Small, Thomas Milliken

Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant (RQMS) Thomas Milliken Small

Small was born in Keady on 24th March 1889 to Samuel Sturgeon Small, Draper and Katherine Emily Small nee Milliken. They had married on 24th August 1887 at Dundela Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

In 1901 Small lived in house 65, Main Street, Keady, Co. Armagh with his mother and 2 sisters; Louisa (17) and Johnena (7). A governess, Marguerite Hardy and a servant, Eliza Campbell were also in the property.

Small's father, Samuel was boarding in house 2.1 in Ardrea (Kilmore, Armagh). This may have been a small hospital as there were 20 other residents in the property on this day ranging from a matron, gentleman's attendant, attendants, ladies nurse, nurses, kitchen and domestic servants.

On 10th April 1907 Small joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Downpatrick (1907 - Junior), Head Office (1907), Ballymena (1907 - Junior), Grafton Street (1908 - Junior), Head Office (1909), Grafton Street (1909) and Head Office (1910). 

Northern Bank, Downpatrick branch

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin branch (tall building with chimneys)

Samuel Small died in Glen House, Keady on 20th October 1908.

In 1911, Small was living in house 6, Groomsport Road, Bangor, Co. Down with his mother and sister, Johnena. A servant, Catherine McParland is also in the house. Thomas' occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

Katherine Small, Thomas' mother died in 57 Ballyholme Road, Bangor on 1st February 1914.

The Bank Staff Record card records Small as volunteering and enlisting into the Ulster Volunteer Force on 11th September 1914.

Small had volunteered at Bangor and enlisted into the 13th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles as a Private with Service Number 18782. His Army Service Record attestation form and medical record is displayed below.

T M Small - Army Attestation Form - page 1

T M Small - Army Medical Record

He was later posted to the 16th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. Promotion to Company Quarter Master Sergeant and Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant followed. 

Service was seen in the Somme 1917 (Thiepval), Messines 1917, Ypres 1917 and Courtrai 1918. 

Thomas Small was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal for service in the Great War.

T M Small - Medal Index Card

T M Small - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation in May 1919, he re-joined the Northern Bank on 10th June 1919 at Head Office. 

Thomas Small married Miss Margaret Magee of Knock on 6th July 1921 (Marriage Registration) at Knock Church of Ireland. The Bank Staff Record card records the marriage as taking place in June 1921.

He attended a dedication service at First Bangor Presbyterian Church as reported in the 'North Down Herald and County Down Independent' published on Saturday, 2nd April 1921.

'North Down Herald and County Down Independent' 

published on Saturday, 2nd April 1921

In 1926 he was appointed as Head of Correspondence Department.

A transfer to Dungannon as Manager followed in 1935.

 
He retired on pension on 30th June 1941 and later moved to Bangor where he enjoyed playing cricket, tennis and golf with his name being mentioned in many newspaper club reports.

 
Thomas Small of 24 Clifton Road, Bangor died at Ards Hospital on 31st August 1955 aged 66.

Patterson, Frederick William

Cadet Frederick William Patterson

Patterson was born at 25 Cyprus Gardens, Belfast on 27th May 1899 the son of Philip Mathew Patterson, Traveller and Sarah Patterson nee Donovan. They had married on 3rd August 1898 at Calry Church of Ireland, Sligo.

In 1901, Patterson (1) is living in house 103, Lisburn Road, Windsor Ward, Belfast with his parents and his elder brother, Philip Henry (9). 

By 1911, the family had moved to house 99, Marlborough Park, Windsor Ward, Belfast. The household consisted of Patterson , his parents, his maternal grandmother, Mary Ann Donovan and 4 siblings; Philip Henry (19), Thomas Edward (9), Mildred Kathleen (5) and Maurice (3). 

 
On 22nd May 1916 Patterson joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Downpatrick (1916 - Junior), Hillsborough (1917 - Junior), Banbridge (1917 - Accountant) and Head Office (1918).

Northern Bank, Downpatrick branch

Northern Bank, Banbridge branch

On 31st May 1918 Patterson volunteered and enlisted for service in the newly formed Royal Air Force (RAF). It was formed towards the end of the Great War on 1st April 1918, becoming the first independent air force in the world, by regrouping the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).

His Service Number as a Private was 179241. Patterson was graded a few months later to Cadet. He was demobilised and transferred to the RAF Reserve effective from 21st March 1919.

Cadet Frederick William Patterson - RAF Service Record

On 18th March 1919, Patterson re-joined Northern Bank at Head Office. A transfer to Shaftesbury Square (1920 - Accountant) followed.

