Boyd, Ronald Mills

Fusilier Ronald Mills Boyd

Boyd was born on 1st May 1923 to Mr Boyd and Mrs Boyd nee Malseed with the birth being registered in the Londonderry district. 

He joined the Belfast Banking Company around May 1941. James Malseed (Solicitor of Donegall Square West, Belfast and Letterkenny) signed his Bankers Guarantee and gave his address as ? House, Letterkenny. He is recorded as working in Larne branch.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Larne branch

R M Boyd, Portrush branch, is recorded in the Belfast Telegraph of 15th May 1942 as passing the Preliminary Examination of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland.

Belfast Bank, Portrush branch

The Forces War Record database has a record for a R M Boyd (Service Number 3195590) as serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and being wounded in an incident in North Africa on 14th May 1943. This is reported in the Londonderry Sentinel of 26th June 1943.

Ancestry has a Voters Roll record for a Ronald Mills Boyd with a birth date between 1921 to 1923 and living in 2003 to 2010 at 2 Clearwater, Londonderry.

The Funeral Times website records the death of R M Boyd:

Boyd Ronald Mills - 23rd August 2019 (Peacefully at Altnagelvin Hospital) Aged 96 Years. Loving Husband of the Late Val. Sadly missed by his Stepchildren, Suzan and Peter, Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews.

A Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday 4th September 2019 at 1.00pm in Adair and Neely Funeral Home, Foyle Road followed by Burial in Ballyoan Cemetery. 

Boyd, Alexander Ernest

Alexander Ernest Boyd

Boyd (see obituary at end) joined the Belfast Banking Company with his father signing his Bankers Guarantee for him and giving his address as Moneymore, Co. Londonderry. The bank also held a letter dated 26th November 1946 from Reverend Wm Thomas Boyd with an address of RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, England. William was Ernest's brother. He was a Chaplain in the RAF.

BBCo - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

The Forces War Records database records an Alexander Ernest Boyd with Service Number 2205561 enlisting into the RAF after October 1942.

Following his demobilisation after the war, Boyd worked in Armagh branch. The Portadown News of 14th August 1937 reports his transfer from Armagh to Lurgan branch.

Belfast Bank, Armagh branch

Belfast Bank, Lurgan branch

The Portadown Times of 17th October 1952 has an obituary for Alexander Boyd, Ernest's father.. He was a Justice of the Peace (Magistrate).

Boyd is recorded as working in the Belfast Bank, Ballyclare branch.

Belfast Bank, Ballyclare branch 

Nixon, William James

Leading Writer William James Nixon

Nixon was born at Clough, Co. Down on 16th November 1922 to John Nixon and Mrs Nixon nee Rainey. They were married on 11th January 1922 with the marriage being registered in Lisburn. 

Nixon joined the Northern Bank on 8th April 1941 at Head Office.  

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Fivemiletown (1941 - Junior), Shankill Road (1942 - Junior), Head Office (1943) and Connswater (1943 - Junior).

Northern Bank, Fivemiletown (in there somewhere)

Northern Bank, Shankill Road, Belfast

Nixon resigned from the bank on 31st October 1944 to volunteer and enlist into the Fleet Air Arm branch of the Royal Navy. His final rank is detailed as Leading Writer.

Royal Navy - Leading Writer

On 27 January 1947 Nixon resumed duty with the Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Grafton Street (1947 - Junior), Coleraine (1948 - Assistant Accountant), Ballymoney (1949 - Accountant), Ballinamore (1953 - Cashier), Carndonagh (1956 - Cashier), Grafton Street (1956 - Cashier), Armagh (1958 - Cashier and Assistant Manager), Markets (1967 - Sub-manager), Dromore (1969 - Manager) and Trevor Hill, Newry (1971).

