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.

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 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), 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 onto William's 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

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

Carlisle, John Craig

Lieutenant John Craig Carlisle

Carlisle was born at Derryvalley, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan on 16th January 1895 to Samuel Carlisle, Farmer and Margaret Carlisle nee Gillespie. They had married on 26th April 1894 at First Ballybay Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Carlisle (6) is living in house 3, Derryvalley, Ballybay with his parents and 2 sisters; Eileen (3) and Jane Matilda (1). A servant, Mary McGowan (13) also lives in the property.

On 10th October 1910 Carlisle joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Dromore (1911 - Junior), Donegall Square (1911 - Junior), Grafton Street (1913 - Junior) and Head Office (1915 - Junior).

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Donegall Square

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin

In 1911, Carlisle (16) was boarding with the Jardine family in house 43, Church Street, Dromore, Co. Down. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. John's family still live in Derryvalley and have a new daughter, Dora,

On 20th November 1915 Carlisle volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles, then the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps (OTC). John later saw service with the Machine-Gun Corps and was promoted to Lieutenant.

Medal Index Card - John C Carlisle

Carlisle was later awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

On 5th October 1918, Carlisle married Anna Ferguson of 49 Rathgar Road, Rathgar, Dublin in Rathgar Presbyterian Church. (Source: Genealogy Ireland).

A comment was left in 2017: "Torpedoed! The RMS Leinster Disaster" by Philip Lecane. For further information please contact the author through the website www.rmsleinster.com with individual links:

John C Carlisle  &  Anna Carlisle

RMS Leinster was an Irish ship operated by the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company. She served as the Kingstown-Holyhead mailboat until she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine SM UB-123, which was under the command of Oberleutnant zur See Robert Ramm, on 10th October 1918, while bound for Holyhead. She went down just outside Dublin Bay at a point 4 nautical miles (7.4 km) east of the Kish light. (Source: Wikipedia)

Following demobilisation, Carlisle resigned from the bank and became an accountant with the Air Ministry (1919).

In 1939, Carlisle was living in 42 Woodland Gardens, Hornsey, Middlesex, England. He is recorded as married and a Bank Manager.

1939 Register - John C Carlisle

John C Carlisle died in late 1966 aged 71 at Hove , Sussex, England.

Probate Record - John C Carlisle

Cooper, Thomas W

Warrant Officer (Class 2) Thomas William Cooper

Cooper was born in Winchester in quarter 4, 1868 (Ref: Ancestry.co.uk - England & Wales, Civil Registration Births Index). His mother's maiden name was Wring.

Around 1900/1902, Cooper married Mary Wilson (Ref: Birth Registration for Jane Cooper, 1905)

On 4th October 1904, at Clonmel, Colour Sergeant Thomas Wm Cooper (Service Number 1342) was discharged from the 4th Bn Royal Irish Regiment.

Proceedings on Discharge - Thomas W Cooper

Cooper joined Northern Bank in 1904 as a Bank Porter based in their Grafton Street, Dublin branch.

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin

In 1911, Cooper (41 - see above re his birth registration) is residing in house 116, Grafton Street, Dublin with his wife, Mary Ellen and his children; Elizabeth (8), Jane (5), Isabella (3) and Thomas (2).  His occupation is recorded as a Bank Porter. The building is recorded as a 'shop and dwelling'.

Cooper was based in Grafton Street branch, Dublin when he enlisted on 16th September 1914 into the 5th Bn. Royal Irish Regiment with Service Number 2033.

Army Reserve Attestation Form - T W Cooper

Medal Index Card - T W Cooper

His first theatre of war was recorded as the Balkans from 22nd July 1915.

He subsequently saw service in Gallipoli, the landing at Suvla Bay and in the Salonika Campaign (Retreat from Serbia). 

Following his promotion to Company Quarter Master Sergeant (CQMS) he was further promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2.

Cooper was demobilised in April 1919 and was awarded the 1915 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Cooper was commemorated in a Gallipoli Centenary event at the Northern Banking Company exhibit, Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra in April 2015.

Gavin Bamford presenting the Gallipoli event at Cultra

The Last Post Award

Thomas Cooper (70) died on 6th October 1939 as reported in the Belfast Telegraph. He is buried in Dundonald Cemetery, Belfast:

Belfast Telegraph, 7th October 1939

Mary Ellen Cooper died on 22nd April 1917 - age 46 - wife born c. 1871
Thomas William Cooper died on 23rd September 1971 - age 62 - son born c. 1909
Margaret Cooper died on 24th October 1936 - age 59 - ? born 1877

The grave was opened in 1939 for the interment of Thomas Cooper. This document is from the Dundonald Cemetery records.

Courtesy (paid for) of Belfast City Council - Dundonald Cemetery

Bullick, Edwin

Courtesy of Lisburn Museum

Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant Edwin Bullick

Bullick was born at Bachelors Walk, Lisburn on 3rd September 1894 to James Parker Bullick, Painter and Katie Bullick nee Pyne. They had married on 15th April 1894 in Annahilt Church of Ireland.

 In 1901 Bullick (6) lived in house 67, Bachelors Walk, Lisburn with his parents and 2 sisters; Elizabeth Irene (4) and Kathleen (2).

Bullick was educated at the Ulster Provincial School (Friends' School), Lisburn. In 1906 he won the 'Prize for the Head of the [3rd] Form' and for 'French'. In 1908 he won the 'Arithmetic (Special Prize)'.

