Bagshaw, Robert

Trooper Robert Bagshaw

was born in Manchester on 28th December 1884 to Nathaniel Bagshaw, Merchants Clerk and Alice Rebecca Bagshaw nee Salmon.

Birth Registration - R Bagshaw

The Belfast News-Letter dated 18th February 1899 reported the death of Robert's father, Nathaniel on 17th February 1899 at his residence, Chichester Hotel, aged 43.

Robert joined Northern Bank on 17th May 1900 in Head Office.  

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

On 25th March 1901, Robert's mother Alice Bagshaw, widow, married Andrew Alexander Magowan, Book-keeper.

In 1901, Robert (16) was living in house 122, 'Craythorpe', Upper Newtownards Road, Knock, Belfast with his step-father, Andrew Magowan, his mother and sister Amy (17). His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

A transfer to Royal Avenue (1902 - Junior) was followed by Head Office (1908 - Junior), Shaftesbury Square (1911 - Junior) and Head Office (1915).  

Northern Bank, 109-113 Royal Avenue branch

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch

By 1911, he was living in house 113, Eglantine Avenue, Belfast. The Census record describes his occupation as a ‘Solicitors Typist’ and his sister, Amy (27) is described as a Bank Clerk. (Probable transcribing error).

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Robert signed the Ulster Covenant at the Old Town Hall, Belfast. 

Whilst in Head Office, aged 30, he enlisted on 8th December 1915 as a Trooper into the North Irish Horse with Service Number 71657. He was later to transfer to the Corps of Hussars.

Medal Index Card - Robert Bagshaw

This website reports:

"On 25 November 1915 Bagshaw enlisted in the North Irish Horse (No.1989 – later Corps of Hussars No.71657).  He embarked for France in 1916 or early 1917, where he was posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment.

Bagshaw remained with the regiment throughout the war. On 3 March 1919 he was demobilised and transferred to Class Z, Army Reserve."

He saw action at Arras 1917, Ypres 1917 and Cambrai 1917. Bagshaw was demobilised in February 1919 and was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. 

Medal Roll - Robert Bagshaw

Following demobilisation, Bagshaw re-joined the Northern Bank on 24th February 1919 and was posted to Falls branch as Cashier. Further transfers followed with Head Office (1919). 

Northern Bank, Falls branch, Divis Street, Belfast

In 1922 Robert was transferred onto Relief Staff and in March 1923 he was appointed as an Interim Manager.

1929 saw his final transfer to the Accountants Room where he stayed until his retirement.

On 27th April 1933 Robert married a former bank official, Miss Mary Graham at Cloughwater Presbyterian Church.  

Mary was to die suddenly on 31st October 1939 at her residence, 101 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast. She was interred in the New Cemetery, Ballymena. The Ballymena Observer dated 10th November reported on her death:

Ballymena Observer - Mrs Mary Bagshaw nee Graham

Robert Bagshaw retired on 31st January 1941 and died on 25th November 1959 aged 74.