McCrum, Robert Cowan

Lieutenant Robert Cowan McCrum

was born at Kilgreel, Templepatrick, Co. Antrim on 31st May 1892 to Samuel McCrum, Farmer and Elizabeth McCrum nee Birkmyre. They had married on 21st June 1874 at Templepatrick Presbyterian Church.

Samuel McCrum died on 11th February 1897 at Kilgreel.

In 1901 Robert (8) was living in house 8, Kilgreel, Craigarogan, Antrim with his mother and 6 siblings; William (25), Samuel (24), Mary (21), James (17), Agnes (15) and Lizzie (13). 

Robert joined Northern Bank on 2nd May 1910 at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Transfers followed with Keady (1910 - Junior), Ramelton (1911 - Junior) and Londonderry (1912 - Cash Book).

Northern Bank, Keady branch

Northern Bank, Ramelton branch

  In 1911 Robert was boarding with the Watson family (of 8) in house 2, Crossmore, Co. Armagh.  

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Whilst based in Londonderry, Robert aged 23, volunteered and enlisted on 15th December 1915 into the Cadet Company, 19th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles as a Private with Service Number 6843. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from October 1915.

R C McCrum - Medal Index Card

He was later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and served in the 19th, 10th and 1st battalions. The Northern Bank 1924 Centenary book records Robert's service as Messines 1917, Ypres 1917, St. Quentin 1918 and the Allied Advance 1918. 

Robert was injured once with a gunshot wound. As a result of his injury a Pension Record card was opened and the injury was recorded as a gunshot wound to his right arm. The pension started on 11th July 1917, 1 day after he was discharged.

R C McCrum - Pension Record Card

The Belfast News Letter of 27th August 1917 reports:

He was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

R C McCrum - Medal Roll 1

R C McCrum - Medal Roll 2

The bank Staff Record card states that Robert re-joined the bank in February 1919 at Londonderry branch (cashier, Accountant & Sub-Manager). It is probable that he was recuperating from his injuries from mid 1917 to early 1919.

On 25 October 1921, a Temporary Lieutenant R C McCrum was gazetted and retained the rank of Lieutenant in the Royal Ulster Rifles. 

On 20th July 1922 Robert married a Miss Wightman at Londonderry.

Transfers followed to Omagh (1932 - Manager), Kilrea (1941 - Manager) and Connswater (1948 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Omagh branch

Northern Bank, Kilrea branch

Robert McCrum retired on pension on 30th June 1955 and died on 15th January 1969. He is buried in the Agherton Cemetery, Portstewart.

Alan McCrum, a descendent of R C McCrum attended the 2000 re-dedication ceremony of the Rolls of Honour.