Antrim R2

REMEMBERANCE DAY 614
This photograph which was taken in 1919, captured the first ever Rememberance Day service at riverside in Antrim. Before the construction of the Cenotaph at the Forum, the service was held at Riverside - and, indeed, you can just make out the Sixmilewater river in the background behind the men lining the wall. Attending the service were the armed forces, the Girl Guides with their hats and local people. Memories of the horrors of the war were still painfully raw, and there was a large turnout to pay respects to the brave locals who paid the supreme sacrifice.

RIVERSIDE 1165
Once again here we are in Riverside and this is Bob Lynn, Thompson Clarke, Bill Bennett and Charlie (Chuckie) Clarke. Now Charlie remembers when you had to go to the water pump for the water and though it was only 20 yards away from their house.
Charlie moaned when it was his turn for he thought it was too far away!

RIVERSIDE 2517
Here in the back garden of her home in Riverside back in 1959 we have Betty McMillan aged three holding Joan Kelly's hand for the photograph. When you look at Betty in the photograph she still has that lovely smile and the twinkle in her eye!

RIVERSIDE 1107
Getting their photograph taken at Riverside in 1949, at the back is Sally George, Rita Clarke and Elsie Jackson. In front of them are Jackie Trimble, Charlie (Chuckie) Clarke or should we say Blondie? Then finally George Murphy.
In the background you can see Billy Fleming the milkman having a cuddle with his girlfreind at the time Martha Knox.

ROYAL NAVY 789
This Royal Naval photograph taken in 1940 of brave young men has brothers in it who are twins, they are Herbert and Albert French first on the left in the front row. The Royal Navy merchant cruiser HMS Rajputana was torpedoed by a German submarine in the North Atlantic on the13th April 1941. 40 men were lost that day and 277 were rescued by other warships 4 hours after the ship went down. One of those rescued was 22 year old Herbert French from Randalstown who had been in the Navy for 3 years. In a cruel twist of fate just two weeks later Herbert's twin brother Albert who had been in the Navy one year was killed when his ship, the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond, was sunk by a German air attack south of Greece in the Eastern Mediterranean. There were no survivors

ROUND TOWER 201
Photographed slightly to the side you can still see the door and two of the windows the photograph has been coloured by the photographer. The tower then was in the grounds of Major G.F.Cavendish-Clarke of the 108th Infantry Brigade,Ulster Division.
In 1927 the Major sold it along with his Steeple Residence which consisted of 4 reception rooms, 7 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a closet. Ample culinary and servants' apartments, central heating, electric light, garage and stabling to Mr.Samuel Fawcett who owned the Antrim Arms Hotel in High Street. Date of the photograph is unknown.

ROYAL IRISH RIFLES 1245
Taken during the Great War conflict these men are from the 18th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles, they and the year are unknown.

RAM'S ISLAND 539
Here we have a group of unknown visitors arriving at Lord O'Neill's holiday cottage on Ram's Island. The beauty spot, which lies in Lough Neagh near Crumlin, was a popular destination - particularly in the Victorian age. It was maintained by fisherman Robert Cardwell in the foreground fixing his nets and his wife Jane, who lived there for over 50 years. Robert, who was well-known across the district with his flowing white beard, died in 1929, and Jane followed him home three years later at the grand old age of 102. Since then this grand old cottage has fallen into ruin, like the partially destroyed round tower which stands beside it but remains an important artefact of a bygone age. The year is unknown.

RAM'S ISLAND 1329
Although this is not a great photographwhich was taken in the early 1900's it does give you an idea of how the Summer house was on Rams Island. Look at the main door and the feature above it, then to the arched windows and most likely the family crest in between. The man on the left is Robert Cardwell who lived on the island and looked after the place with his wife Jane. The next man is unknown but the other man is Lord O'Neill.

ROYAL ENNISKILLEN FUSILIERS 1632
Smiling for the camera is this bunch of lads from the Royal Enniskillen Fusiliers during the WWI.
The only one known is Budgie McCabe and he is second from the right behind the first lad lying down. Budgie sent this photograph home in the form of a postcard. They hadn't been to the front yet so did not know the horrors that awaited them and when you look at this photograph many of them would be become that horror and the horrors of a telegram on the doorstep. Budgie survived the war and spent the rest of his life in America.

