Blythe, Herbert John

Lieutenant Herbert John Blythe

was born at Market Street, Downpatrick on 17th September 1887 to George Blythe, Hotel Keeper and Elise Corrine Blythe nee Fayre. George and Elise had married on 20th October 1886 in Dublin.

George Blythe died on 10th April 1893 at Market Street, Downpatrick aged 40.

On 5th September 1896 Elise Blythe alias De Villairs, widow married William Alexander Taylor, Bank Manager (Northern Bank).

In 1901 William and Elise were living in house 1, Bridge Street, Banbridge. This was the managers house of Northern Bank, Banbridge. Their children; Nora Elise Eveline Taylor (3) and Cyril William Taylor (2); Gladys Helen Blythe (step-daughter, 11), Rose Downey, servant and Helene Pauline Crawley, visitor were also in the house.

Northern Bank (and managers house), 1 Bridge Street, Banbridge

Herbert Blythe was boarding in house 3.2 Raphoe Demesne, Co. Donegal. This was the boarding department of Royal School, Raphoe.

Herbert joined Northern Bank on 24th May 1904 at Head Office. At that time his address was Northern Bank, Banbridge. His step-father William Taylor was manager there.

Transfers followed with Newry (1904 - Cashier), Ballymena (1907 - Cashier), Grafton Street (1908 - Pro-Manager), Head Office (1910 - Relief) and Carrickfergus (1912 - Cashier ).  

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin branch

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

On 3rd September 1910, William Alexander Taylor, (step-father of Herbert) aged 50, died at 14 Donegall Square West, Belfast from 'fracture of skull and laceration of brain' by 'accidentally fell down the shaft of a lift'.

Death Registration for William Alexander Taylor, Bank Manager
 at 14 Donegall Square West, Belfast

In 1911, Herbert is living in house 54 Botanic Avenue, Cromac, Belfast with his mother, Elise Corrine Taylor (widow) and his step-siblings; Norah Elise Taylor, Cyril William Taylor and Muriel Maud Taylor.  Russell Jones, boarder and Sarah Rooney, servant are also in the house. Herbert's occupation is recorded as a Bank Official.

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

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie

On 30th November 1915, Herbert (28) volunteered and enlisted as a Trooper into the North Irish Horse. He later transferred as a Private into the 1st Bn. Royal Irish Rifles with Service Number 40857. A later promotion to 2nd Lieutenant and then to Lieutenant. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from November 1916.

H J Blythe - Medal Index Card 

Herbert was later seconded into the Camel Corps. He  saw action at Gaza; Heriera and Bathsheba and Jericho (Jordan Valley).

He was demobilised in July 1919 and was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. 

H J Blythe - Medal Roll 

Following demobilisation, Herbert re-joined the Northern Bank in Head Office on 1st August 1919. Transfers followed to Lurgan (1919 - Cashier), Grafton Street (1922 - Pro-Manager) and Head Office (1930). Whilst in Head Office he was promoted to Manager, Foreign Department (1930), Assistant Chief Cashier (1940) and then Chief Cashier (1941).

Northern Bank, Lurgan branch

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