McCune, Charles Knox

3rd Radio Officer Charles Knox McCune 

McCune was born at Shore Street, Belfast on 8th July 1920 to Robert Eaton McCune, Merchant and Mary McCune nee Knox. They had married on 11th September 1912 at College Street South Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

The 1901 Irish Census records a Robert E McCune (29) as residing in house 39, Shore Road, Duncairn Ward, Belfast. Robert married Mary Knox on 11th September 1912 at the Congregational Buildings, College Street South, Belfast.

Following his education, Charles joined the Belfast Banking Company and is recorded as working in Portaferry branch. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him giving his address as Cloughfern, Whiteabbey. 

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Portaferry branch 
(acknowledged to J Miller Collection)

Charles volunteered and enlisted into the Merchant Navy as a 3rd Radio Officer and was serving on the cargo vessel, SS Lalande (Liverpool).

S S Lalande

Charles was killed in action on 14th November 1942. The details of the attack by a U-Boat is in this website.

His death is noted in this newspaper image:

Image courtesy of Nigel Henderson

The Merchant Navy record card records his death by drowning and his rank as 3rd Radio Officer.

Merchant Seaman's Death - via Ancestry

He is remembered on the Shipping & Seaman's Roll of Honour:

Shipping & Seaman's Roll of Honour

The PRONI Wills databases records: "McCune, Charles Knox, Cloughfern, Whiteabbey, County Antrim. Radio Officer died 14th November 1942 at sea. Administration, Belfast 21st October to Robert Eaton McCune merchant. Effects £136 18s. 10d."

McCune is remembered on the Radio Officers website. This website records McCune's death as:

"The steamer was so badly damaged by enemy air attacks off the North African coast that she had to be withdrawn from service. It is assumed the above officer died during such air attacks. Six other members of the crew lost their lives."

Belfast Bank War Memorial

Maguire, Frank Patrick

2nd Lieutenant Francis (Frank) Patrick Maguire

Maguire was born at Castle Street, Ballyshannon on 25th September 1894 to Michael Maguire, Solicitor and Mary Anne or Marion Maguire nee Gallagher. 

In 1901 Maguire (6) lived in house 3, Castle, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal with his parents and 2 siblings; Margaret Mary (10) and Kathleen Rose (7). Two servants; Mary Anne McManus and Margaret McKenna were also present in the house.

Marion Maguire (mother, aged 47) died on 7th November 1906 at Castle Street, Ballyshannon. 

In 1911 the property is described as house 10, Castle Street, Ballyshannon. His father, Michael is living with his 2 daughters; Margaret and Kate. A student, Patrick John Bradley also lives in the property.

Maguire joined the Belfast Banking Company and is recorded as working in Castleblayney branch. Frank's Bankers Guarantee was signed by the Very Rev Canon E Maguire of Tamney, Letterkenny. 

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Castleblayney branch

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records him as working in Londonderry branch.

Belfast Bank - 'Roll of Honour' booklet

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Maguire volunteered and enlisted into the 5th Bn. Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) as a Private with Service Number was 5317. His first theatre of war is recorded as France. He was later to be promoted through the ranks to Sergeant before gaining his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on 31st July 1917.

Medal Index Card - F P Maguire

He was serving with the 5th Bn. Prince of Wales Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) as a 2nd Lieutenant when he was killed in action on 27th April 1918. 

He is buried in the Cinq Rues British Cemetery, Hazebrouck, Nord, France.

He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Maguire is remembered in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast on the Belfast Banking Company Memorial window and plaque.

The Register of Soldiers' Effects records Maguire's pay and gratuity totalling around £78.

Register of Soldiers' Effects - M P Maguire

Somers, William John Reeves

Corporal William John Reeves Somers

Somers was born in Chichester, Sussex on 7th August 1884 to Walter John Somers and Mrs Somers, of Glenfarg Road, Catford, London.

Somers served in the Royal Navy (Pembroke) as an Errand Boy between 10th October 1900 and 17th September 1901. He is recorded as having 'a scar of a cut on his left thumb'.

Royal Naval record - W J R Somers

The 1901 English census records Somers as being in the Royal Naval Chatham Dockyard, Kent, England.

Later on, he joined the Belfast Banking Company and worked in Western branch (Shankill Road, Belfast). 

Belfast Bank, Western branch, Shankill Road

Somers married Katherine Annie Johnston on 20th December 1909 at the Registrar's Office, Belfast. He gave his address as Peoples Palace, Donegall Road, Belfast.

In late 1914, Somers volunteered and enlisted as a Private into the 2nd Bn. Royal Sussex Regiment with a Service Number of 6660 later to be L/6660. The National Archives also record a Service Number of 358816. His first theatre of war is recorded as from 31st August 1914.

