Taylor, Robert Graham

Corporal Robert Graham Taylor

Taylor was born on 5th August 1893 to Henry Taylor, Farmer and Sarah Taylor nee Graham. The birth was registered in the Kilrea sub-district of Coleraine district. They had married on 23rd December 1890 at First Presbyterian Church, Kilrea.

In 1901 Taylor (7) was living in house 15, Drumane, Hervey Hill, Co. Londonderry with his parents and 4 siblings; Hugh (9), Jane (5), John (3) and Mary (1).

In 1911 Taylor (17) was living in house 21, Drumane, Hervey Hill, Co. Londonderry with his grandmother, Dorcas and his brother Hugh (19). 

The rest of Taylor's family are living in house 13, Drumane, Hervey Hill, Co. Londonderry. The parents and children now added by Dora (10), Margaret (8) and Samuel (5).

Taylor joined the Belfast Banking Company on 24th April 1911 working in North City, Dublin and Ballymena. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as Reastown, Kilrea and Rose Park, Rasharkin. A later signatory would be his elder brother, Hugh.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, North City, Dublin branch

Belfast Bank, Ballymena branch

Taylor volunteered and enlisted into the South Irish Horse with Service Number 1190 and later attained the rank of Acting Corporal. 

His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 14th April 1915.

Taylor later transferred to the Military Mounted Police with Service Number P/4818.

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Taylor as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address 'in France'.

Belfast Bank Roll of Honour booklet

[apologies for my poor photography]

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

On demobilisation, Robert G Taylor returned to work for the Belfast Bank eventually rising to be the Managing Director.

The Irish Independent of 18th March 1920 reports on R G Taylor, Belfast Bank seconding a motion at a conference of the Irish Bank Officials Association (IBOA).

Taylor is reported in newspapers as working in Central branch (1923) before moving to Head Office (1926).

Belfast Bank, Central branch, Donegall Square North

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

The Belfast News-Letter of 18th May 1937 reports that Taylor held the position of Chairman of the Belfast Bank Golfing Society.

In 1938 Taylor was appointed as manager to Central branch.

In 1944 Taylor was recommended to be appointed as a Director of the Belfast Bank (Belfast News-Letter of 15th January 1944).

The Belfast Telegraph of 29th April 1947 reported on the re-organisation of the Belfast Bank with Taylor being appointed one of 3 managing directors.

Taylor retired on 30th November 1962 as Managing Director and continued on as a member of the board until 1966.

Robert G Taylor died on 25th May 1970. The Belfast Telegraph of 27th May 1970 carried an obituary:

Robert Taylor of 779 Antrim Road, Belfast left £2,503 to his widow, Eileen.