Mahood, Thomas

Company Quarter-Master Sergeant Thomas Mahood MBE

Mahood was born at 27 Lawnbrook Avenue, Belfast on 24th September 1887 to Samuel Mahood, Street Inspector and Arabella Mahood nee Beggs.

In 1901 Mahood (13) was living in house 58, Ballydownfine, Ballygomartin Ward, Co. Antrim with his parents and 4 siblings; James (22), Samuel (16), Hugh (11) and George Hamilton (7).

Mahood would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1905. His father signed the Indemnity to the bank. Later on, his brother Samuel would take on the Guarantee. Various family addresses are recorded:

• 98 Balmoral Avenue, Belfast
• 51 Lisburn Road, Belfast

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

By 1911 Mahood is boarding in house 16, Forthill Street, Enniskillen East, Co. Fermanagh with a family with surname Hood. He is described as a Bank Clerk.

Manhood's parents are living in house 98 Balmoral Avenue, Belfast.  Brothers Hugh and George are still residing at home.

On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, a Thomas Mahood signed the Ulster Covenant at Enniskillen giving his address as Font Villa, Enniskillen.

In October 1914, Mahood enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles with Service Number 15538 giving his age as 26 years and 11 months. His occupation is a Bank Clerk.

Short Service Attestation - Thomas Mahood

According to his Medal Index Card, Mahood served with the 10th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and attained the rank of Quarter-Master Sergeant. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 5th October 1915.

Medal Index Card - Thomas Mahood

Whilst on leave from the 'front', Thomas Mahood married Nora Morrison, 22 at Drumballyroney Parish Church, Co. Down on 2nd December 1916.

Marriage Registration - Thomas and Nora Mahood

Mahood was awarded the 1914-15 Star (rank recorded as Lance Corporal), the British War Medal and the Victory Medal (rank recorded as Colour Sergeant and CQMS).

1914-15 Star Medal Roll - Thomas Mahood

British War & Victory Medal Rolls - Thomas Mahood

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Mahood returned to work eventually ending up as Manager of Portaferry branch. He also worked in Enniskillen and Rathfriland.

Belfast Bank, Enniskillen branch

Belfast Bank, Rathfriland branch

Belfast Bank, Portaferry branch
[Acknowledgements to the J Millar Collection]

On 7th January 1949, the Belfast Gazette recorded Thomas Mahood of Belfast Bank House, Portaferry as being appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE). 1949 New Year's Honours list.  As Honorary Secretary, Upper Ards Local Savings Committee, Co. Down.

Retirement came in 1951 and he died on 8th February 1961. PRONI records the following in their Will Calendars collection:

"Mahood, Thomas of 1 Slievemoyne Park Newcastle county Down retired bank manager died 8 February 1961 Probate Belfast 27 April to Nora Mahood the widow. Effects £1639 6s. 4d."

McMechan, James

Captain James McMechan MC

McMechan was born on 6th July 1893 to Hugh McMechan, Farmer and Lizzie Jane McMechan nee Kirkpatrick. The birth was registered in Downpatrick. 

[Hugh McMechan, Farmer had married Elizabeth Jane Torney on 16th April 1891 at Saul Parish Church, Downpatrick].

In 1901 McMechan (9) was living in house 4, Ballybranagh Lower, Ardglass, Co. Down with his parents and 6 siblings; Nellie (8), Elsie (6), Kathleen (5), John (4), Emma (2) and Hugh Thomas (0). Two servants also live in the house, Lizzie Fitzpatrick (14) and Lizzie Harrison (26).

By 1911, McMechan is living in the property now known as house 2, Ballybranagh, Ardglass, Co. Down with his parents and his 5 siblings; Elsie, John, Kathleen, Emma, Hugh and Mary.

McMechan is not recorded here. He is boarding in house 45, Ballybannon, Dundrum, Co. Down with a family called Donnan. His occupation is recorded as an Apprentice Mechanic.

