Alexander, James Harold

Lance Corporal James Harold Alexander

Alexander was born at Listooder, Saintfield, Co. Down on 12th June 1886 to Thomas Alexander, Milling & Presbyterian Minister and Martha Alexander nee Godfrey. They had married on 19th July 1877 at May Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

In 1901 Alexander (14) was living in house 31, Listooder, Kilmore with his parents and 3 siblings; Florence (8), Elsie (18) and William G (12).

The 'Belfast News-Letter' of 15th November 1902 reports in an advertisement for Skerries Academy, Royal Avenue, Belfast that James H Alexander passed his Belfast Banking Company entrance examination in July 1902.

J H Alexander - Examination Success

His Bankers Guarantee was signed by Samuel Alexander, Wellington Street, Ballymena and then James Alexander, Church Street, Ballymena.

J H Alexander, Bankers Guarantee Ledger page

He is recorded as working in Dungannon branch.

Belfast Banking Company, Dungannon branch

In 1911, Alexander is living in house 15 Listooder with his parents and brother, William G. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. 

Around 1915 Alexander volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse with Service Number 1281. He transferred to the Tank Corps and was allocated Service Number 305502. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 2nd May 1915.

J H Alexander - Medal Index Card

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

Agnew, David

Seaman David Agnew

Agnew was born at Ruth Street, Belfast on 15th August 1895 to Andrew Agnew, Sailor and Agnes M Agnew nee Davison. They had married on 27th July 1894 at Magheramourne Presbyterian Chuch, Larne, Co. Antrim.

In 1901 Agnew (6) lived in house 8 Mountcollyer Street, Belfast with his mother (33), an aunt Martha Isabella Agnew (20) and aunt Annie Brown (30), cousins David Brown (7) and James Brown (5) and his brother, James Foster (0).

 
In 1911 Agnew (15) lived in house 20 Mountcollyer Street, Belfast with his mother (42), his aunts Jenny Agnew (33) and Martha Agnew (30) and 3 siblings; Mary (6) and Isabel (4).

Later addresses for his parents would be 150 Mount Collier Street, Belfast and Tallynellan, Cavehill Road, Belfast.

 
Agnew probably joined the Belfast Banking Company about 1913/14. He saw service in Portadown and Killinchy branches. His Bankers Guarantee was signed by Andrew Agnew, Agnes Maria Agnew and Isobel Agnew. also signed the guarantee.

Belfast Bank, Bankers Guarantee Ledger

Belfast Bank, Portadown branch

Belfast Bank, Killinchy branch (later building)

On 15th December 1915 David Agnew volunteered and enlisted at Chatham into the Royal Navy with the rank of Seaman. His Service Number was 244563.

His Royal Navy service record is below:

Royal Navy Service Record for David Agnew

David Agnew served at HMS Pembroke (Royal Naval Barracks), HMS Ganges (Shore Establishment), HMS Pembroke (again) and HMS Diligence (was the former SS Tabaristan, purchased on 29th January 1913 and completed in October of that year as a depot ship).

He was discharged on 26th February 1919. It is presumed that he-joined the Belfast Banking Company.

An Ancestry Tree reports him as dying on 17th May 1972.

Cameron, James S

Cadet James Steel Cameron

Cameron was born at The Pass, Articlave, Co. Londonderry on 21st February 1897 to John Cameron, Farmer and Margaret Cameron nee Montgomery. They had married on 20th January 1887 at the 2nd Dunboe Presbyterian Church, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry.

In 1901 Cameron (4) was living in house 21, Ballinrees, Letterloan, Co. Londonderry with his parents, paternal grandparents, Isaac & Rachel and 7 siblings; Rachel A (13), Esther K (12), Isaac (10), Joseph M (9), Thomas J (7), William M (5) and Margarette H (2).

By 1911 the property was known as house 1, Ballinrees, Letterloan, Co. Londonderry. Cameron was living with his parents, his paternal grandmother and 8 siblings; Rachel A, Esther K, Isaac, Joseph M, William M, Margaret H, Jeannie (8) and David L (4).

On 28th September 1912, Cameron signed the Ulster Covenant at 2nd Presbyterian Church, Drumboe, Coleraine along with his father John A Cameron.

Cameron would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1914. His father, John signed the Bankers Guarantee for him.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee Ledger

Cameron worked in Londonderry, Head Office and Portaferry branches.

