THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Ulster born Vice-Admiral, surgeon and others citizens recognised in birthday honours

From the News Letter, June 12, 1947
Admiralty Arch, LondonAdmiralty Arch, London
Admiralty Arch, London

The birthday honours list had been published the previous day reported the News Letter on this day in 1947.

Among those honoured by the British monarch were several Ulstermen and women.

Vice-Admiral W R Patterson, CB, CVO, CBE was honoured with the KCB.

The News Letter noted of Vice-Admiral Patterson: “The youngest son of the late Mr W R Patterson of Windsor Avenue, Belfast. He commanded the battleship King George V in the early years of the war and was engaged in action against the Bismarck. In 1943 he was appointed Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty and an Assistant Chief of Staff.”

Another Ulsterman recognised in the birthday honours of 1947 was Mr Samuel Thompson Irwin, MCh, FRCS, the chairman of the Northern Ireland Medical War Committee.

The News Letter commented: “One of Ulster’s leading surgeons. Mr Irwin is a native of County Londonderry and was educated at Foyle College and Queen’s University, Belfast. He has been a surgeon for many years to the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Belfast Hospital for Children and Women, of which he is president. He is a member of the Senate and the Standing Committee of Queen’s University, and has held office as president of the Ulster Medical Society and the Northern Ireland branch of the British Medical Association. He has been president of the Central Presbyterian Association since 1943.”

Meanwhile, Mr Jeanie Boyd, JP, of High Street in Donaghadee had been recognised with an MBE.

Of Mrs Boyd the News Letter noted: “[She] has raised large sums of money in Donaghadee for local and national charities. The first woman to hold office as chairman of the urban council, she was elected three times, and she has been chairman of the Food Control Committee and of the ATC Welfare Committee and president of the Donaghadee Tennis Club. She is also honorary commandant of the 12th Detachment British Red Cross and was first WVS organiser in Donaghadee.”

A further recipient of an MBE was Mr Francis Norman Colthurst of De Burgh Terrace in Londonderry. A native of Cork he had been the manager of the Londonderry Employment Exchange since 1938 after held the post of deputy manager of the exchange since 1929.

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