McMechan would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1909 and worked in Pettigo, Cookstown and Downpatrick branches. His father signed the Bankers Indemnity for him.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Pettigo branch

Belfast Bank, Cookstown branch

Belfast Bank, Downpatrick branch

On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, James and Hugh McMechan signed the Ulster Covenant at the Balee Meeting House, Ardglass or at Castlewellan.

McMechan volunteered and  enlisted into the 10th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and attained the rank of Captain.

James McMechan - Medal Index Card

He was awarded the Military Cross (MC).

The London Gazette dated 17th September 1917 records his citation as

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his company during an attack. He personally showed them how close they could keep to the barrage, and with great courage and skill he outflanked and wiped out an enemy machine gun and its crew without a single casualty to his own men. His coolness and fine leadership contributed very largely to the success of the operation.”

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

Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet

McMechan was captured on 22nd March 1918 by the Germans at Le Hamel and was imprisoned in the O G L Rastatt camp. His Next of Kin is recorded as Elsie McMechan, Downpatrick.

German Prisoner of War Record 1 - Capt James McMechan MC

German Prisoner of War Record 2 - Capt James McMechan MC

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, McMechan returned to work. He is recorded in the Northern Whig dated 29th May 1920 as being the Acting Manager of Whitehead branch. 

Belfast Bank, Whitehead branch

The clipping, posted below, informs the readers that James received his Military Cross in a Royal Investiture, from the King at Buckingham Palace.

Courtesy of Great War Belfast Clippings

He is recorded in BBCo records as having a wife, May Kathleen McMechan.

McMechan died on 23rd November 1933.

Tait, Hugh James

Cadet Hugh James Tait (or Tate)

Tait was born at Knock, Belfast on 30th May 1898 to James Tate, schoolteacher and Bella Tate nee McGowan. The birth registration spells the family surname as Tate.  

Bella died aged 41  at Knock, Belfast from influenza and acute pneumonia on 11th December 1898.

In 1901, Tait is living in house 40, Knock Road, Pottinger Ward, Belfast with his grandfather Hugh William, his grandmother Mary, his father and a servant Catherine McQuade.

In 1902 the house has been named by the owners as Belgrave Villa, Knock.  

By 1911 the property is known as house 35, Knock Road, Pottinger Ward, Co. Down. Tait is living there with his father James, a house keeper Margaret Todd and a boarder Henry Huber. The family surname is now recorded as Tait.

On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, Hugh signed the Ulster Covenant at the Old Town Hall, Belfast giving his address as Belgrave Villa, Knock, Belfast. 

James Tait died from acute appendicitis on 23rd January 1914 at Belgrave Villa, Knock, Belfast.

Tait would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1914 and is recorded as working in Head Office. An uncle, Robert Moore signed the necessary insurance security from Bankers Guarantee Trust for Hugh.  

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

In September 1914 Tait volunteered and enlisted into the 8th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles with Service Number 8/13705 as a Private. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 5th October 1915.

Medal Index Card - H J Tait

The Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet records his rank as a Cadet serving with the 17th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles and records him as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address 'Ballykinlar'.

Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' Booklet

Tait was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. The Medal Roll records Hugh Tait as a Rifleman serving with 8th Royal Irish Rifles, 8th/9th Royal Irish Rifles and 15th Royal Irish Rifles.

Medal Roll - Hugh Tait

In 1922 Tait  went to court, Belfast Equity Sessions in a dispute over his fathers house and his uncle & aunt who Hugh had asked to stay in the house whilst he was overseas. The Moore's were the executors for Hugh's fathers will. The court instructed the Moore's to leave the property 

Belfast News Letter, 12th April 1922

A Hugh J Tate, 49, died on 3rd December 1947 and is buried in Belfast City Cemetery, Glenalina Extension. Anna Elizabeth Tate lies in the same grave plot. She died aged 60 on 5th August 1960. Their address at date of death was 275 Shore Road, Belfast.

