Gold, David Arthur

Lance Corporal David Arthur Gold

was born at Ballybay on 24th February 1880 to David Gold, Land Agent and Anne Jane Gold nee Johnston. They had married on 11th June 1868 at Ballybay Church of Ireland.

David joined Northern Bank on 10th March 1897 in Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Londonderry (1897 - Junior), Hillsborough (1898 - Junior), Ballycastle (1900 - Junior), Claudy (1901 - Junior), Head Office (1906) and Comber (1907 - Cashier), Head Office (1913) and Fintona (1914 - Cashier).

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Northern Bank, Ballycastle branch

Northern Bank, Claudy branch

Northern Bank, Comber branch

Northern Bank, Fintona branch (1980s)

Courtesy of Allan McCullough & family

In 1901 Arthur (as record in census) was boarding with a Margaret Archibald in house 33 North Street, Ballycastle. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

By 1911, Arthur is boarding with the Brown family in house 1 Town Parks, Comber, Co. Down. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Cashier. Whilst in Comber, David played cricket for the North Down Cricket club with his name appearing in various newspaper sports reports.

David (as per Medal Index Card) Gold was based in Fintona branch when he volunteered and enlisted into the 14th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles as a Private with Service Number 14/17726. His first theatre of war is recorded as France form 5th October 1915.

D A Gold - Medal Index Card

He was later promoted to Lance Corporal and saw action in the Somme (1916). At some stage he received a gunshot wound and lost his right eye. 

His Army Service Record is complete and consists of over 20 pages, some with scorch marks arising from a fire during World War 2.

D A Gold - Army Service Record

D A Gold - Army Service Record

David Gold was taken prisoner and became a Prisoner of War in Germany. His Army Service Record records his period off captivity from 2nd July 1916 to 23rd November 1918 when he was repatriated to the UK. During his period of captivity, Northern Bank staff attempted to trace him.

10th August 1916 - Letter from Northern Bank to Infantry Record Office, Dublin

16th August 1916 - Memo from Infantry Records to Northern Bank

Demobilisation came in March 1919 and he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal for service during the Great War.

D A Gold - Memo re 1914-15 Star Medal

D A Gold - Memo re British War & Victory Medals

Following demobilisation, David Gold re-joined Northern Bank. He also applied for a pension as a result of the loss of his right eye. His residence is recorded on the Pension record Card as Northern Banking Company, Ballymena.

D A Gold - Pension Record Card

D A Gold - Pension Record Card

David Gold re-joined Northern Bank on 22nd April 1919 and after a short period in Head Office, he was appointed manager of Shercock branch.

Northern Bank, Shercock branch

On 21st January 1920 David Gold resigned from Northern Bank on pension. He had 23 years of service.

David Gold died on 11th January 1954.