Roberts, Hugh Stanley

Lance Corporal Hugh Stanley Roberts

Roberts was born at Rigg, Ely, Co. Fermanagh on 18th September 1895 to Samuel Thomas Roberts and Margaret Jane Roberts nee Nixon. They were married on 20th August 1884 in Enniskillen.

In 1901 Roberts was living in house 1, Rigg, Ely, Co. Fermanagh with his parents and 2 sisters; Katie (14) and Lillie (13). Two servants were also in the house, Patrick Murphy and Mary Maguire.

In 1911 Roberts was living in house 7, Rigg, Ely, Co. Fermanagh with his parents, 2 sisters and a brother, Thomas N (18).

On 11th April 1913, Roberts joined Northern Bank at Head Office.   

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Fintona (1913 - Junior) and Head Office (1914). 

Northern Bank, Fintona (Photo courtesy of Allan McCullough Family)

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Roberts signed the Ulster Covenant at Enniskillen. 

In September 1914, Roberts volunteered and enlisted into the 9th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a Private with Service Number 13613. This was to be for the ‘duration of war’. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 15th November 1915.

H S Roberts - Medal Index Card

Prior to being killed in action, aged 20, on 1st July 1916 he was promoted to Lance Corporal (Corporal 2nd). His name is recorded on a grave in the Rossorry Church of Ireland graveyard.

Roberts was awarded the 1915 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial and in the UK Commonwealth War Graves.

UK Commonwealth War Graves 1914-1920 - H S Roberts

The Register of Soldiers' Effects records that Roberts' father, Samuel T Roberts received £9 1s 3d on 17th January 1917 and that his mother received £8 0s 0d on 22nd October 1919 as a War gratuity.

Register of Soldiers' Effects - H S Roberts

A Pension Record Card was created in respect of Roberts' mother.

Pension Record Card - H S Roberts

Stewart, Eric Hilton

Corporal Eric Hilton Stewart

Stewart was born in Belfast on 15th July 1895 to Harry Hilton Stewart, Bank Clerk and Anna Mary Maude Stewart nee Young. They had married on 11th May 1893 at St. Barnabas Church, Belfast.

In 1901 Stewart (5) was living in house 15, (Chattenden), Chichester Park, Belfast with his parents, 2 aunts Margaret Elizabeth and Emily Alice and 2 siblings, Percy Malcolm (1) and Marjorie Evelyn (0).  Harry's (father) job was recorded as a Bank Clerk.

In 1911 the parents are living in house 20, Salisbury Avenue, Clifton Ward, Belfast with their family aged Marjorie (10), Ethel (4) and Alan (1). There are 2 servants as well. Harry's (father) job was recorded as Bank Inspector. Eric would have been aged 15 or 16 in 1911. He was not present in the family home on Census Day and was recorded as residing in house 1.2, College Hill, Armagh. This is probably Armagh Royal School. 

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Stewart signed the Ulster Covenant at Cliftonpark Church Lecture Hall and gave his address as 5 Salisbury Villas, Chichester Park, Belfast.

Stewart joined Northern Bank on 5th October 1913 in Head Office. Transfers to Shaftesbury Square (1913) and Head Office (1914) followed.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch

In September 1914, Stewart volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Fusiliers (Public Schools and Universities Bn.) as a Private with Service Number FS5676. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 15th November 1915. He was promoted to Lance Corporal and then to Corporal. 

Eric H Stewart - Medal Index Card

Stewart was serving with the 20th Bn. Royal Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 16th July 1916 aged 21.

He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

The Belfast News Letter of 25th July 1916 reports:

Following his death, Stewart's final pay and benefits was awarded to his father, Harry H Stewart, Chief Inspector, Northern Banking Company. Harry died in 1940.

