Paul, William Robert

Acting Quarter Master Sergeant William Robert Paul

According to the bank Staff Record card, Paul was born on 30th August 1894. The Bank Centenary volume records that he was born in Glasgow. There is no evidence on the 'Scotlands People' website to confirm this. 

A contributor has advised that 'William Paul was born in Glasgow on 30th August 1895'.

'Scotlands People' website no longer records a W R Paul in either their births or 1901 census database. 

The 1911 Irish Census records William Paul (16), Scholar, living in house 15 Church Street, Coleraine with his parents Joseph (Draper) and Grace, a servant Annie O'Neill and boarder Sarah Jane MacClements. His age (16) suggests a birth year of 1895 differing from the bank record.

On 24th June 1912, Paul joined Northern Bank at Head Office. The bank Staff Record card has 'Coleraine' below his name.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Randalstown (1912 - Junior) and Londonderry (1914 - Junior).

Northern Bank, Randalstown branch

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Paul signed the Ulster Covenant at the Town Hall, Coleraine. Joseph Paul also signed the covenant and Grace Ann Paul signed the Women's Declaration.

The bank centenary volume records Paul's war service as follows:

• At the age of 20, Paul volunteered and enlisted into the 6th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) as a Private. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant and Acting Quarter Master Sergeant 
• Service was seen in Festubert 1915, Somme 1916 and Peronne 1918.
• Paul was injured 3 times; gunshot wound to the leg, gunshot wound to the shoulder and neck and gassed.
• He was demobilised in February 1919 and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
• Demobilised in February 1919. 

A contributor has advised: 'Referring to his service during the Great War he was transferred to the 4/5th Black Watch after recovering from his second wounding in August 1916 (GSW left shoulder & neck)'.

and

'Paul was taken prisoner on 21st March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive. He was held firstly at Gustrow then Parchim POW camps'.

There are quite a few military records on the Ancestry website that could relate to Paul. However without further information eg his army service number, this will prove difficult to verify.

Following demobilisation, Paul re-joined the Northern Bank at Head Office.

Paul's father, Joseph Paul (57), draper, died on 20th January 1919 at Church Street, Coleraine. He had been suffering for one month from influenza and fourteen days from meningitis. He is buried in Coleraine Cemetery.

Transfers followed to Connswater (1919 - Cashier), Strabane (1919 - Cashier), Carrickfergus (1920 - Cashier), Newry (1922 - Accountant ), Head Office (1922).

The bank records that in August 1922, Paul married a Miss Forsythe of Carrickfergus and that she died in December 1922 (no record found).

Northern Bank, Strabane branch

Further transfers followed to Newry (1923 - Accountant), Head Office (1924), Omagh (1925 - Cashier), Donegall Square (1927 - Cashier), Head Office (1928) and Ballymena (1928 - Pro Manager).

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Northern Bank, Omagh branch

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

The bank records Paul marrying a second time in possibly 1928 although her name is unclear (no record found).

Ancestry website records Paul's mother, Grace Ann Paul (88) dying on 5th January 1942 (GRONI - confirmed). William R Paul died on 8th January 1945 (GRONI - not confirmed). Paul's sister, Annie Peacock (65) died on 9th June 1948 (GRONI - confirmed). They are buried in Coleraine Cemetery. (Ref: Find a Grave).

A contributor has advised: 'On 8th January 1945, whilst working for the Ministry of Labour in London Paul was severely injured when a V2 rocket struck the pavement at Clapham Common. He was taken to South London Hospital where he later died from his wounds. He is commemorated by the CWGC as a civilian casualty'.

CWGC link: William Robert Paul

'Strangely I have contacted Coleraine Cemetery but he is not buried in the family plot. Lambeth and Wandsworth have no burial or cremation records for him so I do not know what happened to his remains'.

In March 2024, a family member has been in touch to advise that they currently work for Northern Bank.

Rankin, Hugh Edwin

Lieutenant Hugh Edwin Rankin

Rankin was born at 28 Vicinage Park, Belfast on 5th February 1888 to Hugh Rankin, Clerk and Maria Rankin nee Hannah. They had married on 7th November 1883 at Elmwood Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

Rankin's father, Hugh (40) died at 35 Newington Avenue, Belfast on 14th May 1894.