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

Cameron volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force on 30th May 1918 as a Private with Service Number 177565. His RAF document classes his trade as a 'Pilot'. The Belfast Bank war memorial describes him as a 'Cadet'.

James S Cameron - RAF Document (front)

James S Cameron - RAF Document (back)

Following demobilisation, Cameron was transferred to Class G Reserve, on 1st February 1919. 

He re-joined the Belfast Banking Company and served in Rathfriland before transferring to Portaferry branch in 1927.

Belfast Bank, Rathfriland branch

Belfast Bank, Portaferry branch

The 'Belfast Telegraph' of  25th June 1925 reported the marriage of James S Cameron to Miss Kathleen H Shaw on 15th June 1925.

The 'Portadown News' of 6th March 1948 reported that Cameron was part of the organising committee of Portadown Boat Club.

Belfast Bank, Portadown branch

Southam, Ernest

Corporal Ernest Southam

Ernest Southam was born at 34 Upper Canning Street, Belfast on 6th January 1920 to Richard Francis Southam, Soldier and Mary Ann Southam nee Little. They were married at St Anne's Church of Ireland on 8th October 1906. Richard was a Lance Corporal in the Royal Irish Rifles based in Victoria Barracks, Belfast.

The 1939 Belfast Street Directory records Richard Southam as the caretaker of Northern Bank, 109-113 Royal Avenue branch.

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Southam, Service Number 7012844, served with the 1st (Airborne) Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles. He died in France on 23rd August 1944.

Casualty List extract - Cpl E Southam

Southam was married to Amelia Elizabeth Southam, of Brithdir, New Tredegar, Monmouthshire, Wales.

Ernest & Amelia Southam

[Courtesy of Michael Clarke's Ancestry archive]

Southam is buried in a CWGC marked grave in the Tourgeville Military Cemetery, Calvados Region, France.

Corporal Ernest Southam - CWGC Headstone

[Courtesy of Find a Grave website]

At the location of Southam's death, there is a marker listing the names of Southam and two colleagues:

[Courtesy of Michael Clarke]

A family 'in loving memory of' card:

[Courtesy of Michael Clarke's Ancestry archive]

I am grateful to Richard Southam's grandson, Michael Clarke, for permitting me to publish a couple of the  images above. Michael writes:

"Many thanks, yes my Grandfather Richard Francis Southam worked for the Northern Bank, he served in WW1 and afterwards was RSM of the Lisburn C Specials and then worked for the bank. My Mother lived in the bank with some of her siblings and Parents, I was in it a couple of years ago and was allowed to go onto the top floor where they lived. I have a photo of my Grandfather on the roof [see below] and a letter [see below] from the Northern Bank thanking him for saving the Company car from the stationary building during the blitz and awarding him £10. My Grandfather took my Mum and one of my Uncles up onto the roof after the air raids had stopped one night and my Mum said it was like a scene from hell, everywhere was burning all over Belfast.

Coincidently, the writer, Gavin Bamford worked in 109-113 Royal Avenue branch in the 1970s/80s. After Gavin's father died in 1961, his mother took on a 'charlady' called Bella (can't recall her surname) who lived in the caretakers flat in the 1960s.

Richard Southam, as a caretaker, would probably also have been a 'fire-warden' for the bank keeping an eye out at night during the German blitz periods over Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland. This next photo shows Richard Southam on the roof of the Northern bank head office on Victoria Street / Queen's Square.

[Courtesy of Michael Clarke]

[Google Earth view of the former Northern Bank head office 

showing the dome where Richard Southam is standing]

The letter from the bank relating to the 'incendiary bomb' that landed on the roof of the bank 'Stationery Store' on the night of 4th/5th May 1941. This period was known as the 'fire raid'.

[Courtesy of Michael Clarke]

Coleman, William Desmond

William Desmond Coleman (known as Desmond)

Desmond Coleman was a Belfast Bank official (accountant) between the years of 1929 to the 1930s and although he is not recorded on the Belfast Bank War Memorial / Roll of Honour, he qualifies as a former official who served in WW2 with the Royal Artillery (22 Mountain Regiment, Royal Indian Artillery).

Coleman was born at Belfast Bank, Hill Street, Newry on 27th January 1912 to William Hanna Coleman, Bank Manager and Hester Lavinia Coleman nee Crossett. They had married on 31st August 1905 at Second Presbyterian Church, Cookstown whilst Wm H was working in the Belfast Bank, Cookstown branch.

