Alexander, George

2nd Lieutenant George Alexander

was born at 37 Lavinia Street, Belfast on 8th April 1897 to Francis Alexander, Clerk and Charlotte Alexander nee Galbraith. They had married on 11th March 1896 at Albert Bridge Independent Church, Belfast. Francis was the first son of a 7th son.  

In 1901 George (3) was living in house 8, St. Ives Gardens, Cromac, Belfast with his parents and sister, Fanny Galbraith (2). 

By 1911 the family had moved to house 5, Stranmillis Park, Belfast. 

George applied to join the Northern Bank in 1912. He received a letter from the bank advising him that he had been successful in an examination held on 30th October 1912.

Later he attended a medical examination with a Dr Victor George Leopold Fielden of 84 Dublin Road, Belfast at a cost of 10/6 (£0.52.5). In the 1911 census, Dr Fielden described himself as a Medical Practitioner, Anaesthetist, Queen's University Belfast.

George started the bank at Head Office on 26th November 1912.  He was of Independent faith. 

In 1915 he enlisted as a Private into the 17th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles (Cadet Company) aged 18. 

On 5th August 1916 he was promoted to a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant with the 17th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. His Warrant from the King is pictured below. The front of the document is dated 28th August 1916.

Within the actual warrant, it has been dated as 26th August 1916 (within the seventh year of the reign of King George V).

Later he was posted to the 6^th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. George later served with the Salonica Expeditionary Force and was later promoted to Lieutenant. He saw action at Struma River (Macedonia).   

On 24th October 1916, George became a Prisoner of War in Bulgaria. The Belfast News Letter of 13th December 1916 reports:

 

George was released from being a Prisoner of War in 1918 and returned to the United Kingdom. A printed letter from the King dated 1918 was sent to him 'welcoming him on his release'. The envelope and letter are pictured below:

 

Following demobilisation, George re-joined the Northern Bank on 14th April 1919 and was posted to Newry branch. 

Transfers followed to Head Office (1921), Randalstown (1921) and Royal Avenue (1923). Whilst based in Royal Avenue branch, George studied for his Institute of Bankers in Ireland examinations. On 15th June 1926, Edwin D Hill (director and author of the Northern Banking Company Centenary Volume 1824 to 1924) wrote a hand written letter to George giving unofficial notice of his examination result.

On 26th June 1926, the bank wrote to George and congratulated him on securing first place in the preliminary examination. He received a cheque for £15 15/- (£15.75).

During 1930 George applied to join the Irish Bank Officials' Association (IBOA) Medical Benefits Fund and was accepted in a letter dated 9th December 1930.  The letter was addressed to Alexander at Head Office.

Later transfers were to Head Office (1930), Londonderry (1931), Head Office (1931) and Shaftesbury Square (1931). 

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

On 27th August 1931, George was found dead (poisoned by gas) at 5 Stranmillis Park, Belfast.  This was his sister’s residence. The 1918 Belfast Street Directory records ‘F Alexander’ as living at that address. He is buried in plot L1 16 in Belfast City Cemetery with his parents who had previously died in 1909 (Charlotte) and 1924 (Francis).

'ALSO THEIR SON GEORGE

DIED 27TH AUGUST 1931'

The Belfast News-Letter of 31st August 1931 included this tribute to George in a cricket sports column:

The Belfast News-Letter of 29th September 1931 included this tribute to George in a hockey sports column:

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Summer 1978)’ contains a photograph of George appearing in the Northern Bank Cricket Team of 1928.

Additional family information has been kindly supplied by Charlie Alexander.