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Hubert Taylor Mackay (1877-1953)


Bank cashier from famous Durham carpet-making family served in the Royal Naval Air Service


Hubert Taylor Mackay was born on 15-Nov-1877 in Durham City. He was the first born child of Hugh Mackay (1850-1924) from Durham City and Hannah Taylor (1855-1925) from Blanchland. Hubert was born into a famous and illustrious Durham family as his father established the carpet manufacturing company known as Hugh Mackay Ltd. Hugh Mackay started work for Henderson’s Worsted and Carpet Manufactory in Walkergate at the age of 12. During 42 years of employment he worked his way up to become the manager of the carpet works. In 1903, Henderson’s was sold and most of the workforce, including Hugh, were made redundant. He responded by leasing some of the buildings and equipment and setting up his own factory which, by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, was known as a producer of some of the best quality carpets in Britain.

At the time of the 1881 census, Hubert was living with his father and mother in Mowbray Street, Durham. They were joined by two further sons, Godfrey Robson (1882-1951) and Laurence Hugh (1885-1966). At both the 1891 and 1901 censuses the family were living in Albert Street, Western Hill, Durham. In 1901, both Hubert and Godfrey were working as Bankers Clerks while Laurence was an Apprentice in a Locomotive Works. The brothers continued the career paths established at this time. Hubert and Godfrey both became Bank Managers later in life. Laurence worked his way up in the carpet works until he jointly managed the firm with his father and took over its running when he died.

In 1911, Hubert was living in the Austria and Elizabeth House, Hambro Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight and was described as working as a Bank Accountant. In 1915 he married Winifred Emma Turner in Wincanton in Somerset and their son Hugh Turner Mackay was born in Durham on 10-Mar-1917. Almost four months later Hubert joined the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) on 12-Jul-1917 at which time his civilian occupation was given as Bank Cashier. He was given the service number F33372, the rank of Aircraftman 2nd grade and the Navy trade of Writer. He spent his first month of service at Crystal Palace in London and was then posted to Eastchurch in Kent where he spent the rest of the war. Eastchurch was a training aerodrome also known as the Naval Flying School, Eastchurch. On completing his first six months service Hubert was promoted to Aircraftman 1st grade.

On 01-Apr-1918 the Royal Air Force (RAF) was formed by combining the RNAS and the Army’s Royal Flying Corps (RFC) into a single unified air service. Like most RNAS men Hubert transferred to this new service. He was given his equivalent grade in the new structure which was Clerk and his service number was updated to 233372. His station was transferred to the RAF and was renamed RAF Eastchurch. During the last few months of the War, No. 204 Training Depot Station, the 64th (Naval) Wing and the 58th (Training) Wing were based at Eastchurch. Hubert was promoted to Acting Corporal Clerk on 11-Jul-1918 exactly one year after he first joined the RNAS. He remained at this rank in Eastchurch until he left the RAF via Ripon Dispersal Camp on 03-Feb-1919. He was transferred to the RAF G Reserve on 10-Mar-1919 and deemed finally discharged from service and no longer likely to be recalled on 30-Apr-1920.

His service record on discharge shows his wife’s address as 11 Western Hill, Durham which was his parents address at the time of the 1911 census. When his father died in 1924 Hubert is recorded as working as a Bank Accountant. When his mother died in 1925 he is shown as being a Bank Manager. At some point he moved to Harrogate where he died on 04-Jan-1953 at the age of 86. His wife Winifred died in Berkshire in 1965 at which time her son is described as working as an Aircraft Engineer.

Hubert Taylor Mackay was awarded the British War Medal for his service in World War One

Civil Parish: Durham

Birth date: 15-Nov-1877

Death date: 04-Jan-1953

Armed force/civilian: Air Force

Residence: Mowbray Street, Durham (1881 census)
Albert Street, Durham (1891 and 1901 census)
Austria and Elizabeth House, Hambro Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight (1911 census)
11 Western Hill, Durham ( 1919 RAF Discharge Address)
6 Park Edge, Harrogate, Yorkshire (1953 Probate Record)

Military service:

Enlisted in Royal Naval Air Service, F33372, Aircraftman 2nd grade, 12-Jul-1917
Promoted to Aircraftman 1st grade 12-Jan-1918
Transferred to Royal Air Force, 233372, Clerk 2nd class, 01-Apr-1918
Promoted to Acting Corporal Clerk, 11-Jul-1918
Discharged to RAF G Reserve 10-Mar-1919

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham

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