Northern Banking Company Limited - European War - 1914

Northern Banking Company Limited - European War - 1914

At some stage, Northern Bank published a list of all the men who were serving (or had been killed),

It is reproduced below with kind permission of Charlie Alexander (descendant of Lt George Alexander).

Northern Bank Golf Outing - 21st March 1913 - Dunmurry

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie

Amongst this group of golfers are a few officials who would later swap golf clubs for rifles.

• Herbert John Blythe
• John Lindsay Ferris
• William Thompson Ferris
• John Wesley Harrip
• James Alexander Henderson
• James Martin
• Frederick William Orr
• Henry Pringle Wilson
• William Weir

Revels, David Henry

Lieutenant David Henry Revels

Revels was born at Tullyhappy, Jerrettspass on 22nd February 1888 to Joseph Revels, Farmer and Elizabeth Anne Revels nee Qua. They were married on 13th May 1887 at [Illegible writing on marriage registration] and was registered in the Newry district.

David H Revels - Birth Registration

In 1901, Revels is living in house 18, Tullyhappy, Tullyhappy Ward, Co. Armagh with his parents and 5 siblings, Joseph, Agnes, Elizabeth, Samuel and Robert. A nurse and 2 servants were also present in the house.

Revels joined Northern Bank at Head Office on 8th October 1906.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Lisburn (1906 - Junior), Carrick-on-Shannon (1907 - Junior), Armagh (1908- Junior) and Ball’s Branch (1909 - Junior).

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch (replaced in 1920s)

Northern Bank, Carrick-on-Shannon branch (see below)

Northern Bank, Armagh branch

By 1911, Revels is boarding in house 4, Lower Sackville Street, North Dock, Dublin. He is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, 14 members of the Revels family from Tullyhappy or Jerrettspass area signed either the Ulster Covenant or the Women’s Declaration.

Revels resigned from the Bank on 1st November 1912 but re-entered on 31st March 1913 at Strokestown as the Cashier.

Application for Appointment to a Temporary Commission in the Regular Army for the period of the War – dated 27th October 1915

Revels expressed his preference in the above mentioned document as follows:   

• Garrison, Field or Horse Artillery; Cavalry or any Department connected with horses; any Infantry Regiment – Irish if possible. 
  
  
• “I wish, however, to be considered specially for artillery, and to have my name placed on the waiting list”.

Application for Admission to an Officer Cadet Unit – dated 25th July 1916

Revels expressed his preference in the above mentioned document as follows: 

• Special Reserve [i.e. not Regular Army]; Artillery, Royal Field Artillery

When completing the application form, Revels described the occupation of his father as a 'Gentleman Farmer'.

On 24th January 1916 at the age of 27, Revels volunteered and enlisted into the Inns of Court (Officer Training Corps (OTC)). His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 10th January 1917. He was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery before serving in the British Expeditionary Force. He was promoted to Lieutenant Special Service with the Arabian Field Force commanding a Camel Battery. Service was seen in the Somme 1918, Arras, Monchy le Preux, Chemical Works, Yser, Ypres 1917 and Kemmel 1918.

During the war, Revels was injured 3 times; a gunshot wound, gassed and seriously injured later. Demobilisation followed in July 1919. He was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. The Army recorded his address as Northern Bank, Lanesborough, Co. Longford.

David H Revels - Medal Index Card

David H Revels - Medal Roll

On 7th July 1919 he re-joined the Northern Bank at Strokestown. Transfers followed to Lanesborough (1921 - Pro-Manager), Head Office (1924), Irvinestown (1925 - Pro-Manager) and Donegall Square (1925), Head Office (1927), Down – Sub-Manager (1931) and Head Office (1933 - No. 4 Teller).

Northern Banking Company, Donegall Square

Revels married a Miss E E Spokes BA of Riverview, Banbridge in September 1931. 

Revels ceased to belong to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers in February 1938 having been a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery with Service Number 114217. 

Northern Banking Company - Correspondents Advice

The following document was use to advise the banking community of D H Revels appointment as manager of Lanesborough branch.

Period 1938 to 1941

In addition to copies of the various application forms described in this section, the [current] Ministry of Defence released copies of various letters between Revels, the Bank and the War Office. Excepts from them follow below.

Personal letter to the Under Secretary of State, The War Office dated 19th April 1938 (from D H R, NB, Head Office) referring to their letter of 14th April 1938 ‘... which I note with regret ...’. DHR appears to be offering his services to the army in Northern Ireland and although there is recruitment for a Fortress Unit and an Engineers Unit, DHR would like to see recruitment for a Horse & Field Unit of Artillery.   He seems to think that the ‘movement and training in different parts of the country ... would have a most stimulating effect on recruiting ...’