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin branch

Northern Bank, Coleraine branch

Northern Bank, Ballymoney branch (Danske Bank)

Northern Bank, Ballinamore branch

Northern Bank, Carndonagh branch

Northern Bank, Armagh branch

Northern Bank, Markets branch

Northern Bank, Dromore branch

Northern Bank, Newry branch

The Belfast Telegraph of 17th August 1961 reported on the marriage of William Nixon to Miss Margaret Jean Moira Thompson of Tara, Donaghadee at Knock Methodist Church, Belfast.

Adair, William Alexander Gallantry

Flying Officer William Alexander Gallantry Adair

Adair was born at 28 Bishop Street, Londonderry on 9th July 1920 to William Adair, Undertaker and Mabel Adair nee Brown. They had married on 22nd March 1906 at Ebrington Presbyterian Church.

Adair probably joined the Belfast Banking Company in 1918. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him giving his address and occupation as Spring Grove, Londonderry – Funeral Director and Motor Hirer.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Adair left the Bank for War Service on 1st July 1939 and returned from Active Service on 23rd September 1946.

 
Adair resigned from the Bank on 31st October 1946. The following shipping manifest gives his occupation as a Funeral Director and Motor Hirer and Pharmacist.

 
The London Gazette records a W A G Adair with Service Number 1795420 being promoted from Pilot Officer to Flying Officer in 1961. His first names were confirmed against his Service Number in a 1958 London Gazette edition.

The Londonderry Sentinel of 25th October 1952 reports on the wedding of W A G Adair to Miss Joan Margaret Taylor at Carlisle Road Presbyterian Church, Londonderry.

William and Joan returned from their honeymoon in Madeira, Portugal to Plymouth, England arriving on 8th November 1952 on the ship Venus of the Bergen Steamship Company.

Shipping Passenger Manifest

Lilburn, Joseph Lockington

Flight Lieutenant Joseph Lockington Lilburn

Lilburn was born at Belfast Bank House, Dundalk on 22nd September 1919 to Robert Stanley Henry Lilburn, Bank Manager and Martha Elizabeth Lilburn nee Lockington. They had married at Castlebellingham, Co. Louth on 5th December 1917.

Belfast Bank, Dundalk branch & house

(Following partition, the BBCo sold its branches (& staff) to the Royal Bank of Ireland)

Lilburn joined the Belfast Banking Company on 4th May 1937. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and gave his address as 11 Temple Villas, Palmerston Road, Dublin. At time he was working for the Royal Bank of Ireland Ltd following his legal transfer from the Belfast Bank.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Lilburn (21) married a Miss Eileen Parke (18) on 14th November 1940 at St Polycarp's Church of Ireland.

He once wrote: 

“…. Had there not been no war, I should not have thought of getting married until I have at least 10 years service in the Bank….”

Lilburn volunteered and enlisted into the RAF (Volunteer Reserve) and rose through the ranks to Warrant Officer (Service Number 745459). He was promoted to Pilot Officer (with Service Number 156634) on 11th July 1943, Flying Officer on 11th January 1944 and Flight Lieutenant on 18th March 1945. He was then retained permanently on the RAF Active List until 1954. 

A family friend of Joseph is in possession of copies of his Log Book describing every flight he made during and after the war. 

‘Paddy' Lilburn, as he was known, initially flew from RAF Eglinton Airport (now known as the City of Derry Airport). He flew Hurricanes and Spitfires during the war but did not take part in the Battle of Britain due to being posted to Scotland. Later he flew missions over Europe. 

The Northern Whig of 6th December 1945 carries a report from Saigon, Vietnam:

There were a few golfing reports in papers around 1946. 

Lilburn was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club on 24th April 1946 paying 5 shillings subscription. He served in Head Office and North End branch. 

Lilburn  resigned from the bank on 11th July 1946 instead choosing to stay in the RAF. 

The Belfast News-Letter of 19th December 1947 reported the divorce of Joseph Lilburn and Mrs Eileen O Lilburn with Mrs Lilburn retaining custody of their 2 children.

