MAJOR FREDERICK ROBERT ARMSTRONG HYNDS M.C.
Served with: 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles
Awards: Military Cross; Mentioned in Despatches
Lodge(s): Blue banner LOL No. 1942; Fernhill Temperance LOL No. 1388; Star of the East LOL No. 802; Cross of St. Patrick LOL No. 688. Deputy Grand Master, Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.
Frederick Robert Armstrong Hynds was born in Belfast on 26 January 1903. At the age of 20 he joined the 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles. He progressed through the ranks quickly going from Lance Corporal to Sergeant in a few years and was variously stationed in Germany, Egypt and Hong Kong. At the outbreak of WWII in 1939, Hynds received his commission, which was a Lieutenancy ‘at sea’ and by 1941 he had been promoted to Captain, further being promoted to Major in 1944.
On the evening of 6th June, Major Hynds and the 1st Btn. Royal Ulster Rifles were carried into battle in Horsa gliders - landing near Ranville, north east of Caen several miles from the coast.
Their objective was to help enlarge the southern sector of the bridgehead by capturing the villages of Longueval and Sainte Honorine.
After landing, with little regard to his personal safety, he exposed himself to artillery fire to encourage his men and to aid in the evacuation of the wounded.
Further, on the 7 June, Hynds assisted in the evacuation of wounded men from an aid post at Longueval. He did not seek safety until all his men and wounded had been evacuated. For his actions, Hynds received the Military Cross and was Mentioned in Despatches in 1944.
Prior to his military service, Hynds had been a member of Blue Banner LOL No. 1942, Belfast District No. 1, and later of Fernhill Temperance LOL No. 1338 in Belfast District No. 2. During his service in Hong Kong he was a member of Star of the East LOL No. 802 and was Worshipful Master for a period.
After the end of WWII, Hynds returned to Ulster and was a founding member of Cross of St. Patrick LOL No. 688. In due course, Hynds became a Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. He died on 16 July 1983.