The War Office responded on 26th May 1938 acknowledging his offer of service and suggesting he would be interested in the Officers’ Emergency Reserve.

Letter from the Secretary, Northern Bank Ltd dated 23rd April 1940 to DHR advising that ‘... we have received your application to be relieved of duty here to enable you to join up for duty in HM Army Pay Department’. ‘We have carefully considered your application and in doing so have taken into account your age, your length of service in the Bank and your active service during the last war.  We regret we must refuse your application, and reserve such permits, as we are able to grant, for much younger men’.

[DHR was aged 52 and 2 months and had circa 34 years of service.]

[DHR also considered that he had been given private assurances by an un-named Director that there would be no difficulty in leaving the bank for Active Service.]

Personal letter to the Under Secretary of State, The War Office dated 24th April 1940 (from D H R, NB, Head Office) referring to a letter dated 16th April 1940. DHR indicates ‘ .... that a difficulty has been raised by the Bank, at the last minute ....’.  He goes on to say that ‘ ... the objections are most unreasonable ....’.  DHR indicates that the Bank have an objection to him joining the Royal Army Pay Corps but no objection to him being called up for service in the Royal Artillery again.


Revels retired from the bank on 30th June 1941.

Application for Emergency Commission – dated 11th February 1941 – aged 53

Revels completed sections of the above mentioned document as follows:

Decorations held: General Service & Victory Medals (was recommended for MC)

Occupation: Bank official (was Branch Manager)

• Education: Newry Intermediate School; Shaftesbury House, Belfast
• Previous Service: Inns of Court OTC (Cavalry) 12/15 to 04/16; RHA St John’s Wood, Cadet 04/16 to 11/16; Commissioned RH & RFA (SR) & RARO 11/16 to 02/38
• Preferred working with horses rather than duty with an infantry regiment.
• “The usual Field ...... with a Battery of Horses .... Artillery on Active .... France ....”
• Has an intimate knowledge of Belgium, France, Arabia, Ireland.
• Qualifications: Usual instruction in M.G. (presume machine guns); School of Gunnery 1916; Course of Signalling; Veterinary Course (1917); Gas Course (passed 1st class)
• Service Overseas: France 1916-18; Arabia

The application form was counter-signed by Major-General R K Hezlett. Revels' referees were from the bank:

• W F Scott, Northern Bank, Head Office – Chairman of Directors;
• Capt F W White, Northern Bank, Head Office – Director.

  

Army Cadet Force – Northern Ireland

Signed 26th April 1945 (late Lieutenant Paymaster RA)  

• Certificate states ‘if he is granted a commission, he will serve with the Cadet Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers.

Later he changed his name by Deed Poll from Revels to Revel. 

In 1943, he was made Paymaster with the Royal Army Pay Corps (RAPC). 

Following demobilisation in either 1945 or 1946, Revels purchased an auctioneering business in Newry, 4 miles from his native Jerrettspass. 

In the late 1940’s / early 1950’s, he emigrated to Canada with his family.  

Northern Bank, Carrick-on-Shannon branch

The website Buildings of Ireland records the following:

Description

Detached four-bay two-storey over basement Victorian bank, built c.1880.  Hipped tiled roof with red brick and stone-dressed chimneystacks.  Red brick front and side elevations with sandstone string courses and dressings, and recessed brick panels with torus- moulded surrounds and quoins.  Rendered rear elevation with two-storey over basement return.  Cambered-arched openings with ovolo-moulded brick surrounds, timber sash windows and sandstone label mouldings to facade.  Sandstone balconet to first floor of façade supported by brackets.  Round-headed window to side elevation.  Carved stone doorcase with overlight and sandstone overdoor.  Accessed from pavement via concrete bridge over area. Rendered and stone wall to street with wrought-iron railings.

Appraisal

This attractive Victorian bank building of red brick is unusual in Carrick-on-Shannon as the majority of buildings are rendered.  The elaborate carved stone dressings and contrasting brick emphasise the artistic quality.  The decorative brackets to the chimneystacks are an interesting feature.  Over time this building has retained its original function as well as retaining its original fabric.

Wright, William Martin

Captain William Martin Wright

Wright was born at Springfield, Newtownards on 22nd April 1884 to the Rev. William Wright and Charlotte McWilliams Wright nee Robinson. His birth was registered on 29th May 1884 without a FIRST name. William and Charlotte had married on 9th December 1880 at The Manse, Broughshane, Ballymena.

