grandy. They were married on 3rd August 1892 at Kilcommon Church of Ireland, Co. Wicklow.

In 1901 Corkey (2) lived in house 7, Donaghaguy, Warrenpoint with his parents and 2 siblings, Martha Mary (13) and Isaac Henry (5). Two servants were also present in the property, William Skillen (20) and Mary Jane Skillen (13).

By 1911 Corkey was living in house 1, Great George’s Street, Warrenpoint with his parents and a sister, Evelyn Louisa (4).

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Corkey and his father signed the Ulster Covenant at Warrenpoint. His mother, Helen signed the Women’s Declaration (Covenant). 

On 5th October 1914, Corkey joined Northern Bank at Head Office.  

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Fintona (1914 - Junior), Magherafelt (1916 - Junior), Limavady (1916 - Junior) and Head Office (1917 - Junior).  

Northern Bank, Fintona branch (courtesy McCullough family archive)

Northern Bank, Magherafelt branch

Cheques drawn on Northern Bank, Limavady, 1963 

(branch demolished & rebuilt as a modern building)

Corkey volunteered and enlisted as a Rifleman into the 16th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles on 29th September 1917 with Service Number 20576. He also served in the 19th Battalion.

H J Corkey - Medal Index Card

H J Corkey - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation, Corkey was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

Corkey re-joined Northern Bank on 7th April 1919 at Newry. A transfer to Crumlin Road as Cashier  came in 1920.  

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Herbert Corkey resigned from Northern Bank on 25th September 1920 and emigrated to Canada where he worked as a bank accountant. He crossed the Canada border into USA on 15th October 1923 and settled in the US.

H J Corkey - Canada / USA Border Crossing Card

Corkey  married Melba L Ogden on 10th November 1925.  

Following the entry of the US into WW2, Corkey was registered for the 'Draft' at the upper age limit of 43/44.

H J Corkey (Senior) - Draft Registration Card

At the same time, Corkey's son, also called Herbert John Corkey Junior was also registered for the 'Draft'.  He was aged 19 in 1946 and was recorded as a 'Returned Vet - Honourable Discharge - US Navy'

H J Corkey (Junior) - Draft Registration Card

Herbert Corkey died on 8th March 1971 and is buried in Washington Heights Memorial Park, Ogden, Weber County, Utah, USA.

Courtesy of 'Find a Grave' website