There are many famous people from Portadown, artists, TV presenters, sporting heroes and war heroes.
One of the most famous is Gloria Hunniford who has been a TV and radio star for decades and appears on many top shows such as Loose Women, This Morning and The One Show.
Also actors Richard Dormer and Jude Hill, war heroes Anne Acheson and Dr Isobel Addey Tate, sporting heroes Rory Best, Mary Peters and Ronnie McFall as well as many talented individuals.
Also actors Richard Dormer and Jude Hill, war heroes Anne Acheson and Dr Isobel Addey Tate, sporting heroes Rory Best, Mary Peters and Ronnie McFall as well as many talented individuals.
17. Isobel Addey Tate was a doctor and only woman to be included in Queen's University Roll of Honour and War memorial for her services in World War 1
Isobel Addey Tate (1 May 1875 – 28 January 1917) was a medical doctor who served overseas and was the only woman to be included in the Queen's University Belfast Roll of Honour and War memorial for her services in World War I. Tate was born to John Tate and Isabella Cherry on 1 May 1875 in Portadown, a merchant and Methodist family. She completed her matriculation at Queen's College Belfast about 1893 and graduated with a medical degree in 1899. After the outbreak of World War I Tate joined The Serbian Relief Fund which created dispensaries in Serbia to treat the local population. Tate was in charge of the x-ray department in Serbia. In 1916 Tate volunteered for service with the Royal Army Medical Corps and left for Malta on 24 August 1916. She worked in the military hospitals there but on 28 January 1917 she died at Victoria Junction, Sliema, Malta. The inscription on her grave in Pieta, Malta reads: 'In memory of Isobel Addy Tate, MD, DPH, attached Royal Army Medical Corps who died 28th January 1917 while working for the sick and wounded at Valletta Military Hospital'. Her name is also included on a memorial to members of Lancashire County Offices staff "who gave their lives for King and Country in the Great War", at County Hall, Preston. Photo: Unknown
18. Anne Crawford Acheson was one of the many women who chose to serve their country during World War 1.
Anne Crawford Acheson was born in Portadown the daughter of Harriet and John Acheson. She excelled academically and was awarded a free studentship to the Royal College of Art in London. After obtaining a diploma in sculpture, Anne set up a studio in Chelsea where she specialised in garden sculptures, some of which were exhibited at the Royal Academy. However, with the outbreak of war, Anne volunteered with the Surgical Requisites Association (SRA) which was established to develop and supply surgical techniques and equipment for the treatment of wounded soldiers. Anne, with an expert knowledge of the human anatomy from her interest in drawing and sculpting, invented the first anatomically accurate splints, which helped the broken bones of soldiers to heal better. Constructed initially from papier mâché made from sugar bags and later Plaster of Paris, Acheson’s splints were comfortable, lightweight and cost-effective. Moulded around the injury of an individual; the custom made splints also ensured that bones were held in the correct position to properly heal. In recognition of her work which healed so many; Anne was awarded the CBE in February 1919; an award given to ordinary civilians for extraordinary war work. Her influence lives on as Plaster of Paris splints continue to be universally used for the treatment of broken bones. Photo: Image obtained from Neil Faris, owner of the Acheson archive.