Maria Rankin, widow, married John McIlroy at Cliftonville Church on 5th July 1898.

In 1901 Rankin (13) is living in house 14, York Street, Belfast with his mother Maria (45) and his sister Evelyn (14), his stepfather John McIlroy (50) and McIlroy children; Hugh (20), Margaret (19), Elizabeth (17), Jane (16), Robert (15) and James (11). A servant Sarah McMillan (17) also lives in the property.

Following his education, Rankin joined the Belfast Banking Company about 1906/07 and is recorded as working in working Central branch and Markets branch. An Evelyn Creighton signed his Bankers Guarantee (Photo out of focus, unfortunately).

Belfast Bank, Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Central branch (Donegall Square North, Belfast)

Belfast Bank, Markets branch (Victoria Street, Belfast)

In 1911 Rankin is boarding with the Sterritt family in house 37, Dunfanaghy Town, Co. Donegal. It is presumed that he was working in the Donegal branch of Belfast Bank.

Belfast Bank, Donegal branch
(Following partition, this would late become a branch of Royal Bank of Ireland)

Rankin volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles. He later transferred to the Machine Gun, Tanks Section. He had attained the rank of Lieutenant. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 16th June 1916.

H E Rankin - Medal Index Card

Following demobilisation, Rankin was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal for service in the Great War.

Rankin returned to work for the Belfast Bank.

He later married Sara Maria Whiteside. She may have been known as Sally (Northern Whig of 24th March 1945). They had a daughter, Sara Evelyn Rankin on 11th January 1921 (Ancestry).

The brass Roll of Honour records him as ‘H F’ and the paper Roll of Honour with photographs records him as ‘H E’.

Hugh Edwin Rankin died on 22nd March 1945 at Thurlow, Old Dundonald Road, Dundonald. He is buried in plot E5 182 in Dundonald Cemetery. PRONI Wills records:

Rankin Hugh Edwin of "Thurlow" Old Dundonald Road, Dundonald, Co. Down, retired bank manager, died 22 March 1945. Probate Belfast 24th August to Sara Maria Whiteside Rankin, the widow. Effects £4476. His widow died on 28th December 1961 (Ancestry).

Pyper, Thomas Watters

Sergeant Thomas Watters Pyper

Pyper was born in 1884 to James Pyper, Teacher and Annie Pyper nee Ryan. They had married Annie Keenan nee Ryan (a widow) on 25th October 1881 at Galway Church.

In 1901 Pyper (17) was living in house 9, Ballygilbert, Bangor, Co. Down with his parents and brother William (18). He is described as a Bank Clerk. 

Pyper would have joined the Belfast Bank around 1901 and was believed to have worked in Navan branch. His Bankers Guarantee was signed by his father, James Pyper of Crawfordsburn.

T W Pyper - BBCo Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Navan branch

The ‘Bangor Golf Club 100 Years’ booklet describes their member (1904), T W Pyper winning the prize for best nett with a score of 88 gross. Playing off 14, his nett score of 74 also won him £3.

In 1910, Pyper was recorded as the Accountant in the Newtownards branch of the Belfast Banking Company. 

Belfast Bank, Newtownards branch

By 1911 the family property is described as house 17, Ballygilbert, Bangor, Co. Down. He describes himself as a Bank Clerk and an aunt, Isabella Pyper (58) is also living ion the property.

Pyper volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse with Service Number 1783. He later transferred to the Corps of Hussars with Service Number 71558.

T W Pyper - Medal Index Card

T W Pyper - Medal Roll

The excellent North Irish Horse website writes:

"Pyper enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 2 and 7 December 1915 (No.2023 - later Corps of Hussars No.71675). He remained at the regiment's reserve at Antrim throughout the war, rising to the rank of sergeant, and acting as squadron quartermaster-sergeant.

"After the war Pyper was one of a number of men recognised for his work on the home front. According to a report in the Londonderry Sentinel of 2 September 1919:

The following list of names brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services in the Northern District, Irish Command, was issued officially on Friday evening, but will not be gazetted. ... Sergeant (acting Squadron Quartermaster-Sergeant) T. Pyper, North Irish Horse.

"After the war he resumed work for his banking firm. He died at Rathmines, Dublin, on 28 November 1944.