In 1901 Wright (16) is living in house 3, Corporation South, Newtownards, Co. Down with his parents and 6 siblings, Hannah D (15), Charlotte M (13), Archibald R (19), Richard P (10), Alfred I (3) and Matthew I (12). mA servant, Sarah Fulton was also present in the property.

Wright was educated at Campbell College, Belfast.  The Lennonwylie website records:

319. Wright, William Martin, b. 23rd. April, 1884, son of Rev. Wm. Wright, M.A., D.D., Newtownards. Brother of 317, 318, 846 and 1241. L.V., July, 1899.  Scholar.  Solicitors' Final, 1910.  Assistant Solicitor, Belfast Banking Co., 1910-14. Great War: Capt., R. Irish Rifles. Adj., 13th Bn. Severely wounded. Partner, McKinty & Wright, Solicitors, Belfast. Hon. Solicitor, British Legion for 32 years. Chairman, Newtownards Branch, British Legion for 30 years; President, 2 years.  Died 16th Nov., 1952. (M.)

Allowing for study and law examinations, Wright may have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1906. He was the bank Assistant Solicitor from 1910 to 1914. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

By 1911, they have moved to house 21, Circular Street, Newtownards, Co. Down. Wright's occupation is recorded as a Bank Solicitor. 

Wright volunteered and enlisted into the 13th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and attained the rank of Lieutenant, then becoming Captain and Adjutant. He also served with the 6th Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the Labour Corps.

His first theatre of war is recorded as France from September 1915.

Wm M Wright - Medal Index Card

(address recorded as 82 Royal Avenue, Belfast

and were the offices of McKinty and Wright)

He was severely wounded on 29th June 1916. The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Wright as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address as 'Salonika'.

Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet

Following demobilisation, Wright may not have returned immediately to the Belfast Bank. He later became a partner in McKinty and Wright, Belfast.

As an officer, Wright had to apply for his medals. He applied on 24th April 1922 and was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His address at that time were the offices of his practice, 82 Royal Avenue, Belfast.

Wm M Wright - Medal Roll

Due to his wartime injury, Wright applied for a pension and a Pension Card was generated with Identification Number Oa135445 (may be an Ancestry number) and 201 Labour Corps recorded as his regiment.

Wright also became involved in the Royal British Legion, becoming their Hon. Solicitor for 32 years, Chairman of the Newtownards branch for 30 years and President for 2 years.

The solicitors practice, McKinty and Wright is first mentioned in the British Newspaper Archive in 1921.

Wright died on 16th November 1952 at his residence, 'Coreen', 140 Sydenham Avenue, Belfast leaving a widow, Edna. He is buried in Movilla Cemetery, Newtownards.

The Northern Whig of 16th November 1954 carried an 'In Memoriam' notice:

Taylor, Robert Graham

Corporal Robert Graham Taylor

Taylor was born on 5th August 1893 to Henry Taylor, Farmer and Sarah Taylor nee Graham. The birth was registered in the Kilrea sub-district of Coleraine district. They had married on 23rd December 1890 at First Presbyterian Church, Kilrea.

In 1901 Taylor (7) was living in house 15, Drumane, Hervey Hill, Co. Londonderry with his parents and 4 siblings; Hugh (9), Jane (5), John (3) and Mary (1).

In 1911 Taylor (17) was living in house 21, Drumane, Hervey Hill, Co. Londonderry with his grandmother, Dorcas and his brother Hugh (19). 

The rest of Taylor's family are living in house 13, Drumane, Hervey Hill, Co. Londonderry. The parents and children now added by Dora (10), Margaret (8) and Samuel (5).

Taylor joined the Belfast Banking Company on 24th April 1911 working in North City, Dublin and Ballymena. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as Reastown, Kilrea and Rose Park, Rasharkin. A later signatory would be his elder brother, Hugh.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, North City, Dublin branch

Belfast Bank, Ballymena branch

Taylor volunteered and enlisted into the South Irish Horse with Service Number 1190 and later attained the rank of Acting Corporal. 

His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 14th April 1915.

Taylor later transferred to the Military Mounted Police with Service Number P/4818.

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Taylor as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address 'in France'.

Belfast Bank Roll of Honour booklet

[apologies for my poor photography]

Taylor was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

On demobilisation, Robert G Taylor returned to work for the Belfast Bank eventually rising to be the Managing Director.

