A Decorated Hero.

Patrick Bryan Adair was born in Duncairn Street in January 1890 to watchmaker and jeweller William Houston Adair and his wife Mary Moffatt. In 1901 he can be found aged 11, living at 73 North Queen Street with his widowed mother and his three older sisters Jane, Elizabeth and Grace.

He married Sarah Spence in St Stephen’s Church of Ireland in January 1910, and his daughter Elizabeth was born later that year. In April of 1911, he was listed as a machinist living at Greenmount Street in Belfast, his wife and baby living elsewhere. Just a few months later he joined the Belfast Fire Brigade, signing the Ulster Covenant at Central Fire Station in 1912.

When war broke out in 1914, he enlisted in the Motor Machine Gun Service, serving as Battery Sergeant Major. He was Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished conduct at Hill 60 during the second battle of Ypres, and for valuable service as a Machine Gun instructor. He went on to be awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his role in the advance in July 1916.

Firemen serving with the forces had their positions kept open for them until the war ended, and he returned to his role in the Service.

According to William Broadhurst, author of The Flaming Truth, Patrick was a dedicated Officer and a Graduate Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers. He had been promoted to the rank of Third Officer in the Brigade in February 1932 and subsequently to the position of District Officer when the ranks were revised in 1936.

In 1941, Patrick was at a meeting of the Pioneers Masonic Lodge No. 420, where he was Treasurer, when he collapsed and died of a heart attack. He was only 50 years old. Patrick was buried from his home in Ardoyne Fire Station, and his coffin was carried by his fellow firemen. The auxiliary fireman formed a guard of honour as he left the Fire Station.

Promotion in the Fire Service

Great War Hero

Remembrance

Patrick is buried in Belfast City Cemetery. He is remembered by Alexandra Presbyterian and he also appears on the Roll of Honour for York Street Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church.