Major Louis McKelvey White
White was born at Bridge Street, Cootehill, Co. Cavan on 2nd May 1911 to William John White, Solicitors Apprentice and Margaret Eleanor White nee Shimmons. They had married on 10th July 1894 at Newry Parish Church, Co. Down.
In 1911 (census day was 2nd April) William and Margaret lived at house 18 Bridge Street, Cootehill with their 2 sons Edwin (11) and Geoffrey (7).
Another brother, Tom and a sister Eve (or Eva) lived with their grandfather, William White at 6 College Square, Camlough.
White was born one month later on 2nd May 1911.
White was educated at the Masonic School, Richview, Dublin where he excelled at sport becoming captain of rugby and cricket. He was orphaned at the age of 17 whilst at school.
Michael White continues his story:
".... He was befriended by a man called Raymond Brooke, of the Brookeborough family, a Grand Master in the Masons and Managing Director of a wine importing company in Dublin. My father must have gone to stay with him in Sligo after leaving school when his mother died and prior to joining the Bank. ..... After arriving in Belfast to join the Bank, I believe he lived with his married sister Eva on the Upper Newtownards Road. .... Louis did mention to me at one time that had he pursued it, he could have had a career in the wine industry, but never mentioned Mr. Brooke. I have Brooke's name from an inscription in a book which he gave to my father, "as a memento of the game against B.R.A." Signed-- R.F. Brooke, and a little bit of "Googling" revealed the above information. ...."
On 17th July 1929, White was living in 'Gibraltar Cottage', Sligo when he joined Northern Bank at Head Office.
Whilst in Belfast, he played for the North of Ireland Rugby Football Club.
Transfers followed to Antrim Road (1932 - Junior) and Head Office (1935 - Stock Coupon).
Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street
White volunteered and enlisted into the 3rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade and was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 24th August 1939 into the 8th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.
He married Connie on 6th October 1939, just one month after war was declared. As was the custom (bank rules) at the time, it is probable that as a junior and not earning very much, Louis would have had to request permission from the bank Director's to get married. Presumably the start of the war helped his case.
His rank and promotions were Bombardier, Lance Sergeant, Sergeant, 2nd Lieutenant, Lieutenant and Captain. His Service Number (Officer) was 163000.
He served at Dunkirk and in India and Burma from 1942 to the end of the war.
8th Belfast HAA Regiment, Royal Artillery - probably around 1945.
Acknowledgements to lennonwylie
Michael White was born in 1943 and was educated at Coleraine Inst.
White resumed duty with the Northern Bank on 15th November 1945 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Donegall Square (1945 - Junior, Ledgers, Control Clerk, Teller), Portrush (1956 - Teller), Markets (1962 - Sub-Manager) and High Street (1967 - Joint Manager).
Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch
Northern Bank, Portrush branch
Northern Bank, Markets branch
A newspaper advertisement in the Belfast Telegraph dated 7th December 1970 advises readers that the Northern Bank, Belfast Bank branch, Castle Place, Belfast has closed and the business merged with the branch at 10 High Street, Belfast. The joint managers are Mr L McK White and Mr J F McIlmoyle.
Merger of 17 Castle Place with 10 High Street, Belfast
White continued his Army career in the Territorial Army rising to the rank of Major. Retirement from the Army came on 9th December 1961 having exceeded the age limit.
He retired on ill-heath grounds in 1971.
In 1972, he and Connie joined their son, Michael and his wife in Auckland, New Zealand.
White is remembered on his school roll of honour:
Masonic Boys School, Dublin - Roll of Honour
The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Winter 1972)’ contains this article:
The Link. Winter 1972
Connie White died on 10th August 1980 and Louis on 27th January 1982. They are both buried in Auckland, New Zealand.
Acknowledgements to Louis White's son, Michael for additional information.
Also see this blog by Michael White who writes about living in Portrush when his dad was a cashier in the Northern Bank there:
I was so pleased to come across this article about my father. However, may I correct a small error, in that Louis White was born in Coothill, Co. Cavan at17 Bridge Street.
ReplyDeleteHe served at Dunkirk and in India and Burma from April 1942 to the end of the war.
Louis died in Auckland, New Zealand.
I am most grateful that you have taken the trouble to complete this research.
Regards,
Michael White,
Auckland
Mike, thank you for your kind comments and also the further information on your father. I was able to use it to identify his family from the 1911 Irish Census. Gavin.
DeleteHi Gavin,
ReplyDeleteI am just so pleased to have come across your work. I was very fond of my father and proud of his war service and his career. For what it's worth I can give you a few more relevant details.
Louis had another brotherTom and a sister Eva who were both living with grandfather William White at 6 College Square, Camlough.I am unaware of a sister Hannah, but who knows!
Louis' father died in1917, his mother was penniless and Louis was sent to the Masonic School at Richview in Dublin where subsequently he became Captain of Rugby and Cricket. He played as a wing three quarter for Monkstown whilst still at school and upon moving to Belfast played for the North of Ireland RFC.
He was married to Connie on October 6 1939.
I think I am correct in saying that he was made Manager of the Crumlin branch of the Bank intbe midsixties but he retired on grounds of ill health in 1970, when he and my mother decided to join my wife and I in New Zealand. My mother died August 10 ,1980 and Louis followed her on 27January1982.
Thank you so much for your interest. I remember my father talking about Louis Bamford. Any relation of yours?
Hi Gavin
ReplyDeleteRe your comment "The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Winter 1972)’ contains a photograph of White." Can you email a copy of any article and the photo please to mmckw1@gmail.com
Many thanks, Michael White
Many thanks Gavin for your comments on Facebook re Louis's website. Jeff
ReplyDelete