The Irish Independent of 18th March 1920 reports on R G Taylor, Belfast Bank seconding a motion at a conference of the Irish Bank Officials Association (IBOA).

Taylor is reported in newspapers as working in Central branch (1923) before moving to Head Office (1926).

Belfast Bank, Central branch, Donegall Square North

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

The Belfast News-Letter of 18th May 1937 reports that Taylor held the position of Chairman of the Belfast Bank Golfing Society.

In 1938 Taylor was appointed as manager to Central branch.

In 1944 Taylor was recommended to be appointed as a Director of the Belfast Bank (Belfast News-Letter of 15th January 1944).

The Belfast Telegraph of 29th April 1947 reported on the re-organisation of the Belfast Bank with Taylor being appointed one of 3 managing directors.

Taylor retired on 30th November 1962 as Managing Director and continued on as a member of the board until 1966.

Robert G Taylor died on 25th May 1970. The Belfast Telegraph of 27th May 1970 carried an obituary:

Robert Taylor of 779 Antrim Road, Belfast left £2,503 to his widow, Eileen.

Tweedie, Brian Morrison

Brian Morrison Tweedie

Tweedie was born on 27th August 1923 to Frank Tweedie and Mrs Tweedie nee Baird. 

Tweedie was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institute (INST) where he was a keen sportsman. The Ireland's Saturday Night of 15th May 1937 reported on him coming 2nd in the 220 yards (14 years) race.

The Belfast Telegraph of 16th March 1942 reported that Tweedie would be playing in the Ulster Schools Rugby Final on St. Patrick's Day, 17th March against Portora Royal School.

On 13th April 1942 Tweedie joined Northern Bank at Head Office giving his address as 32 Old Cavehill Road, Belfast.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Transfers followed to Irvinestown (1942 - Relief) and then Head Office (1942 - Secretary's Room).

In January 1943 he applied to the bank to be permitted to join the Royal Navy.

A formal resignation from the bank came in a letter dated 15th July 1946 to the bank from Tweedie indicating he was going to study dentistry at Queens' University, Belfast.

The Belfast Telegraph of 27th September 1956 reports the marriage of Tweedie to Miss Heather Christine McKinney of Ballymena at the First Presbyterian Church, Ballymena.

Tweedie died on 17th July 2016.

The following obituary appeared in the British Dental Journal published 31st January 2017 and written by P S D Henderson.

Brian was brought up on Skegoneill Avenue in North Belfast. He attended the local primary school and went on to RBAI (Royal Belfast Academical Institution), where he played in the 1942 Schools' Cup Rugby Final. During the second world war, Brian's family were evacuated to Rathfriland where he had many cherished memories of living with the Fegan family.

On leaving school, Brian joined the Northern Bank and was posted to Irvinestown. In 1943 he joined the Royal Navy and served on three landing ships, HMS Princess Astrid, HMS Eastway, and HMS Boxer.

Brian told the story of how his ship picked up a German U-Boat on radar, which they successfully torpedoed only to discover they had torpedoed a whale!

Brian was demobbed in 1946 and commenced his studies for dentistry at Queens University Belfast. Unfortunately, Brian contracted tuberculosis in the Navy and spent two years in hospital, qualifying from Queens in 1953.

Brian set up a very successful practice in Rathcoole and became a very active member of the Northern Ireland branch of the BDA. Brian served as Secretary, Branch President (1983) and was Trustee of the Benevolent Fund for many years serving on the Executive Committee.

Brian was elected to the International College of Dentists for services to dentistry, was awarded Life Membership of BDA in 1990 and was elected a Fellow of the BDA in 1998.  He was involved in the establishment of a general practice training unit in the School of Dentistry and worked part-time in a teaching post there.

Brian was a very keen golfer and an active member of Greenisland Golf Club where he was Captain in 1969 and was President for the club's centenary year – 1994.

Brian was a longstanding member of St. Peter's Parish Church where he served in many capacities. Brian, with his Navy background was called on every year to lay a wreath on Remembrance Sunday.

Brian is survived by his wife (of nearly 60 years), Heather, son, Philip and daughters, Jenny, Caroline and Susie.

Stewart, James Crawford

Lieutenant James Crawford Stewart

Stewart was born at Bonds Hill, Londonderry on 28th December (or October) 1892 to Samuel Stewart, Merchant and Isabella Stewart nee Crawford. They were married on 19th November 1889 under special licence in the house of the bride at Rosnagalla House, Glendermott and registered in the Strabane register. The marriage was registered a second time in the Londonderry register.

