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.
Transfers followed to Whitehead (1939 - Junior) and back to Head Office (1940).
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:
An obituary and photograph were published by the Belfast Telegraph on 19th October 1945.
.JPG)
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.
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.
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.
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.
.JPG)
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
St Patrick's Parish Church, Cairncastle
Plaque on furniture donated in memory of Capt. W H Hunter
(note an incorrect date of death)
(note an incorrect date of death)