RATHMORE PRIMARY SCHOOL 1117
This is Rathmore Primary School in 1964 getting their school photograph taken.
Back row: has Mrs Black (Principal), Master Heron, John Graham, Terry Armour, Harold Herron, Sidney O'Neill, Unknown and Mrs Patterson.
Middle row: has Master Topping, Adrian Fee, Elizabeth O'Neill, Roslin McDowell, Heather Green, Hiram Fletcher, Raymond O'Neill, Billy Beatie, William Clancie, Thomas Glasgow, David Clarke, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Betty McMillan, Unknown and Kathleen Wallace. - - - - - - - - - - - - Seated: at the front are Master Topping(younger brother), David McMillan, Angeline Ferguson, Miss Herron, Master McNeilly, James Thompson, Paul Lowry, Melvin Armour, Unknown, Anne Pattison,Davis Pattison, Catherine Clarke and Unknown.

RAILWAY STREET 920
These young lads of a Junior lodge in Railway Street getting their photograph taken in the front row (from left) are James Nicholl, Sam McKee, Alex Scott, Tommy Hannan, Cortney Mawhinney, seated in front Ernie Whiteside, Miss Bell who looked after them, Billy McIlroy, William Mawhinney, Unknown, Roy McCalister and Alex Hamill. Behing them we have Unknown, then Joe Black and at the back Tom McMeekin, Eddie Barr, Willie Longsley, Master Dunlop, Sammy Taylor, Jim Scott, Billy Anderson, Tommy Lyttle, Billy Scott and George Fleming. The year is unknown.

RAILWAY STREET 469
This is Railway Street 1952 and what a difference from today, you can see there are two houses on the street. The Lambeg drummers are walking towards High Street, behind them the lodge is unknown. To the left is a Volkswagen and a Morris Minor car also there is John Kirk's business.

RENTON PORTRAIT 870
Any quesses who this well-heeled Antrim gent is? I'll give you a clue: The classy product that made him a household name around town. Yes, this is Robert Renton who ran a very successful boot merchant's shop beside the Orr School for many years.
This striking portrait was taken at the Turnbull & Sons studio on Garfield Street in Belfast back in 1936.

RATHMORE PRIMARY SCHOOL 1264
This school photograph taken in 1889 is unique in that the building was not built to be a school but as a blacksmith's. When it became empty a Mr John Boals gave it to the education as there was not a school in the area. It is of Rathmore Primary School and sadly I have no names.
I'm presuming that the gentleman at the end is the Headmaster with his wife, next to her is a teacher along with the other lady on the left.

RAM'S ISLAND 1328
This is the Cardwell cottage which was their home on Rams Island.The couple moved to the island in 1883 and were occasionally joined in the summer months by Lord O'Neill and his guests who stayed in a grand old holiday cottage. Robert died in 1929, and Jane followed him home 1933 at the grand old age of 102. Robert Cardwell is on the right in 1890 and Mary Ann Lyttle is next to him, the two visitors are unknown. On the wall are various implements including two animal skins. The year is unknown.

RIVERSIDE TEXTILES LIMITED 3528
Here we are inside Riverside Textiles Limited in Antrim, sadly the two men are unkown but you can see they are making a new design.

RIVERSIDE TEXTILES LIMITED 3529
This is Brian McKee, his brother Alex McKee and Walter Kyles, all from Antrim are showing one of the processes. Behind them is a silk screen which has been stretched so it will fit on to the frame they are holding.

REID WEDDING 1641
Pictured on the steps after their wedding at the Church of Ireland, Templepatrick on the 29th July 1929.
- -- - - - - - - Back row: has the Rev Turner then Billy Nixon, Unknown and Unknown. - - - - - - - Middle row: is Unknown, Unknown, Rev Newell and Elsie Reid. The row behind has Unknown, - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -Unknown, William Nixon, Unknown and Joe Kell. - - - - - -- - - - - -- Front Row: on the left the Groom Hugh Reid with his Bride Susan Nixon, then the bridesmaid Ester Nixon and best man Walter Reid.

