Paul, William Robert

Acting Quarter Master Sergeant William Robert Paul

According to the bank Staff Record card, Paul was born on 30th August 1894. The Bank Centenary volume records that he was born in Glasgow. There is no evidence on the 'Scotlands People' website to confirm this. 

'Scotlands People' website no longer records a W R Paul in either their births or 1901 census database. 

The 1911 Irish Census records William Paul (16), Scholar, living in house 15 Church Street, Coleraine with his parents Joseph (Draper) and Grace, a servant Annie O'Neill and boarder Sarah Jane MacClements. His age (16) suggests a birth year of 1895 differing from the bank record.

On 24th June 1912, Paul joined Northern Bank at Head Office. The bank Staff Record card has 'Coleraine' below his name.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Randalstown (1912 - Junior) and Londonderry (1914 - Junior).

Northern Bank, Randalstown branch

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Paul signed the Ulster Covenant at the Town Hall, Coleraine. Joseph Paul also signed the covenant and Grace Ann Paul signed the Women's Declaration.

The bank centenary volume records Paul's war service as follows:

• At the age of 20, Paul volunteered and enlisted into the 6th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) as a Private. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant and Acting Quarter Master Sergeant 
• Service was seen in Festubert 1915, Somme 1916 and Peronne 1918.
• Paul was injured 3 times; gunshot wound to the leg, gunshot wound to the shoulder and neck and gassed.
• He was demobilised in February 1919 and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
• Demobilised in February 1919. 

There are quite a few military records on the Ancestry website that could relate to Paul. However without further information eg his army service number, this will prove difficult to verify.

Following demobilisation, Paul re-joined the Northern Bank at Head Office.

Paul's father, Joseph Paul (57), draper, died on 20th January 1919 at Church Street, Coleraine. He had been suffering for one month from influenza and fourteen days from meningitis. He is buried in Coleraine Cemetery.

Transfers followed to Connswater (1919 - Cashier), Strabane (1919 - Cashier), Carrickfergus (1920 - Cashier), Newry (1922 - Accountant ), Head Office (1922).

The bank records that in August 1922, Paul married a Miss Forsythe of Carrickfergus and that she died in December 1922 (no record found).

Northern Bank, Strabane branch

Further transfers followed to Newry (1923 - Accountant), Head Office (1924), Omagh (1925 - Cashier), Donegall Square (1927 - Cashier), Head Office (1928) and Ballymena (1928 - Pro Manager).

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Northern Bank, Omagh branch

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

The bank records Paul marrying a second time in possibly 1928 although her name is unclear (no record found).

Ancestry website records Paul's mother, Grace Ann Paul (88) dying on 5th January 1942 (GRONI - confirmed). William R Paul died on 8th January 1945 (GRONI - not confirmed). Paul's sister, Annie Peacock (65) died on 9th June 1948 (GRONI - confirmed). They are buried in Coleraine Cemetery. (Ref: Find a Grave).

In March 2024, a family member has been in touch to advise that they currently work for Northern Bank.