According to the Comber War Memorial, a ‘T Pyper’ volunteered and served in World War I.

Following demobilisation, Pyper returned to work for the Belfast Banking Company.

On 31st March 1921 at St Mary's Church, Donnybrook Thomas, Bank Clerk of Club House, Navan married Catherine Eileen McIlroy of The Schoolhouse, Donnybrook.

Following partition and the creation of Northern Ireland, the Belfast Banking Company sold all its branches (and staff) to the Royal Bank of Ireland. This explains why the Pyper detailed below came to be residing in Royal Bank House, Duggan Place, Rathmines.

Belfast Bank, Rathmines branch 

later to become the Royal Bank of Ireland branch (AIB)

Thomas Pyper is buried in the Mount Jerome Cemetery, Part 1, Dublin. No.81 - In Memory of THOMAS WATERS PYPER, Royal Bank House, Rathmines, died 28th November 1944 and of his wife, KATHERINE EILEEN PYPER, died 11th March 1977, their daughter, AILEEN ANN (PEGGY) ROBINSON, died 25th Aug. 2005. "Till day break".

The bank building was later restored and turned into a restaurant.

BBCo, RBoI and later AIB Rathmines branch

Pyper, Robert Brownlow

Robert Brownlow Pyper

Pyper was born on 27th May 1922 to James North Pyper and Mrs Dora Evelyn Lyn Barkley nee Barkley. They had married on 4th June 1919 at Duncairn Presbyterian Church.

 
A daughter, Mary Barkley Pyper was born on 9th June 1920 at 29 Hughenden Avenue, Belfast.

Pyper was educated at Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI), Belfast and left there in 1938.

Following his education, Pyper joined the Belfast Bank and is recorded as working in Western branch. His father, James North Pyper signed his Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Banking Company- Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Western branch (Shankill Road, Belfast)

A Robert Brownlow Pyper is recorded on the UK Navy List as a Temporary Lieutenant from 1943 to 1945.

Following demobilisation, Pyper continued his education and left Trinity College, Dublin in 1948. The
Belfast Telegraph of 13th June 1949 records Robert as winning a Scholarship in History.

At some stage Pyper appears to have moved to Canada and returned home to Ireland for his wedding.

On 5th November 1951 Pyper married Margery Patricia Gamble at St Patrick's Church, Greystones, Rathdrum, Dublin. His address is recorded as 603 Huron Street, Toronto, Canada as reported in the
Belfast News-Letter of 5th December 1951.

The Wicklow People of 10th November 1951 reported on the wedding:

There are a number of sports press reports featuring a R B Pyper playing golf.

Pyper (48) died at 10 Frithwood Avenue, Northwood, Middlesex on 13th August 1970 and is buried in Dundonald Cemetery with his parents and his sister who died in 2006.  

Probate was recorded as £29,205.

Mason, Ernest Vance

Captain Ernest Vance Mason MC

Mason was born at Boyle on 5th January 1887 to John Mason, Apothecary and Jane Barbara Mason nee Church.

In 1901 the family were living in house 2, Main Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. John, Jane and their daughter, Audrey Kathleen (12). A governess, Georgina Frances Young (23), an apprentice, William Hagan (18) and a servant, Maria Sheerin (20) were also in the house. I cannot trace Ernest in the census database.

Mason would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1904 and is recorded as working in Omagh branch. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him.

E V Mason - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Omagh branch

Mason joined 'The Ancient Masonic Lodge Number 588 Donegal' on 5th September 1910.

E V Mason - Masonic Lodge Register

In 1911 Mason is boarding with the Gardner family in house 9, Doonan, Donegal town. He is described as a Bank Official. A possible colleague, George Albert Barnes (Bank Official) also boards in this house. Barnes is recorded in the Londonderry Sentinel of 1st September 1928 as working for the Royal Bank of Ireland.

Belfast Bank, Donegal branch [This branch would 

later be sold to the Royal Bank of Ireland after the partition of Ireland]

Mason volunteered and enlisted into the South Irish Horse with Service Number 1138. He would later transfer to the Royal Field Artillery. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 18th December 1915. Ernest's address is recorded as c/o Mrs Sweeney, 52 High Street, Holywood. That address is currently that of Sweeney's Pharmacy, Holywood.