RIVERSIDE 1732
It's 1935 and we are beside the Sixmilewater river at riverside where these children are getting their photograph taken. At the back on the left is Ena Fleming, Rona Fleming and James Fleming. In front are Elsie Jackson, Harry Fleming and Mary Fleming.

RAILWAY STREET 619
Railway Street in the 60's going by the lady who is wearing either a micro skirt or hot pants.
Perhaps the lady or her daughter who is beside can tell me who they are. On the right is the corner of the Ulster Bar, to the left the first shop is Kuality 60 mins Dry Cleaners, next is Flashy Fare, then Terry's, two more shops then the Protestant Hall.

REID WEDDING 1713
This lovely wedding photograph is of Jim Reid and his beautiful Bride Marrion, who lived most of their lives in Antrim.This was taken at Mount Norris Presbyterain Church in Glenn Anne Co. Armagh, Isn't Marrion's bouquet of red roses beautiful and so was her wedding dress. Anyone watch "Grey's Anatomy"? if you do take a second look at Marrion.

ROAD SAFETY 1649
These three children who have received a cup and awards in the Road Safety campaign in 1966 are unknown. The only two people known is the lady with the hat who is the well known Painter/Artist Gladys McCabe and at the end Max McCabe also an Artist.

ROAD SAFETY 1650
Visiting the Antrim Road Safety campaign we have not one but two Queens, the first one on the left next to Ferguson Grainger is the Antrim Dairy Queen who is unknown. So is the other one who was the Ulster Dairy Queen, next to her is also unknown and also the boy. Now squeezed in between the two girls is Jarvis Campbell father of J. Campbell of J.K.Nurseries.

R.N.A.D. FOOTBALL TEAM 1746
Getting ready to play in the semi-final of the Rangers Cup we have R.N.A.D. football team. The manager is Leslie McCullough and the rest of the players are Eugene Gregg, Kenny Brownlees, Gordon Bell, Charlie Harrigan, Ronnie McNeilly, Billy Donnelly, Desmond Kelly, Adian Shaw, Jimmy Duffy, Adian Mullan, Liam Surgeoner and Ivan McClelland.

REA'S GROCERY STORE 1861
This idyllic photograph was taken in 1962 by the N.I. Tourist Board and was on sale throughout N.I. as a postcard. The cottage being thatched was not only Mrs Rea's home but also the local grocery store, it was on the Dublin Road out of Antrim at Millers Bridge. The Thatcher repairing the roof was local man Fred Campbell who was in great demand back then.

RACERS 1013
These two young boyo's Billy Caulfield and Alex Agnew were famous for racing around on their tricycles back in 1947 There was no problem about traffic back then on the Ballybentra road at Dunadry.

DAWN RANTIN 1948
This beautiful baby photograph is of Dawn Rantin at a very tender age. I believe it is her birthday is in April, but my lips are sealed as Dawn is still in her tender years!

SAM REA 2765
Here we have a well dressed young man having his photograph taken in a studio, it is Sam Rea whose family owned Rea's Sawmill in Castle Street, Antrim. Sam must have been on holiday with his family for the photograph was taken by L. Alistair of 8 Main Street Torquay.

ANNA REA 2092
This studio photograph of Anna Rea was taken in Portrush in 1933.
Anna who was 12 at the time with her long hair and her dress nicely ironed must have been on holiday for she was born at Glenmullion in Antrim,
Anna later in life went on to marry and become a Heath.

REA's SAW MILL 972
Standing like the boss in the middle of Rea's Saw Mill in Castle Street in 1914 is young Robert Crawford Rea who's parents were David and Martha Rea. Robert went on to become a director in the business.

REA's SAWMILL 1150
These workers and Staff from Samuel Rea Sawmill were photographed in the yard in 1939.
Back row: has J. Jackson, W. Knox, R. Armour, D. McDowell and W. Scott.
Third row: has E. Shannon, A. Scott, R. Wallace, J. Parker, W. McDowell and J. Jackson.
Second row: we have J. Gray, A. Taylor, J. Spiers, N. Wallace, P. Doole, B. Shannon and W. Taylor.
Front row: are T. Scott, T. Rea, W. Wallace, R. Cleghorn, R. Simpson, J. Blair and S. Jackson.