 

Lilburn died on 14th November 2002 in Horsham, West Sussex. He was described as a retired Fighter Pilot.

The Somme Museum, Conlig holds a guitar inscribed with the signatures of many servicemen including J L Lilburn.

Photos courtesy of the Somme Museum

Roll of Honour - August

It is with much sadness that the following bank officials died or were reported missing during either the Great War, World War II or the Northern Ireland Conflict.

07/08/1917 - McFall, Thomas Lamont - updated

16/08/1917 - Hill, Adam Cyril Darley - updated

16/08/1917 - Seymour, William Matthew - updated

18/08/1917 - Christie, Charles MacGillicuddy - updated

18/08/1944 - Connor, Desmond William - updated

Roll of Honour - July

It is with much sadness that the following bank officials died or were reported missing during either the Great War, World War II or the Northern Ireland Conflict.

01/07/1916 - Breene, Thomas Frederick - updated

01/07/1916 - Campbell, Samuel McDonnell - updated

01/07/1916 - Hamilton, John - updated

01/07/1916 - Hewitt, William Arthur - updated

01/07/1916 - Roberts, Hugh Stanley - updated

04/07/1941 - Irwin, John Cecil Brandon - updated

16/07/1916 - Stewart, Eric Hilton - updated

30/07/1916 - Watson, James - updated

31/07/1917 - Furniss, James - updated

Carson, Henry

Acting Major Henry Carson

Carson was born at Mays Buildings, Cliftonville Road, Belfast on 25th November 1919 to George Moore Carson, Salesman and Ada Carson nee May. They had married on 25th April 1918 at the Church of St Silas, Belfast. George was recorded as a Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. 

On 2nd May 1938 Carson joined Northern Bank at Head Office. His address on the Staff Record card is Ballykinlar, Clough, Co. Down.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Raphoe (1938 - Relief), Grafton Street (1939 - Relief), Ball’s Branch (1939 - Relief), Head Office (1939), Newtownards (1939 - Junior) and Head Office (1940).

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin branch

Northern Bank, Newtownards branch

Carson was ‘Called up’ on 30th July 1940 and joined the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Staff Record card) with the rank of Fusilier. Promotion to Corporal (1943) before gaining a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant (1943). He may also have served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as Acting Major.

 
On 4th November 1946 Carson resumed duty with Northern Bank from Active Service. Transfers followed to Portrush (1949 - Relief), Head Office (1949), Larne (1951 - Accountant & Cashier), Ballyclare (1962 - Pro-manager) and Newtownstewart (1966 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Portrush branch

Northern Bank, Larne branch

Northern Bank, Ballyclare branch

Northern Bank, Newtownstewart branch

In April 1950 Carson married a former official, Miss Hazel Fergus of Portadown.

The Larne Times of 27th October 1955 carries an advertisement for tickets to the British Lions XV versus Ulster at Ravenhill match with tickets available from H Carson, Northern Bank, Larne.

Allen, Anthony Edward Dalton

Anthony Edward Dalton Allen

Allen was born at Lower Sydenham on 16th September 1907 to Anthony Cowdy Allen, Manager of Linen Warehouse and Ellen Jane Allen nee Martin.

In 1911 Allen (3) lived at house 53 South Parade, Belfast. A servant, Helen Croosey also lived in the house. His name is written as Adrain.

Allen probably joined the Belfast Banking Company about 1925. Frederick Chas Cowdy signed the Bankers Guarantee for him and later, Anthony Lloyd Cowdy also signed. Anthony is recorded as working in Banbridge branch.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Banbridge branch

The Belfast Telegraph of 11th May 1935 reports in an advertisement that A Allen, Belfast Bank, Kilkeel has passed the Special Diploma in Foreign Exchange, Institute of Bankers in Ireland.

Belfast Bank, Kilkeel branch

Allen volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Artillery and was promoted in 1940 to a 2nd Lieutenant. Further promotions occurred taking him up to Captain. Following the war, Anthony continued his army service in the Territorial Army; Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's). 