E V Mason - Medal Index Card

Lt E V Mason was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for an action at 'P' Ridge, Salonika on 19th September 1918. The citation was dated February 1919 and says:

"Gazette Issue 31158. M.C. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the following awards to the mentioned Officers and Warrant Officers in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field. Awarded the Military Cross. For his gallant conduct, forcefulness and the valuable information sent back under circumstances of extreme danger. When acting as F.L.O. on 'P' ridge on the 19th September, 1918, though wounded in three places and continuously under heavy enemy barrage, he continued to report information of vital importance, showing great courage and devotion to duty."

Capt E V Mason - Military Cross

His engagement notice below also shows him being awarded the Creux de Guerre (France) medal.

Capt E V Mason - Creux de Guerre (France)

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

The engagement of Capt Ernest Vance Mason MC, CdeG, St Anne of Russia etc of Belfast Bank, Drogheda to Eileen Maud M Kilroy was announced in the Irish Society (Dublin) of 23rd April 1921.

E V Mason - Engagement Announcement

Belfast Bank, Drogheda branch [This branch would 

later be sold to the Royal Bank of Ireland after the partition of Ireland]

Following the partition of Ireland, the Belfast Banking Company sold all its branches and transferred their 'southern' staff to the Royal Bank of Ireland.

On 25th April 1922 Mason married Eileen Maud Margaret Kilroy at Holy Trinity Church, Wallington, Surry. His occupation and address is recorded as Captain, R F A of Springfield, Rathfriland, Co. Down.

Capt E V Mason - Marriage Registration

The Sligo Champion of 11th August 1923 records E V Mason as signing a letter complaining about the 'state of Rosses Point and Sligo Road'.

Various directories (Thom's Directory) in the 1920s to 1940s record Ernest as living in 6 Rostrevor Road, Rathgar, Dublin and other Dublin addresses.

Pension record cards exist for Ernest. They record his disability as 'Gas Poisoning & Dysentery'. An address at 52 High Street, Holywood is also recorded.

E V Mason - Pension Card 1 - Age 30 would give a date of 1927

E V Mason - Pension Card 2 - Eileen Maud Margaret Mason - Widow

The Wicklow People of 4th July 1942 reports on the theft of Ernest's raincoat:

E V Mason - Raincoat theft

Malseed, John Stewart

Gunner John Stewart Malseed

Malseed was born at Warrenpoint on 24th October 1898 to James Malseed, Bank Clerk and Mary Jane Malseed nee Wallace. They had married on 8th November 1894 at the residence of Mrs Malseed according to the form and discipline of the Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Malseed (2) is living in house 24, Sea View Street, Warrenpoint, Co. Down with his parents and brother, Hugh Wallace (4). A servant, Martha Brown (23) is also in the house. His father's occupation is recorded as a Bank Cashier.

Belfast Bank, Warrenpoint branch

By 1911, Malseed 's parents are living in house 30, High Street, Antrim, Co. Antrim (Belfast Bank). James Malseed is recorded as a Bank Manager. 

Belfast Bank, Antrim branch (Belfast Bank House)

In 1911 Malseed and his brother Hugh are attending boarding school at house 10, Cairncastle Road, Larne, Co. Antrim.

Malseed probably joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1916 and is recorded as working in Head Office. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Malseed volunteered and enlisted as a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Following his demobilisation, Malseed  resigned from the Bank on 31st March 1919. He is named on the 2nd Antrim Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour.

High Street (Second) Presbyterian Church, Antrim - Roll of Honour
(Courtesy of W J Canning via the Eddies Extracts website)

Eddie Connolly of Eddies Extracts notes "Regiment recorded in Roll of Honour as Cadet Corps but on church memorial as "Royal Garrison Artillery".

Malseed became a student in January 1919 and studied medicine at Queen's University, Belfast.

John S Malseed - 1919 Medical School Register

Malseed  was successful in his Bachelor of Medicine degree with the Northern Whig of 27th March 1924 reporting his pass.

Malseed  was living in Blackburn in 1939 and was recorded in the 1939 Register as a Medical Practitioner. A Dorothea Alice Malseed was also recorded on the register.

John S Malseed - 1939 Register

John Malseed died on 4th September 1950 and is buried in the Mellor Methodist Churchyard, Lancashire.

John S Malseed - Probate