The following postcard (front & reverse) dated 27th April 1908 appeared in a Facebook group posted by Ernest McGookin.

Postcard addressed to Edwin Bullick

On 2nd May 1910, Edwin joined Northern Bank at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

By 1911, Bullick was residing in house 36, Railway Street, Lisburn with his parents and 6 siblings; Elizabeth Irene (14), Kathleen (12), Ida Helen (9), Moses (7), Nora Gertrude (5) and James (3). A servant, Margaret Alley is also present in the house. Edwin is described as a Bank Clerk.

In 1913, he was transferred to Ball’s branch as Junior.

Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

Whilst in Ball’s branch, he travelled back to Lisburn on 9th September 1914 and enlisted (aged 20) into the 11th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles under Col. Pakenham for the duration of the war. His Service Number was 11/17338. He has recorded his occupation as a Clerk.

Service Record - Edwin Bullick

Medal Index Card - Edwin Bullick

Bullick saw service with the British Expeditionary Force and was promoted to Lance Corporal in October 1914. He was made Sergeant in December 1914, Company Quarter Master Sergeant in January 1915. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 5th October 1915.

On that date, Bullick left Bordon Camp for France and is named on the Embarkation List for the 11th (Service) Bn. Royal Irish Rifles (South Antrim Volunteers). Promotion to Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant came in March 1916. Edwin saw action at Somme 1916 (Thiepval), Messines 1917, Ypres 1917 and Cambrai 1917.

Bullick was demobilised in January 1919 and was awarded the 1915 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Medal Roll - Edwin Bullick

Medal Roll - Edwin Bullick

(*) William Parker Bullick, a relative from
house 6, Bachelors Walk (1911) is detailed below Edwin

The original medals and leather service number tags have been framed along with those of another Northern Banking Company official, J W Harrip.

Courtesy of David Wilson

Bullick was transferred on demobilisation to the Class Z Reserve.

Following demobilisation, Bullick re-joined the Northern Bank on 3rd February 1919 at Head Office.  A transfer to Ballynahinch as Cashier followed in 1922 and whilst there, was later promoted to Pro-Manager. He was back in Head Office (1926 - Interim Manager) followed by Ederney, Co. Fermanagh (1930 - Manager). By 1938 Edwin was manager of Holywood branch.

Northern Bank, Ballynahinch branch (on left)

Northern Bank, Holywood branch

In 1926, Edwin Bullick of 10 Wallace Avenue, Lisburn travelled via Liverpool to La Pallice, France on the ship, Orbita.

Passenger List - Edwin Bullick - 4th November 1926

In 1927, Edwin Bullick of 10 Wallace Avenue, Lisburn travelled via Southampton to Algiers, Algeria on the ship, Grotius.

Passenger List - Edwin Bullick - 1927

In 1928/29, Edwin & Agnes Bullick of Lisburn, Northern Ireland travelled via Liverpool to Gibraltar on the Glasgow steamer, Britannia (built by Anchor Line (Henderson Bros) Ltd., Glasgow).

Passenger List - Edwin Bullick - 1928/29

Whilst working in Ederney, Bullick was a member of Magheraculmoney (Kesh) Parish Church.

On 29th June 1938, the Belfast Telegraph carried a report about an 'Ederney Bank Raid'.

Belfast Telegraph dated 29th June 1938

Edwin Bullick retired on 15th January 1951.

Allister Mulligan posted two photographs of a postcard on the Caledon and Aughnacloy Memories Facebook group. The postcard was posted in 1913 and is addressed to Jas P Bullick at 28 Railway Street, Lisburn.

The following photographs (taken through glass) come by courtesy of Lisburn Museum and its donors.

Lisburn Standard - Friday, 15th November 1918

Mr James Parker Bullick

The death took place at his residence, Wallace Avenue, Lisburn, on Sunday, following a long illness, of Mr. James Parker Bullick, second son of the late Moses Bullick, and a member of the firm of Moses Bullick & Son, painters and contractors. Belfast and Lisburn. Deceased was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. He was a fine sportsman in his younger days, and was a staunch Unionist. He was a member of the Lord Arthur Hill Masonic Lodge, Blaris, No. 147. A sterling Churchman, like his father before him he worshipped in Christ Church. He took a keen interest in the war, and if he died with any regret it was that he did not live to see peace declared, though he had the satisfaction of knowing before the end came that victory was assured. 

His eldest son, Quartermaster Edwin Bullick. R.I.R., is serving at the front, and it is sad to think that he got the news of his father's death on the day that peace was declared. Prior to volunteering Q.M.S. Bullick was an official in the Northern Bank, Belfast. 

Sincere sympathy is felt for the widow and children in their bereavement.

The funeral took place on Wednesday at noon to the New Cemetery, the cortege being a large and representative one.  The chief mourners were -- Maurice and James Bullick (sons), E. Bullick (brother), Edward P. Bullick (nephew), and James G. Bullick, Rathfriland. Wreaths were sent by Mr. and Mrs. Moses Bullick. Ellen and Annie, "All from Daisy Hill" (Newry), Mr. Harry Anderson, and Mr. John Jefferson.  Prior to the funeral Rev. R. H. S. Cooper conducted a short service at the house. Mr. Cooper also officiated at the graveside.

The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Jellie & Fullerton.