Eric Stewart - Register of Soldiers' Effects

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

Hamilton, John

[Ballymena Weekly Telegraph - August 1916
- courtesy of Nigel Henderson and John McCormick]

[Fermanagh Times - January 1917 - courtesy of Great War Ulster Newspaper Archive]

2nd Lieutenant John Hamilton

Hamilton was born at Ballyrobin, Stranocum on 20th February 1886 to James Hamilton, Farmer and Lily Hamilton nee McCracken. They had married on 3rd March 1881 at Carncullagh (Dervock) Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Hamilton (15) was living in house 15, Ballyrobin, Stranocum with his parents and 3 siblings; Margaret (17), Wm S (13) and James B (5). A servant, John Kone was also present in the property.

Probably around 1906, Hamilton joined the Belfast Banking Company and served in Ballyshannon and Coleraine branches.

Belfast Bank, Ballyshannon branch

Belfast Bank, Coleraine branch

The 1911 Irish Census records Hamilton as boarding with the Ward family in house 19, Cabra Park, Phibsborough, Glasnevin, Dublin. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. [Thanks to Nigel Henderson for identifying the Irish Censi records].

His family were living in house 15, Ballyrobin, Stranocum. His parents and 2 siblings; Margaret and James.

Hamilton volunteered and enlisted into the 12h Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with Service Number 14748. A promotion to Lance Serjeant followed. His Medal Index Card records his first theatre of war as France. John's address is recorded as c/o his sister, Mrs W Stirling (formerly Miss M Hamilton), 72 Cooke Street, Denvir, Colorado, USA.

J Hamilton - Medal Index Card

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) website records one John Hamilton having the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and serving in the 11th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers who was killed in action on 1st July 1916.

The Belfast News Letter of 9th May 1917 reported his as previously missing and now presumed to be dead.

John Hamilton is commemorated on the Theipval Memorial. Hamilton is mentioned in ‘Bushmills Hero’s 1914 - 1918’ by Robert Thompson, Coleraine, published privately, 1999.

The same picture appeared in the Belfast Evening Telegraph, Ballymoney Weekly Telegraph and the Fermanagh Times in addition to the Belfast Banking Company War Memorial.

J Hamilton - Ireland's Memorial Record

Hamilton is remembered in Carncullagh Presbyterian Church.

The website '36thulster' records an excellent obituary for John Hamilton. The text and a further photograph are copied below:

John had been a leading sportsman in the years before the 1st World War and was prominent in athletics as well as being a member of Bann Rowing Club. He rowed number two in Jack Lowry’s senior four in 1913. He was a son of Mr John Hamilton, of Woodview, Stranocum, and before enlisting worked in the Belfast Bank in Coleraine. He enlisted on the outbreak of hostilities, joining the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. At first, training took place at Finner Camp, in County Donegall, starting on 20th September 1914. 

Finner Camp had originally been used to provide training facilities for soldiers during the Boer War and was known locally as the Boer War Camp. Much progress was made in the early stages as the men had already been in training for other reasons. In early January the battalion marched to the hutted camp at Shanes Castle, near Randalstown, and remained there. In February John Hamilton was sent on a course of instruction to Chelsea Barracks and received his commission on 19th April. On the evening of Wednesday 7th July 1915 they embarked at Dublin on their way to Bramshott, in Surrey. Much intensive training now took place and on 5th October they sailed for France. At Folkestone they embarked on the St. Oriel trans- port vessel and arrived at Boulogne at 3.00am. They immediately marched to Ostrohove rest camp and remained there all next day. Soon after this they were moved up to the area close to the front to help with trench digging and for more training. 

On the 1st of July, as the attack began at 7.30am and the 11th battalion left their trenches, they were immediately hit by machine-gun fire and rifle fire. John was with Captain Myles as they crossed No Man’s Land and it was after they had left the sunken road and were approaching the Crucifix that Capt Myles was injured. John then took command of the Company and led them on towards the German positions. It was as they approached the German wire and were searching for a way through that John was hit in the neck by machine-gun fire. He was reported missing. Much later, and long after the news that he was missing had reached home, his sister Margaret applied for a court order presuming his death in action. 