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square, Belfast

Frederick Patterson left Northern Bank in 1923 and may have joined the Canadian Bank of Commerce the following year. (Ref: Bank Staff Record card).

He emigrated to Canada to live permanently leaving the UK on the ship S S Marloch (a vessel built in 1904 by the Workman, Clark shipyard in Belfast) sailing on 6th October 1923.

F W Patterson - Immigration Document 

On 28th August 1925 Frederick Patterson married Mary Anne Irvine in Toronto, Canada.

F W Patterson & M A Irvine - Marriage Registration

A travel document exists for Frederick Patterson from 5th December 1943 from Canada into the US.

F W Patterson - Travel Document

Orr, Samuel

Cadet Samuel Orr

Orr was born at Pacific Avenue, Antrim Road, Belfast on 6th June 1894 to Samuel Orr, Book-keeper and Lucinda Orr nee Temple. They had married on 24th January1888 at Malone Presbyterian Church.

In 1901, Orr (6) was living in house 33, Sunnyside Street, Ormeau Ward, Belfast with his parents and 3 siblings; Mary Priscilla (15), Maud (12) and Herbert Temple (1).

Orr  joined Northern Bank at Head Office on 5th May 1910.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

By 1911, the family had moved to house 5, Farnham Park, Bangor, Co. Down. Orr (16) is recorded as a Bank Clerk and is living with his parents and siblings, Maud and Herbert.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Samuel Orr signed the Ulster Covenant at the Guild Hall, Bangor.

 
Transfers followed with Armagh (1912), Head Office (1914), Irvinestown (1914), Kilrea (1914) and Clones (1915 - Accountant).

Northern Bank, Armagh branch

Northern Bank, Kilrea branch

Northern Bank, Clones branch

Orr (21) volunteered and enlisted into the Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) on 15th June 1915 as a Private with Service Number 08709. 

In 1918 the Army Ordnance Corps received the 'Royal' prefix and become the RAOC.

Samuel Orr - Medal Index Card

He was attached to HQ 34th Division. Later, his attachment was changed to the Argyll and Southern Highlanders as a Cadet. Service was seen in the Somme 1916, Arras 1917, St. Quentin 1918 and the Allied Advance 1918. 

Orr was demobilised in July 1919 and was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Orr re-joined the Northern Bank on 5th August 1919 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Saintfield (1919 - Cashier), Ballymoney (1922 - Cashier), Head Office (1923), Relief (1926), Letter Dept. (1927), Ballynahinch (1930 - Pro Manager), Donegall Square (1943 - pro Manager) and Armoy (1943 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Saintfield branch (probable new build)

Northern Bank, Ballymoney (to right of larger Belfast Bank)

Northern Bank, Ballynahinch branch (tall building on left)

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch (tall building in centre)

Northern Bank, Armoy branch

Orr married Mary King at Raffrey Presbyterian Church on 13th October 1921.

Sadly, Mary Orr died aged 30 on 12th May 1924 at 35 Greenville Street, Bloomfield, Belfast.

Orr married again in January 1927 to a Miss Elizabeth Bradley.

The Ballymena Weekly Telegraph published on 27th July 1945 a report that Mr & Mrs Samuel Orr, Northern Bank House, Armoy attended an investiture at Buckingham Place to receive from HM the King, the posthumous award of the George Medal to their son, Sub-Lieutenant Ronald Orr, RN (see below) who was killed near Dieppe (Le Treport) on 8th November 1944.

George Medal to Sub-Lieutenant Ronald Orr RN

Ronald Orr is remembered on the 'Ulster Division RNVR' roll of honour.

[Photo courtesy of Nigel Henderson]

The Belfast News Letter of 24th January 1946 reported the wedding of Miss Molly Orr, daughter of Mr & Mrs S Orr, Northern Bank House, Armoy.

Marriage of Miss Molly Orr

Marriage of Miss Molly Orr (Northern Whig)

Lucinda Orr, Samuel's mother died on 12th October 1950. The press notice quoted Samuel Orr as being the manager of Northern Bank, Holywood.

Northern Bank, Holywood branch (with gable windows)

Samuel Orr retired on pension on 31st October 1955.

Sub-Lieutenant Ronald Mervyn Orr, RNVR

Ronald Orr was educated at Belfast High School and Queen's University, Belfast.

Ronald Orr (22) 'Died of Wounds' on 8th November 1944 whilst serving in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on the shore base HMS Odyssey. Personnel held on its accounts would have been involved in the clearing of recently captured enemy ports among other Combined Operations Duties.