 Wm J R Somers - Medal Index Card

Somers was serving as a Corporal when he was killed in action on 9th May 1915 in Richebourg L'avoue aged 31. Somers is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, Pas De Calais, France. There is also a family grave in Ilford Cemetery, Essex, England. 

The Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour booklet' records his death:

Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet

Cpl Wm Somers was awarded the 1914 Star, the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

Wm J R Somers - Medal Roll 

The Register of Soldiers Effects records that Wm Somers pay totalling £12 8s 6d was distributed to his widow in 3 instalments between 1915 to 1919.

W J R Somers - Register of Soldiers Effects 

A Pension Record card was created for Wm Somers in respect of his widow, Kate Annie Somers (dob 12th February 1885) and his 2 children; William John (dob 17th October 1910) and Arthur Leonard (dob 14th April 1913). A pension of 18/6 later increased to 19/- was authorised.

Wm J R Somers - Pension Record Card 

Cpl Wm J R Somers is remembered on the Belfast Banking Company war memorial in St. Anne's Cathedral, Belfast.

Patterson, William

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

William Patterson

Patterson was born on 4th November 1868 to George Patterson and Elizabeth Patterson nee Lennox.

Patterson would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1890 / 1895. The Staff Guarantee ledger records William Patterson, Solicitor, Belfast as having the guarantee signed by John Lennox (Holywood, Gentleman) and James Lennox (Holywood, Builder).

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

In 1901, a Solicitor (aged 32 and single) named William Patterson was living in house 12, Lennox Place, Holywood. William was living with Elizabeth Patterson (71), presumably his mother and two women, a niece of Elizabeth, Alicia Latimer and a sister of Elizabeth, Mary Latimer.

In 1910, this website records a William Patterson, solicitor living in Stewart's Place, Holywood.

In 1911, a Solicitor (aged 42 and single) named William Patterson was living in house 31, High Street, Holywood. William was still living with Elizabeth Patterson (82), presumably his mother.

The Holywood, Lennox and Solicitor connections tie in with other information held by the writer.

Patterson volunteered and enlisted into the army.

He was reported missing (date unknown).

The website In Flanders Field report the following instances of the name William Patterson with their 'deceased' date in the first column:

01/07/1916	LISBURN, CO. ANTRIM	11TH ROYAL IRISH RIFLES
01/07/1916	HILLSBOROUGH, CO. DOWN	9TH ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS
09/08/1916	BALLYMACARRETT, CO. DOWN	ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS, 1ST BATT
08/09/1916	ELPHINSTONE, MIDLOTHIAN	ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS, 1ST BATT.
07/06/1917	DROMORE, CO. DOWN	10TH ROYAL IRISH RIFLES
21/03/1918	BALLYMACARRETT, BELFAST	ROYAL IRISH RIFLES, 1ST BATT.

Unfortunately there is still not enough information to identify the correct soldier.

Hunter, William Mortimer

2nd Lieutenant William Mortimer Hunter

Hunter was born at Barnhill, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal on 20th October 1890 to John Hunter, farmer and Margaret Elizabeth Hunter nee McLean. A twin daughter, Wilhelmina was born 10 minutes after William. They had married on 27th January 1879 at the residence of Thomas McLean, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal.

In 1901 Hunter was living in house 11, Glebe, Castlewray, Co. Donegal with his parents and 6 siblings; Margaret (18), Elizabeth (16), Wilhelmina (10), Thomas (8), Mary (5) and James (5). 3 servants, Mary Ann McGinley, Samuel McNutt and John Hegarty are also present in the house.

By 1911, the family are still living at that address. The parents are present and the following children, Margaret, Elizabeth, Jack, Mina, Tom, Mary and Jim. There are 3 servants too, Henry Deeming, Susannah McDaid and James Diver. Hunter is not present in the family home.

Hunter would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1907 / 1908 serving in Ballyshannon branch.

Belfast Bank, Ballyshannon branch

In 1911 he is boarding with the McQuade family in house 1, Sedan Terrace, Enniskillen. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. There is another bank clerk, Gerald K M K Lanie also boarding in the property.

Hunter volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with Service Number 12/29269.  Later he was promoted to Lance Corporal and then 2nd Lieutenant.  His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 2nd May 1917.

Hunter was serving with 4th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant when he was killed in action on 29th June 1917 aged 26. 

On 6th July 1917 the News Letter reported his death in its 'Ulster and the War' column.

Ulster and the War column - courtesy of Nigel Henderson, Great War Newspapers

The bank memorial picture above states he was serving with the Royal Irish Fusiliers when he was killed. His Medal Index Card confirms his service with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Wm M Hunter - Medal Index Card 

Hunter was awarded the British War medal and the British Victory Medal.

