Wilson, Henry Pringle Malcomson

2nd Lieutenant Henry Pringle Malcomson Wilson

was born at Strandtown, Belfast on 20th August 1888 to George Wilson, Bank Clerk and Sophia Wilson nee McKee.  

In 1901, Henry (12) is living in house 18, The Diamond, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry with his parents. George's occupation is Branch Bank Manager. This property was the 'Bank House'. A servant, Mary Eliza Clarke is also present.

Northern Bank, Coleraine branch & Bank House

George Wilson, banker, died on 26th September 1903 aged 53 at the Nursing Home, Lower Crescent, Belfast.

On 11th April 1905, Henry joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Whitehead (1911 - Cash) and Royal Avenue (1912 - Cash, Ledgers and then Pro-Manager).  

Northern Bank, Whitehead branch

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

In 1911, Henry is living in house 39, Rugby Road, Cromac Ward, Belfast with his mother, sister Ethel Magee (b.1875) and a servant, Blanche McCullagh. The first name, Pringle is used here. He is described as a Bank Official.

Wilson played golf in the first Northern Bank golf outing on 21st March 1913 at Dunmurry:

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie

On 12th February 1916, whilst based in Royal Avenue, Henry volunteered and enlisted into the Honourable Artillery Coy (Infantry) as a Private aged 27 with Service Number was 7017. 

He was promoted to Sergeant in 1917 before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Henry saw service at Serre 1917, Bullecourt 1917, Malplaquet 1918 and the Allied Advance 1918. His address in the Army records was Northern Bank House, Ballymoney.

Demobilisation came in March 1919. He was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. 

H P Wilson - Medal Index Card

H P Wilson - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation, Henry re-joined the Northern Bank on 1st April 1919 at Royal Avenue. Transfers followed to Ballymoney (1923 - Manager), Magherafelt (1933 - Manager), Ballynahinch (1938 - Manager) and Shaftesbury Square (1944 - Manager). 

Northern Bank, Ballymoney branch (small building in centre)]

Whilst in Magherafelt, Henry was in the local Royal British Legion. In 1937 he unveiled a stained glass War Memorial window in the First Magherafelt Presbyterian Church.

On 30th August 1944, Margherita Heaton Wilson (Eta) was married. Eta was the 2nd daughter of Mr & Mrs H P Wilson of Northern Bank House, Ballynahinch.

Northern Bank, Ballynahinch branch & house

The Campbell College Register of Lennon Wylie records Wilson, Henry Pringle Malcolmson, b. 20th August, 1888, son of Geo. Wilson, 58 South Parade, Belfast. L.V, Dec., 1904. Bank Official. Great War: H.A.C., 2nd Lieut., 1918. Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt; Manager, Northern Bank, Ballynahinch, (1938-44); Manager, Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, 1944-50. Retired, 1950. Address: 30 Kensington Park, Bangor, Co. Down. (M.q.)  Acknowledgements to lennonwylie.

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch

Henry retired on 31st May 1950 and passed away on 2nd August 1977. 

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (August 1981)’ contains a photograph of Henry Wilson in a 1913 Northern Bank Staff Golf outing.

H P Wilson - back row, 3rd from left

H P Wilson - back row, 3rd from left]