A letter from the Chaplain, the Rev J J Wright of Ballyshannon, told how 2nd Lieutenant Hamilton had been struck by a bullet in the left side of the neck and killed. The Judge granted the application.
Three other young Ballymoney men serving with the 11th battalion were killed on this day. Samuel McClelland is buried in the nearby Mill Road Cemetery. John Reid of Finvoy, and Alex Kirkpatrick, both killed as they attacked the Schwaben Redoubt, were never seen again.

See Comments section below for further commentary from a couple of relatives.

Breene, Thomas Frederick

2nd Lieutenant Thomas Frederick Breene

Breene was born in Ballykett townland, Kilrush, Co. Clare, Ireland on 17th May 1888 to Thomas John Breene, Excise Officer and Mary Ann Breene nee McInerney. They had married on 16th August 1883 at St Michael's Church of Ireland, Limerick. Thomas is recorded as an Inland Revenue Officer on the marriage registration.

In 1901 Breene (12) was living at 99 Fitzroy Avenue, Belfast with his parents and 6 siblings; Walter (16), Richard (14), Harold (11), John George (10), Aileen Clare (8) and Nicholas (6). A servant, Bridget Tubridy was also living in the house. Breene's father's occupation is recorded as an Inland Revenue Officer, 1st Class, (Excise Department).

On 1st March 1906, Breene joined Northern Bank in Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Balbriggan (1908), Londonderry (1910) and Kingscourt (1911 - Cashier).

Northern Bank, Balbriggan branch

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Frederick Breene is recorded in the 1911 Irish Census as boarding with the Haslett family in house 2.1 Rosemount Avenue, Londonderry.

In 1911, the rest of the family were still living in house 99, Fitzroy Avenue, Belfast. Parents and 4 children; John George (20 - Bank Clerk), Aileen Clare (18), Nicholas (16) and Cyril (8). John was eventually to emigrate to USA where he died in 1945. 

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Breene's sister, Aileen Claire Breene signed the Women’s Ulster Declaration (Covenant) at All Saints School, Belfast.

Further transfers followed to Cushendall (1912 - Cashier), Head Office (1912), Dungloe (1912 - Cashier) and Head Office (1914).

Northern Bank, Cushendall branch (1922 burning)

Northern Bank, Dungloe branch

 
Breene was a member of Queens’ University Officer Training Corps (OTC) in 1915. On 7th May 1915, he volunteered for war service and was commissioned into the 1st Bn. Royal Warwickshire Machine-Gun Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant. 

His first theatre of war is recorded as M. E. F. from 20th November 1915. Later newspaper reports record him as dying in  France.

T F Breene - Medal Index Card

Breene was killed in action on 1st July 1916.

This website records a diary entry that mentions the death of T F Breene.

"... At 9:10 am the 1st Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which had already experienced the front-line horrors of gas attacks in the last week of June, received orders to move up from its reserve position and towards the battle zone. Just after 1:00pm, reports were received that British troops had been spotted in the German forward trenches, and a patrol belonging to the 1st RWR set off into No Man's Land under Lt R R Waters of 'A' Company. Pinned down by machine-gun fire from Beaumont Hamel, the sortie was forced to withdraw having suffered a number of casualties, including the death of Lt T F Breene. In the ranks, Gloucester born A/Cpl Albert Henry Boucher (No. 8609) had also fallen. ..."

The Belfast News Letter of 7th July 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter dated 19th July 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 8th January 1917 reports:

Administration (with the Will) was granted at Belfast to Mary Breene, Married Woman. His effects were £31 16s 0d.

Breene was awarded the 1915 Star, British Victory Medal and the British War Medal and is commemorated on the 'Royal Warwickshire Regiment' wall section of the Thiepval Memorial.

He is remembered on the Queen's University Officers' Training Corps War Memorial and in Ireland's Memorial Record:

A retired official of Northern Bank, Peter Breene (PTSB) has kindly let me use two photographs of brothers of T F Breene.

Richard Simmons Breene and Harold (Hal) Breene

Richard was to become Chancellor Breene, rector of St Peters parish, Antrim Road, Belfast.

Hal was also a member of the Warwickshire Regiment. He had been badly affected by gassing during the war and was never in good health afterwards. He died aged 72 on board a ship to Madeira and was buried at sea.