It is probable that the family home is now numbered as 64 Knock Road, Belfast and is described in the ‘Environmental Statement of the A55 Knock Road Widening Scheme’ published by the DRD in 2009:

“Belgrave Villa is a three-bay two-storey house, dated late Victorian circa 1900. The house has a pitched roof with smooth rendered painted chimney, cast-iron rainwater goods and timber painted facia-board; smooth rendered painted walling with projecting rendered painted plinth; bow-fronted windows to ground floor with one-over-one sliding sash windows and stone painted sills; square-headed sliding-sash windows to first floor with moulded decorative architrave. It has a round-headed glazed doorway with timber panelled painted door and moulded decorative side columns with relieving square-headed arch. The house is accessed directly from Knock Road by means of concrete steps and a wrought iron painted gate. This house is very well maintained and retains several original features including sliding sash windows, rainwater goods and doorway. Of modest dimensions and architectural aesthetics, the house is deemed to be of local importance.”

McClean, Charles Malachy

Flying Officer Charles Malachy McClean

McClean was born at Railway Place, Coleraine on 8th November 1898 to John McClean, Publican and Margaret McClean nee McLaughlin. They were 24th November 1897 at Our Lady & St Patrick, Ballymoney.

In 1901, McClean (2) was living in house 7, Railway Place, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry with his parents and a sister, Mary (0). 2 servants; Martha Rosborough and Catherine Byrne were also living in the property.

John McClean passed away on 27th April 1910 at Railway Place, Coleraine.

By 1911 the property was described as house 5, Railway Place, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry. McClean was living with his mother and 4 siblings; Kathleen (10), Monica (8), Patricia (5) and Clare (2). 2 servants; Agnes Brislan and Ellen Bonner were also living in the property. Mary does not feature on the 1911 census. She would have been 10. Kathleen is recorded as a 10 year old.

McClean entered Northern Bank in March 1916 at Castlewellan branch. In November he was recorded as working in Head Office.

Northern Bank, Castlewellan branch

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Whilst based in Castlewellan, McClean volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps (RFC). His address at that time was Westbrook House, Coleraine.

His Service Record in the RFC follows:

McClean saw service in the Defence of London, Ypres and Lens 1918. He was promoted to Lieutenant and then Captain. He received a gunshot wound when his ‘machine’ was shot down.

Demobilisation came in June 1919. He was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Following demobilisation, he resigned from the Bank on 18th July 1919. His staff record states that he had resigned owing to an injury received on 18th July 1919. The same record states that he reapplied to the bank on 14th July 1923. The bank responded by saying that "they regretted that they were unable to offer him an appointment".

The London Gazette dated 10th August 1920 records McClean as being granted a Short Term Commission at Flying Officer:

McClean's Service Record indicates that he may have continued on in the RAF Reserves. His rank is shown as F/O (possibly Flying Officer) in 1923.

The London Gazette dated 2nd September 1924 records F/O McClean as being transferred from A class to C class. 

The Sheffield Daily Telegraph of 19th January 1923 reports that Lt C M McClean and 2 others were fined for assaulting a proctor in Cambridge.

Sheffield Daily Telegraph

In 1929 he relinquished his commission on completion of service. The following information comes from the RAF Museum:

McClean and his family sailed from Liverpool to New York on the White Star liner, 'Baltic' and arrived in New York on 8th August 1929.

'Baltic' - Passenger Manifest

McClean made a few more cross Atlantic trips between England and USA, some of which are recorded for 1953.

Capt Charles McClean died on 6th April 1941. The Londonderry Sentinel dated 8th April 1941 reports his death. He is recorded as dying at his residence, the Provincial Hotel, Foyle Street, Londonderry.

Londonderry Sentinel, 8th April 1941

Photo courtesy LibrariesNI who write "Foyle Street looking towards the Guildhall.  Buildings line both sides of Foyle Street and on the left is the Melville Hotel. This hotel was one of the four situated on Foyle Street in the 1930’s – the Metropole, the Foyle, the Provincial and the City."

The PRONI Wills database records "McClean Charles Malachy of Provincial Hotel, Foyle Street, Londonderry, retired air force officer, died 6 April 1941, Administration Londonderry 28 April to Kathleen McClean the widow. Effects £124 6s. 2d.".

