Weir, William

Lieutenant William Weir

Weir was born in Ballykeel, (Ballynahinch Road), Lisburn on 11th January 1887 to Thomas Weir, Farmer and Margaret Jane Weir nee Adair. 

Thomas Weir died aged 59 on 29th November 1888 at Hillsborough.

In 1901, Weir (Willie 13) lived in house 31, Dromore Street, Ballynahinch, Co. Down with his mother and 5 siblings; Agnes (25), Maggie (24), Rebecca (20), Thomas (18) and Sarah (16).

 
On 12th December 1904 he joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Grafton Street (1905), Hillsborough (1906), Dungloe (1909), Head Office (1910) and Lisburn (1910). 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank , Grafton Street, Dublin
 (tall building with chimneys)

Northern Bank, Dungloe branch

Northern Banking Company Lisburn branch
(building replaced in 1920s)

In 1911, Weir was living in house 23, Burmah Street, Ormeau Ward, Belfast with his mother, sisters Rebecca and Sarah and a step brother, Oliver Watson (2) and a step sister Mabel Watson (1). Mary Jane Weir had married Oliver Watson on 11th September 1907 at Ballynahinch.

Weir played golf in the first Northern Bank golf outing on 21st March 1913 at Dunmurry:

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie

On 12th February 1915, whilst based in Lisburn he volunteered and enlisted into the Honourable Artillery Coy (Infantry) as a Private with Service Number 7016. He rose through the ranks until he went to Cadet School. 

W Weir - Medal Index Card

Weir was later gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment before being posted to the 2nd Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. Subsequently he was promoted to Lieutenant. He saw service at Macedonia, Army of Occupation Chanak, Dardanelles and Bullecourt.

Weir received a slight gunshot wound to the left shoulder. Demobilisation came in November 1919. He was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

W Weir - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation he re-joined Northern Bank on 1st December 1919 in Lisburn. 

In December 1919 he married a Miss Johnston of Lisburn. 

The Lisburn Standard of 21st October 1921 carried this advertisement with William Weir mentioned:

Transfers followed to Saintfield (1923), Antrim (1924), Limavady (1929), Donegall Square (1936), Royal Avenue (1941) and Donegall Square – Manager (1943).

Northern Bank, Saintfield branch (later building)

Northern Bank, Antrim branch

Cheques drawn on Northern Bank, Limavady branch

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch (centre building)

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

The British Newspaper Archives carry many clippings mentioning William Weir linked to Antrim and Limavady branches. He was also involved in the Royal British Legion and various rugby clubs.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (August 1981)’ contains a photograph of Weir in a 1913 Northern Bank Staff Golf outing.

Wm Weir - 1913 Northern Bank Golf Outing

William Weir is remembered on a memorial in Railway Street Presbyterian Church, Lisburn.

PRONI wills records "Weir William of 486 Lisburn Road Belfast retired bank manager died 16 December 1958 Probate Belfast 9 March to Northern Bank Limited. Effects £2000 3s. 6d.".