The Northern Whig of 29th December 1941 announced the birth of a daughter on 21st April 1941 to Lieutenant A E D Allen, Royal Artillery, 3rd (Ulster) S L Regiment. (Late Belfast Bank, Banbridge).

The Mid-Ulster Mail of 7th April 1945 carries an advertisement for a 'General Maid with some experience'. apply Mrs Allen, Belfast Bank House, Cookstown.

Belfast Bank, Cookstown branch

Allen  was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in March 1948 paying 1 shilling subscription.

Captain A E D Allen with Service Number 126642 retired from army service on 16th September 1952.

The Portadown Times of 13th January 1956 published an obituary for A E D Allen, Cashier, Belfast Bank, Banbridge.

Bates, Arthur Henry

Major Arthur Henry Bates

Bates was born at 27 Upper Mount Street, Dublin on 17th October 1907 to Arthur Henry Bates, Kings Council and Mary Kyle Bates nee Knox. They had married at St Patrick's Church, Jordanstown on 3rd April 1900. Arthur is recorded as a Barrister. He had been studying law since about 1873. Mary Kyle was the daughter of R Kyle Knox who was a Northern Bank official who had served in the Great War.

In 1911 Bates (3) was living in house 27.2 Upper Mount Street, South Dock, Dublin with his mother and 3 siblings; Victor (10), Theodore (8), Phyllis Victor (6). An aunt, Margaret Jane Bates (72) and 3 servants; Mary Christie (28), Jane Fitzgerald (25) and Maggie Doran (21) were also present in the house.

Arthur Bates Senior was visiting house 3, Annadale Avenue, Belfast on Census Day 1911.

The Northern Whig of 10th May 1912 reported that Arthur (Senior)'s brother Edward Bates of St Columba, Knock, Belfast had left his estate to his brother and to Henry I Johns of the Belfast Banking Company.

Bates (Junior) joined Northern Bank on 15th September 1925 at Head Office (Relief). Transfers followed to Markets (1925 - Junior), Head Office (1926), Markets (1926) and Head Office (1928).

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Markets branch

Bates was transferred to the bank Solicitors Department in 1930.

The Belfast Telegraph of 19th May 1934 carries a report into a legal case where the Right Honourable Sir Dawson Bates and Arthur Henry Bates are the Plaintiffs. Arthur's brother Theodore Bates was killed in the accident.

Bates married a Miss Sylvia Pring on 8th September 1934 at Whiteabbey. This photograph appeared in the Belfast Telegraph of 10th September 1934:

Bates was reported in 1937 to be the Sub-Manager of the Stock Department of Northern bank.

The bank Staff Record card has an annotation that Arthur was allowed to apply for a commission in the army. Subsequently, on 21st August 1939, he was ‘Called up for Active Service’ and joined the 23rd Battery, Royal Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant with Service Number 87448. 

In 1940 he was promoted to Captain in the 8th Anti Aircraft Regiment. In 1941, he was to hold the rank of War Substantive Major.

Bates is recorded as serving with H M Gabbey (Belfast Banking Company).

On 12th November 1945, Arthur resumed duty in the Bank at Head Office with a transfer to Royal Avenue soon after.

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Bates resigned from the Bank in 1947 to join the firm of Messrs Josias Cunningham & Co as a partner.

Belfast Stock Exchange

In January 1974 Major Arthur Bates was appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland as the High Sherriff for County Antrim.

Bates continued (or joined) the Burma Star Association in 1985.

Burma Star Association - Major A H Bates

Also see the website of LennonWylie for the 8th Belfast HAA Sqn Royal Artillery.

https://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/8th_belfast_haa_regt_memorabilia1.htm

https://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/8th_belfast_haa_regt_RHQMemorialBrochure.htm

https://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/WW2DiaryWright1.htm

Major A H Bates died in 2001.