Frederick Mitchel

Bank: Ulster Bank

Place of work: Lurgan branch

Died: 24 November 1917

Frederick David Mitchel was born in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, on 16 August 1889, the son of the Reverend Samuel Cuthbert Mitchel and his wife Isabella. He was educated at Portora Royal School in Enniskillen, after which he went to work for Ulster Bank.

In May 1915 Mitchel left his job as accountant at the bank's Lurgan branch to join the army, obtaining a commission in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. He transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers in October 1916, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in June 1917.

After two years training at home, Mitchel was posted to Belgium in June 1917. Following fighting at Langemarck, he was promoted to the rank of Captain in the Royal Irish Fusiliers in October 1917, and then moved south to Cambrai. He was wounded by machine gun fire as he led his men through Moeuvres on 23 November, and died in a French casualty clearing station the following day, 24 November 1917. He was 28 years old.

Mitchel's Colonel later wrote, 'He was, I think, my best company commander, and I miss him badly. He was such a good fellow, always cheerful and popular with every officer and man who served with him. His men would have followed him anywhere.'

His obituary in Ulster Bank's staff magazine reflected, 'What an awful blow when we learned he had died of wounds ... especially as we had received but two days previously such a bright and cheery letter in which he spoke of the certainty of an early cessation of hostilities ... The nation has lost a valiant soldier, the bank a useful official while the staff mourns the loss of a noble and faithful comrade.'

Frederick Mitchel is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the First World War and its memorial for those who fell.