Mercer, Maurice Dillon

Maurice Dillon Mercer

was born at Bridge Street, Dromore on 27th September 1897 to William James Mercer, Draper and Margaret Mercer nee Henry. They had married on 20th December 1878 at Dundalk Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Maurice (3) was living in house 5, Bridge Street, Dromore, Co. Down with his parents and 12 siblings; Lizzie (25), Sally (20), Mary (18), Lillie (18), May (16), Daisy (15), Herbert (11), Charlie (8), Anna (9), Albert (6), Lucy (5) and Harold (1). A salesperson, Wm J Barre was also present in the property.

By 1911, the property is described as house 8, Bridge Street, Dromore, Co. Down. Maurice is living with his parents and 5 siblings; Sara, Mary, Charlie, Lucy and Harold. A salesperson, Wm J Barre was also present in the property.

On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, Maurice signed the Ulster Covenant at Dromore.

Maurice would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1915 and is recorded as working in Londonderry and Rathfriland branches. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Belfast Bank, Rathfriland branch

Maurice volunteered and enlisted into the 26th Bankers’ Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers with Service Number G/52005. He is also recorded as serving in the 22nd Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) and also the 23rd Royal Fusiliers. 

M D Mercer - Medal Index Card

The 26th Bankers' Battalion, Royal Fusiliers feature in this short film clip as 'marching through London on way to the Front':

26th Bankers' Battalion Royal Fusiliers

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records him as being a 'prisoner of war'.

Maurice was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

M D Mercer - Medal Roll

According to the UK Pension Records, Mercer was suffering from Myalgia (see below). On 15th May 1919, Mercer was demobilised with his address being recorded as Belfast Banking Company, Dungannon. Between the periods 1922 to 1927 the Pension Records card was updated many times.

Belfast Bank, Dungannon branch

UK Pension Record Card - M D Mercer

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

Maurice is reported in various newspapers as being in the Royal British Legion.

Retirement for Maurice came in 1960.

An Ancestry family tree states that Mercer died on 24th July 1982. This has been confirmed in the Northern Bank staff magazine 'The Link' of Autumn 1982.

A different Pension Record card is annotated with 'dead':