On the previous census day, 2nd April 1911, the family were recorded as living at house no. 1 (Belfast Bank), Hill Street, Newry. The parents and 2 children; Margaret Kennedy (Peggy) (4) and Noel M (3) were present along with two servants; Sarah Henry (48) and Maggie Sloan (18).

June 1926 saw the marriage of Peggy Coleman to Mr J B Harris.

The Ballymena Observer published on Friday, 23rd August 1929 reports W D Coleman as entering the Belfast Bank at Head Office. A transfer followed in September 1931 to Kilkeel branch.

The Belfast Telegraph published on Saturday, 11th May 1935 reports on the banking examinations for W D Coleman, Belfast Bank, Kilkeel branch. 

May 1936 saw the marriage of Miss Noel M Coleman to Mr W D Wolseley, RUC. W D Coleman was an usher.

Wedding of Miss Noel M Coleman to Mr W D Wolseley
(Belfast Telegraph, 24th June 1936)

Promotion to Accountant in Kilkeel branch followed in 1937.

Coleman was elected Treasurer of Kilkeel Badminton Club in 1938.

The Frontier Sentinel published on Saturday, 16th September 1939 reported the loss of life of Mrs Burrows in the 'Athenia Disaster'. Mrs Burrows was the sister of Mr W H Coleman. The SS Athenia was sunk by the German Navy on 3rd September 1939 becoming the first British ship sunk during the Second World War. 

Coleman resigned from the Belfast Bank and joined the Imperial Bank of India at their Calcutta branch. He 'gave up an important position' to join the Royal Artillery at the outbreak of war and was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with Service Number 132871 in the Royal Regiment of Artillery from an Officer Cadet Training Unit on 16th June 1940. 

Newry Telegraph, 28th March 1942

[Courtesy of Nigel Henderson]

The newspaper report says he was safe but CWGC records that he died on 16th February 1942. It is thought that the letter in the article was written after the Japanese invasion of Malaya but before the Fall of Singapore.

Coleman was serving with the Royal Artillery (22 Mountain Regiment, Royal Indian Artillery) when he was Killed in Action on 16th February 1942, aged 30. He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial at Kranji and on the Second World War memorial window in Downshire Road Presbyterian Church, Newry. He is also commemorated on a personal memorial window in the same church.

W D Coleman Family Memorial Window

Downshire Road Presbyterian Church, Newry

[Courtesy of Nigel Henderson]

His death was verified by the War Office on 8th March 1946 Lieutenant William Desmond Coleman 

W D Coleman of Moyne, Rostrevor Road, Warrenpoint. Probate was granted to William Coleman, father, retired bank manager on 3rd December 1942. Estate was £1,067 17s 2d.

Buchanan, John Gerard (Junior)

2nd Lieutenant John Gerard Buchanan Junior

Buchanan was born at Castletown, Fintona, Co. Tyrone on 24th July 1898 to John Gerard Buchanan, Bank Cashier and Annie Elizabeth Buchanan nee Johnston. They were married on 25th August 1891 at Fintona Presbyterian Church.

In 1901, Buchanan (2) was living in house 27, Main Street, Fintona, Co. Tyrone with his parents and 3 siblings; William Arthur I (8), Hugh J (5) and Margaret J (0). Two servants also lived in the house, Catherine J Preston and Sarah A McGrath.

Buchanan's father, John G Buchanan is recorded as a Bank Manager. The address is that of the Northern Bank branch.

Northern Bank House, Main Street, Fintona

By 1911, the family are still living in Northern Bank House,  (house) 23, Main Street, Fintona, Co. Tyrone. The family has expanded to William Arthur I (18), Hugh J (15), Margaret E (14), John G (12), Amelia M G (7) and Mabel D (6).

[Hugh J Buchanan joined the Northern Bank and also served in the Great War].

Buchanan would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1915/1916. His Bankers Guarantee bond was signed by his father, John G Buchanan Senior, John James Knox Johnston of Crannyvale, Fintona and his brother, Hugh J Buchanan. In 1949 his sister Margaret joined in the signing.

Family headstone, John G Buchanan
Hillsborough Parish Churchyard

Buchanan volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery soon after and attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

J G Buchanan - Medal Index Card

The 'Belfast News-Letter' of 7th June 1918 reported the gassing and wounding of Buchanan :

Buchanan was awarded the British War Medal and the British Victory medal for his service.