White, Louis McKelvey

Major Louis McKelvey White

White was born at Bridge Street, Cootehill, Co. Cavan on 2nd May 1911  to William John White, Solicitors Apprentice and Margaret Eleanor White nee Shimmons. They had married on 10th July 1894 at Newry Parish Church, Co. Down.

In 1911 (census day was 2nd April) William and Margaret lived at house 18 Bridge Street, Cootehill with their 2 sons Edwin (11) and Geoffrey (7).  

Another brother, Tom and a sister Eve (or Eva) lived with their grandfather, William White at  6 College Square, Camlough.

White was born one month later on 2nd May 1911. 

White was educated at the Masonic School, Richview, Dublin where he excelled at sport becoming captain of rugby and cricket. He was orphaned at the age of 17 whilst at school.

Michael White continues his story:

".... He was befriended by a man called Raymond Brooke, of the Brookeborough family, a Grand Master in the Masons and Managing Director of a wine importing company in Dublin. My father must have gone to stay with him in Sligo after leaving school when his mother died and prior to joining the Bank. ..... After arriving in Belfast to join the Bank, I believe he lived with his married sister Eva on the Upper Newtownards Road. .... Louis did mention to me at one time that had he pursued it, he could have had a career in the wine industry, but never mentioned Mr. Brooke. I have Brooke's name from an inscription in a book which he gave to my father, "as a memento of the game against B.R.A." Signed-- R.F. Brooke, and a little bit of "Googling" revealed the above information. ...."

On 17th July 1929, White was living in 'Gibraltar Cottage', Sligo when he joined Northern Bank at Head Office.  

Whilst in Belfast, he played for the North of Ireland Rugby Football Club. 

Transfers followed to Antrim Road (1932 - Junior) and Head Office (1935 - Stock Coupon).

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

White volunteered and enlisted into the 3rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade and was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 24th August 1939 into the 8th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. 

He married Connie on 6th October 1939, just one month after war was declared. As was the custom (bank rules) at the time, it is probable that as a junior and not earning very much, Louis would have had to request permission from the bank Director's to get married. Presumably the start of the war helped his case.

His rank and promotions were Bombardier, Lance Sergeant, Sergeant, 2nd Lieutenant, Lieutenant and Captain.  His Service Number (Officer) was 163000. 

He served at Dunkirk and in India and Burma from 1942 to the end of the war.

8th Belfast HAA Regiment, Royal Artillery - probably around 1945. 

Acknowledgements to lennonwylie

Michael White was born in 1943 and was educated at Coleraine Inst.

White resumed duty with the Northern Bank on 15th November 1945 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Donegall Square (1945 - Junior, Ledgers, Control Clerk, Teller), Portrush (1956 - Teller), Markets (1962 - Sub-Manager) and High Street (1967 - Joint Manager).  

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

Northern Bank, Portrush branch

Northern Bank, Markets branch

A newspaper advertisement in the Belfast Telegraph dated 7th December 1970 advises readers that the Northern Bank, Belfast Bank branch, Castle Place, Belfast has closed and the business merged with the branch at 10 High Street, Belfast. The joint managers are Mr L McK White and Mr J F McIlmoyle.

Merger of 17 Castle Place with 10 High Street, Belfast

White continued his Army career in the Territorial Army rising to the rank of Major. Retirement from the Army came on 9th December 1961 having exceeded the age limit. 

He retired on ill-heath grounds in 1971. 

In 1972, he and Connie joined their son, Michael and his wife in Auckland, New Zealand.

White is remembered on his school roll of honour:

Masonic Boys School, Dublin - Roll of Honour

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Winter 1972)’ contains this article:

The Link. Winter 1972

Connie White died on 10th August 1980 and Louis on 27th January 1982. They are both buried in Auckland, New Zealand.

Acknowledgements to Louis White's son, Michael for additional information.

Also see this blog by Michael White who writes about living in Portrush when his dad was a cashier in the Northern Bank there:

Portrush Tales - part 1

Portrush Tales - part 2