Taylor, William Alexander - Accidental Death in Northern Bank, 14 Donegall Square West, Belfast

William Alexander Taylor

was the step-father of Herbert John Blythe, Northern Bank official who served during the Great War.

I was undertaking research on Herbert Blythe and discovered that his mother had married William Taylor following the premature death of Henry's father, George Blythe. By coincidence, William Taylor was a manager in Northern Bank, Banbridge and lived in the managers house above the branch at house 1, Bridge Street, Banbridge (Irish Census, 1901).

William Taylor was later transferred to the Northern Bank's main city centre branch at Donegall Square, Belfast.

Northern Bank, 14 Donegall Square West, Belfast
- Managers accommodation was at the top of the building

William Taylor was not present in the 1911 Irish Census. His family were living in house 54 Botanic Avenue, Cromac, Belfast. I wanted to find out where William Taylor was on census day, April 1911.

Subsequently I found the Death Registration for William Taylor that recorded that on 3rd September 1910, William Alexander Taylor, 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 of William Taylor

Further investigation using the excellent archives of British Newspaper Archive uncovered the story of the accidental death of William Taylor.

On Monday, 5th September 1910 this death notice was published in the Northern Whig:

"TAYLOR - September 3rd. at the Northern Bank, Donegal! Square, Belfast, William Alexander Taylor, son of the late Dr. William Taylor, of Articlave, Londonderry. Funeral strictly private. No flower's by request."

The Belfast News-Letter of the same date reported:

SAD FATALITY IN BELFAST. 

Bank Manager's Tragic Death. 

"We regret announce the death of Mr. William Alexander Taylor, manager of the Donegall Square West Branch of the Northern Bank which occurred under painfully sad and tragic circumstances on Saturday night.

Mr. Taylor, along with his family, resided on the premises, and it appears that about a quarter to ten he was in his sitting room, which is situated on the third floor, when one of his daughters went in to him and told him there was a fire somewhere at the rare of the bank. The deceased had only come into the house about quarter of an hour before, and had then gone to his apartments means of the lift. In the meantime the lift had been taken to the fourth floor, but Mr. Taylor was not aware of this, and as soon as his daughter raised the alarm of fire he started to make an investigation. Rushing to the landing, opened the door of lift and stepped out. and before he could realise his mistake he had been precipitated down the well on to the ground below. The members of his family who were present when left the sitting-room heard him make an exclamation, and hurrying downstairs they were shocked to find him lying unconscious the bottom of the well through which the lift moves.

Dr. B. Mitchell, of University Square, was promptly summoned, and arrived with the utmost haste. but all could do was pronounce life extinct. The deceased had fractured his skull result of the fall, and death had been almost instantaneous. has not been ascertained where the fire to which Miss Taylor referred occurred, but is presumed that there had been a slight outbreak - possibly caused by children - in the immediate neighbourhood the bank premises, and that this had caused her to become alarmed.

The deceased, who was 49 years of age was well known in the city, through his connection with the Northern Banking Company, in whose service had been for the lengthened period 33 years, and his untimely death under such peculiarly pathetic circumstances will very widely and sincerely regretted. He was held in high esteem the directors of the bank, and his courtesy and urbanity had earned for him the respect and confidence all with whom he came in contact both in commercial and social circles.

He was appointed manager of the Donegall Square West branch only about three years ago, after having for nine years acted in a similar capacity at the Banbridge branch, and previous to that had occupied the position of inspector. His promotion to the charge of the important branch Donegall Square West was the reward of many years efficient and faithful service, and the time it afforded intense satisfaction to his numerous friends.

Personally, Mr. Taylor was one of the most kindly and genial of men. A son of the late Dr. William Taylor, the deceased was native of Articlave, County Derry, but the greater part of his business career had been spent in other parts of Ulster. He was a member of the Church of Ireland, worshipping at the cathedral in Donegall Street. leaves a widow, one son and two daughters, and with them in the irreparable loss which they have them in the irreparable loss which they have sustained profound sympathy will felt.

The facts of the accident were yesterday communicated to the City Coroner (Dr. James Graham), who will hold inquest in the Old Recorder’s Court, Townhall Street, three o’clock this afternoon."

The story continued in other papers throughout the province. Following the inquest, the newspapers reported in great detail about the fore and the subsequent accident. The Northern Whig dated 6th September reported:

Northern Whig, 6th September 1910

The Belfast Weekly News dated 8th September 1910 reported the following:

Belfast Weekly News, 8th September 1910