Following his demobilisation, Buchanan worked in Saintfield, Aughnacloy and Kesh as Manager from 1950.

Belfast Bank, Saintfield branch

Belfast Bank, Aughnacloy branch

Belfast Bank, Kesh branch

The 'Belfast News-Letter' of 1st October 1934 reported the marriage of John Buchanan to Dorothy M A Naylor of Fintona on 15th September 1934.

Buchanan retired in 1960 and died on 9th June 1965.

J G Buchanan - Probate

Buchanan's nephew (son of Hugh Buchanan), John Gerard Buchanan, Barrister-at-Law was later to become an Irish High Court judge. He died in 2018.

The Belfast News Letter of 30th October 1915 reports this of another brother, W A I Buchanan:

The Belfast News Letter of 28th July 1916 reports this of a brother, W A I Buchanan:

The Belfast News Letter of 30th July 1917 reports the death of his brother W A I Buchanan

Wilgar, William James

Lieutenant William James Wilgar 

Wilgar was born at Ballylesson on 8th February 1892 to John Wilgar (Bank Clerk, Northern Bank and Farmer) and Jane Wilgar nee Clarke. They were married on 9th September 1880 at Castlereagh Presbyterian Church,

In 1901, Wilgar (9) is living in house 52, Ballylesson, Breda Ward, Belfast with his parents and 4 sisters; Eveline (6), Rosanne (19), Jane Clark (17) & Marion Elizabeth (11). An aunt, Jane Wilgar and 2 servants; Martha Millar and Ellen White are also present.

On 14th July 1908 Wilgar joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Donegall Square (1909) and Head Office – Relief (1911). 

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

In 1911 Wilgar is living an house 11, Ballylesson, Breda, Belfast with his parents and 2 sisters; Marion Elizabeth and Eveline. An aunt, Jane Wilgar is also in the house.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Wilgar signed the Ulster Covenant at Drumbo. 

On 25th February 1915, whilst on Relief Staff, Wilgar volunteered and enlisted into the 11th Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at the age of 23.  

He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and transferred into the Machine-Gun Corps. Promotion to Lieutenant followed. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 12th March 1916.

Medal Index Card - W J Wilgar

Wilgar received one injury, a gunshot wound. The Belfast News Letter dated 30th August 1916 reported:

His address was reported as 'Fernlea', Lisburn Road, Belfast.

On 3rd September 1916 the Casualty List announced:

"Listed as "Wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office. This man was entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of the 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by their naming in this list."

Wilgar saw service at the Somme 1916, Messines 1917, Ypres 1917 (Passchendaele), Cambrai 1917, Allied Retreat 1918 and the Allied Advance 1918.  

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

Medal Roll - W J Wilgar

On 2nd September 1919 the London Gazette announced the awarding of the Belgian Croix de Guerre to Temp Lt Wm J Wilgar:

"Gazette No. 31537. Croix de Guerre. The following are among the Decorations and Medals awarded by the Allied Powers and various dates to the British Forces for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign. His Majesty the King has given unrestricted permission in all cases to wear the Decorations and Medals in question. Decorations Conferred by, His Majesty the King of the Belgians."

Following his demobilisation, Wilgar re-joined the Northern Bank on 16th July 1919 at Grafton Street, Dublin as a Junior before being promoted to Teller.

Northern Bank, Grafton Street branch, Dublin

Further transfers followed to Antrim (1929 - Manager), Letterkenny (1937 - Manager) and Ballycastle (1943 - Manager). 

Northern Bank, Antrim branch

In 1929 Wilgar was elected as Treasurer of Antrim Royal British Legion.

Northern Bank, Ballycastle branch

William Wilgar retired on 31st December 1953. He was a member of Lisnagarvey Hockey Club.

W J Wilgar of Northern Bank, Antrim is reported as being the Secretary of Masserene Golf Club in 1935 (The Ulster Tourist Development Association Ltd). 

The family were members of Malone Presbyterian Church. His name is recorded on the church War Memorial and on their Roll of Honour.

He died on 13th October 1968 leaving a widow Ann Isobel Wilgar (nee Miller).

W J Wilgar is buried in Drumbo Presbyterian Church Graveyard. He is also remembered on the church War Memorial.

Headstone on the grave of W J Wilgar at Ballylesson Graveyard