 

Photo courtesy of j. n. houterman via Nigel Henderson

The Royal Navy Death Register records Cause of Death as "Syncope following laceration of left ventricle" and refers to Le Treport as the place of death.

He is buried in the 46 DIEPPE CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY, HAUTOT-SUR-MER, France.

On 13th March 1945, the London Gazette published his award details:

Awarded for Bomb/Mine Disposal - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36979/supplement/1381

The Ballymena Weekly Telegraph reported:

Ballymena Weekly Telegraph - 27th July 1945

Sub-Lieutenant R M Orr, GM, RNVR - CWGC Headstone details

Ronald Mervyn Orr is commemorated on a family memorial in Dundonald Cemetery, the only burial in the plot being Mary Orr, who died at 35 Greenville Street on 12th May 1924. This would be Samuel Orr's first wife - Samuel Orr (Bank Official) married Mary King on 13th October 1921 at Raffrey Presbyterian Church.

Headstone of Mary (Molly) Young nee Orr that also commemorates R M Orr

He is also commemorated on the following memorials:

• Ballynahinch War Memorial, 
• Queen's University War Memorial, 
• QUB Officers' Training Corps Memorial Tablet 
• Edengrove Presbyterian Church (Ballynahinch) Memorial Tablet
• Ballymoney Royal British Legion War Memorial

In addition to the memorial tablets in Armoy Presbyterian Church, there is a set of Offering Plates that commemorate Sub-Lieutenant Ronald Mervyn Orr, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Acknowledgements to Nigel Henderson for information on R M Orr.

Orr, Frederick William

Lieutenant Frederick William Orr

Orr was born at Loughgall, Co. Armagh on 24th May 1887 to Samuel Henry Orr, Postmaster and Mary Albin Orr nee Orr. They had married on 7th July 1885 at Loughgall. Both came from farming families in the area.

 

On 14th June 1905, Orr joined Northern Bank at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

 

Transfer followed to Ballinamore (1905 - Junior) and Downpatrick (1907 - Junior & Accountant). 

Northern Bank, Ballinamore branch

Northern Bank, Downpatrick branch (branded as Danske Bank)

In 1911, Orr is boarding in house 17, Church Street, Downpatrick, Co. Down. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. A possible colleague, James Acheson Barrett (19 – Bank Clerk) is also boarding in this house.

His parents are residing in house 20 in Maghery Glebe (Maghery, Donegal). Orr's occupation is recorded as a Church of Ireland Rector.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, a Frederick William Orr signed the Ulster Covenant at the City Hall, Belfast giving his address as 210A Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast.

Orr played golf in the first Northern Bank golf outing on 21st March 1913 at Dunmurry:

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie

On 8th December 1915, 28 year old Frederick Orr volunteered and enlisted into the Cadet Company, 19th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. Promotion to 2nd Lieutenant followed. His first theatre of war was to Salonika with the Salonica Expeditionary Force from 5th February 1918. He was later posted to the 6th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and promoted to Lieutenant. Service was seen in Gaza (Beersheba) and Palestine. 

F W Orr - Medal Index Card 

with his address annotated as

 Northern Bank, Whitehead branch

Orr received a gunshot wound to the knee and subsequently lost his right leg. A Pension Card records his wounds as a 'gun shot wound to the left leg (ampt presumably amputated)'.

F W Orr - Pension Card 

with his address annotated 

as Northern Bank, Donegall Square, Belfast

Demobilisation came in November 1919 when he was invalided out of the service. He was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal for service in the Great War.

Frederick Orr re-joined the Northern Bank on 24th November 1919 at Head Office. He was allowed 1 years seniority. Transfers followed with Donegall Square (1920 - Accountant), Royal Avenue (1923 - Pro-Manager), refused Portaferry (1926) and Whitehead (1934 - Manager). 

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Northern Bank, Whitehead branch

Frederick Orr retired from the bank on 31st December 1950 and died at Moyle hospital on 24th July 1954. He is buried in Islandmagee New Cemetery. He had been a member of Chichester R.A.C. No. 313 and was Vice President of the Royal British Legion, Whitehead branch.

The Belfast Telegraph published on 5th February 1955 reported in their Ulster Will column that F W Orr of 70 Cable Road, Whitehead left £23,147 with legacies of £1,500 to Dr Barnardo's Homes and £100 to the RNLI.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (August 1981)’ contains a photograph of Frederick in a 1913 Northern Bank Staff Golf outing. 

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (August 1980)’ contains a photograph of Frederick in Royal Avenue branch in 1930.