In 1901, Isabella and her 2 children; James (8) and Jeannie E (10) were living with her parents (Crawford) and her 3 siblings (Eliza, Maggie and James Crawford) in house 2, Rossnagillagh, Glendermott, Co. Londonderry. There were also 4 servants present in the property; Henry Quigg, Joseph Mullan, James Friel and Maggie Roarty.

In 1911, Isabella is residing in house 6, Clarendon Street, Londonderry with her daughter, Jeannie and Samuel (9). There are 4 boarders; Artena Reid, Sara Thompson, James Dawson and Winifred Pollock and 1 servant, Lizzie Reid also present in the property.

Stewart would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1911 working in Head Office. His mother signed the Bankers Guarantee giving her address as 11 Clarendon Street, Londonderry.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, 2 Waring Street, Belfast 

The 1911 Irish Census records a Londonderry man, James Stewart (18) boarding in house 34, Eblana Street, Cromac, Belfast.  His occupation is recorded as Bank Clerk.

Stewart volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles with Service Number 40921. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from December 1916.

He later transferred to the Royal Field Artillery. The London Gazette of 11th February 1918 reports Stewart as being promoted from Officer Cadet to 2nd Lieutenant. He was later promoted to Lieutenant.

As an officer, Stewart had to apply for the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. This he did on 22nd April 1923.

James C Stewart - Medal Index Card

His Medal Index Card records his address as PO Box 2, Te Pulmy, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

It is presumed that Stewart did not re-join the Belfast Bank following his demobilisation after the war. 

There are a number of ships passenger manifests that record a James C Stewart departing and arriving at various locations across the world e.g.:

Mr James C Stewart, 34, departed Sydney, Australia for London in December 1927 onboard the S S Renalla. His occupation is recorded as a Dairy Farmer and his address as New Zealand. His proposed address in the UK is recorded as Newbuildings, Londonderry.

Northern Bank 200th Anniversary - September 2024

Gavin Bamford writes:

"I'm very proud to have co-authored the banks 200th anniversary book along with Nick Garbutt and hope that you enjoy reading it. 

"I have specifically included the names of our five murdered colleagues whom we will always remember. 

The bank writes:

"2024 is our 200th year in business, something we're very proud of. To mark that, we commissioned two former colleagues to put together a commemorative photobook. Our CEO Vicky Davies unveiled the book with the authors in our Head Office. 

The book can be downloaded free via this link.

Gavin has published a short personal launch video. 

Gavin Bamford, Vickey Davies & Nick Garbutt

Gavin Bamford showing his book 

in the War Memorial corridor of 

Northern Bank (T/as Danske Bank) Head Office

Victory in Europe Day - 8th May 2020 - 75th Anniversary

VE Day - Belfast (Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch top right)

The 8th May 2020 was the 75th anniversary of the Victory in Europe. The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill broadcast to the nation at 3:00 pm on 8th May 1945. Many people around the UK had already been celebrating from the day before when news broke.

96 of our colleagues volunteered for service in the Army, Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. 13 did not return.

Northern Bank – World War II	44 officials volunteered for service
of which	3 were killed in action
	1 was reported missing
Belfast Bank – World War II	52 officials volunteered for service
of which	9 were killed in action

The returning men were repatriated in stages from 1945 to 1947. Some had returned for other reasons during the war. All the men had stories to tell. A few left the employment of the bank and went on to other roles. 

The links below tell only part of the story. Each man has an individual story that can be accessed via the website filters.

Belfast Banking Company - deceased, missing or served - names

Northern Bank - deceased or served - names

Bobby Malseed's return to banking in 1946 - article

We Shall Remember Them - (Courtesy of Heritage Flight Simulation)

Lisburn VE Day - 70 years on - by Gavin Bamford

Irish Census 1901 and 1911 - Addresses

The 1901 and 1911 Irish Census records are accessible on the Irish Genealogy website, free of charge.

Census of Ireland

• The 1901 census was taken on 31st March 1901.
  
  
• The 1911 census was taken on 2nd April 1911.

Using this site and its excellent search facility, I was able to trace a great number of the officials to where they or their families lived in both census years.

You will see the addresses in the biographies detailed as 'house number' e.g.

• Residents of a house 6 in Lisheegan (The Vow, Antrim)

House numbering, in the sense that we know it as today, did not appear until later in the 20th century. In the case above, this would be the 6th house along the road from where the census enumerator started his task. If you were looking for the property today, it may not be '6 Lisheegan Road'.