He is buried in the Bard Cottage Cemetery, leper West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Administration of the Estate of William M Hunter was granted at Londonderry to Margaret E Hunter, widow (his mother). Hunter's effects were £46 2s 6d.



McMahon, Patrick

 

2nd Lieutenant Patrick McMahon

McMahon was born at Irish Street, Armagh City, Co. Armagh on 8th November 1886 to Patrick McMahon, Flax Merchant and Annie McMahon nee Quinn. They had married on 22nd September 1880 at Armagh Roman Catholic Chapel.

In 1901, McMahon (15) lived in house 3, Edward Street, Armagh with his parents and 6 siblings; Charles (18), Josephine (15), Francis (12), Mary (10), Harry (7) and Joseph (2). A servant, Susan Dolleghan was also in the property.

Around 1904-1906 McMahon (18/20) Patrick joined the Belfast Banking Company and is recorded as working in Newry and Buncrana branches. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and gave his address as Edward Street, Armagh.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Newry branch

Belfast Bank, Buncrana branch

In 1911, McMahon is recorded as boarding in house 102, Main Street, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. There are 2 other Bank Clerks also boarding in this house; Norman A Anderson (17) and James Wright (27). 

McMahon volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Highlanders with Service Number 2171. 

Following his training, he sailed for France on 19th November 1915.

McMahon was serving with 4th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles (attached to the 2nd Bn.) as a 2nd Lieutenant when he was killed in action on 11th June 1917 aged 29. 

The Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet records him as 'Killed in Action'.

Belfast Bank - 'Roll of Honour' booklet

McMahon is buried in the Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France.

The De Ruvigny Roll of Honour (see picture below) records:

".... was wounded in the Somme battle ...... was wounded at Messines receiving gunshots in the left side and arm ...... died the same day in the grounds of the casualty clearing station ......"

De Ruvigny Roll of Honour - McMahon Excerpt

McMahon was awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. As he was an officer, a relative applied for these on 23rd March 1923.

Hewitt, William Arthur

2nd Lieutenant William Arthur Hewitt

Hewitt was born at Princess Gardens, Bangor on 23rd January 1893 to James Henry Hewitt, Manager of the Workshops for the Industrious Blind and Jeannie D Hewitt nee Marshall. They had married on 25th June 1879 at St. John's Church of Ireland, Belfast.

In 1901 Hewitt (8) is living in house 15, Rosetta Avenue, Ormeau, Belfast with his parents and 4 siblings; J Marshall (20), Edith M (18), Ernest (15) and Holt (13). A visitor, Charlotte Hewitt and a servant, Bridget McIntee are also present in the property.

Hewitt was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institute (RBAI - INST), played rugby for the North of Ireland Rugby Football Club and was also a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

He joined the Belfast Banking Company and is recorded as working in their Markets branch. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and gave his address as Altamont, 97 Mornington Park, Bangor, Co. Down.  

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Markets branch, Victoria Street

By 1911 Hewitt is living in house 27, Downshire Road, Bangor, Co. Down with his parents and 3 siblings; Edith, Ernest and Holt. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. He had been working in Head Office.

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, Hewitt's father signed the Ulster Covenant at the Dufferin Memorial Hall, Bangor.

Hewitt volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. His first theatre of war is recorded as western Europe from 25th March 1916. His Medal Index Card records his father's address as Mornington Park, Bangor.

W A Hewitt - Medal Index Card

He was serving with 9th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant when he was killed in action on 1st July 1916 aged 23. He was their Assistant Adjutant.

Hewitt was one of three brothers who fell. They were Lieutenant Ernest Henry Hewitt (Mentioned in Dispatches), killed in action on 15th / 16th June 1915 aged 29, and Lieutenant Holt Montgomery Hewitt, killed in action on 1st July 1916 aged 29. William is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France and also on Bangor War Memorial.

A brass memorial tablet, commemorating all three brothers is also on show in St. Comgall's Church, Bangor. 

The Belfast News Letter of 7th July 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 10th July 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 12th July 1916 reports:

The regimental magazine 'The Sprig' dated 2nd September 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 15th August 1917 reports:



Administration of the estate was granted at Belfast to Francis H Hewitt, Manager.  Hewitt's effects were £352 9s 6d.

Thanks to Nigel Henderson of Great War Ulster Newspapers Archives for this image.

Bangor Rugby Football Club War Memorial displays a picture of Holt M Hewitt.

Bangor Rugby Football Club - War Memorial - H M Hewitt
(Courtesy of John McCormick)

Bangor Golf Club War Memorial records the name of Ernest M Hewitt.

Bangor Golf Club - War Memorial - H M Hewitt
(Courtesy of John McCormick)

Hewitt is also remembered on the RBAI (INST) 1914-18 War Memorial:

Photograph courtesy of LennonWylie