Caskey, William Scott

Colonel William Scott Caskey MBE

was born on 22nd March 1925 to Capt. James Alexander Caskey MC and Sarah Margaret Caskey nee Buchanan. His address was recorded as Breezemount, Roddens, Larne.

 
On 29th March 1943 William joined Northern Bank at Head Office. In the same year, he was transferred to Antrim Road as junior.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

 
He resigned from the Bank on 31st March 1944 to enlist into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with Service Number I4446495. 

On 3rd August 1945 the London Gazette records William as being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant with Service Number 352265 in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 

Following the end of the war, he was promoted to Lieutenant on 22nd September 1947.

 
William did not re-join the bank. This was confirmed in a note dated 6th January 1948 when he advised the bank that he had a commission in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

In 1952, Captain Caskey was Adjutant to the Royal Engineers sub-unit of Queens' University OTC attending a camp at Ballyedmond.

(Acknowledgements to lennonwylie)

In 1953, William transferred to the Royal Army Pay Corps as a Captain and Paymaster with seniority from 5th October 1953. Promotion to Major came on 22nd March 1959.

In 1962, he was awarded the MBE (Military Division) in the Queen's Birthday Honours. On 31st December 1968, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

A further promotion to Colonel came on 30th December 1972 with seniority back dated to 30th June 1972.

On 30th October 1974, Colonel Caskey retired on account of disability. 

Caskey had several papers published on the computerisation of army payrolls.

Mercer, Maurice Dillon

Maurice Dillon Mercer

was born at Bridge Street, Dromore on 27th September 1897 to William James Mercer, Draper and Margaret Mercer nee Henry. They had married on 20th December 1878 at Dundalk Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Maurice (3) was living in house 5, Bridge Street, Dromore, Co. Down with his parents and 12 siblings; Lizzie (25), Sally (20), Mary (18), Lillie (18), May (16), Daisy (15), Herbert (11), Charlie (8), Anna (9), Albert (6), Lucy (5) and Harold (1). A salesperson, Wm J Barre was also present in the property.

By 1911, the property is described as house 8, Bridge Street, Dromore, Co. Down. Maurice is living with his parents and 5 siblings; Sara, Mary, Charlie, Lucy and Harold. A salesperson, Wm J Barre was also present in the property.

On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, Maurice signed the Ulster Covenant at Dromore.

Maurice would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1915 and is recorded as working in Londonderry and Rathfriland branches. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Belfast Bank, Rathfriland branch

Maurice volunteered and enlisted into the 26th Bankers’ Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers with Service Number G/52005. He is also recorded as serving in the 22nd Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) and also the 23rd Royal Fusiliers. 

M D Mercer - Medal Index Card

The 26th Bankers' Battalion, Royal Fusiliers feature in this short film clip as 'marching through London on way to the Front':

26th Bankers' Battalion Royal Fusiliers

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records him as being a 'prisoner of war'.

Maurice was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

M D Mercer - Medal Roll

According to the UK Pension Records, Mercer was suffering from Myalgia (see below). On 15th May 1919, Mercer was demobilised with his address being recorded as Belfast Banking Company, Dungannon. Between the periods 1922 to 1927 the Pension Records card was updated many times.

Belfast Bank, Dungannon branch

UK Pension Record Card - M D Mercer

Mercer was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in March 1948 paying 1 shillings subscription.

Maurice is reported in various newspapers as being in the Royal British Legion.

Retirement for Maurice came in 1960.

An Ancestry family tree states that Mercer died on 24th July 1982. This has been confirmed in the Northern Bank staff magazine 'The Link' of Autumn 1982.

A different Pension Record card is annotated with 'dead':

Hewitt, William Arthur

2nd Lieutenant William Arthur Hewitt

Hewitt was born at Princess Gardens, Bangor on 23rd January 1893 to James Henry Hewitt, Manager of the Workshops for the Industrious Blind and Jeannie Hewitt nee Marshall.

In 1901 Hewitt (8) is living in house 15, Rosetta Avenue, Ormeau, Belfast with his parents and 4 siblings; J Marshall (20), Edith M (18), Ernest (15) and Holt (13).A visitor, Charlotte Hewitt and a servant, Bridget McIntee are also present in the property.

Hewitt  was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institute (RBAI - INST), played rugby for the North of Ireland Rugby Football Club and was also a member of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

He joined the Belfast Banking Company and is recorded as working in their Markets branch. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and gave his address as Altamont, 97 Mornington Park, Bangor, Co. Down.  

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Markets branch, Victoria Street

By 1911 Hewitt is living in house 27, Downshire Road, Bangor, Co. Down with his parents and 3 siblings; Edith, Ernest and Holt. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. He had been working in Head Office.

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, Hewitt's father signed the Ulster Covenant at the Dufferin Memorial Hall, Bangor.

Hewitt volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. His first theatre of war is recorded as western Europe from 25th March 1916. His Medal Index Card records his father's address as Mornington Park, Bangor.

W A Hewitt - Medal Index Card

He was serving with 9th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant when he was killed in action on 1st July 1916 aged 23. He was their Assistant Adjutant.

Hewitt was one of three brothers who fell. They were Lieutenant Ernest Henry Hewitt (Mentioned in Dispatches), killed in action on 15th / 16th June 1915 aged 29, and Lieutenant Holt Montgomery Hewitt, killed in action on 1st July 1916 aged 29. William is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France and also on Bangor War Memorial.

A brass memorial tablet, commemorating all three brothers is also on show in St. Comgall's Church, Bangor. 

The Belfast News Letter of 7th July 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 10th July 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 12th July 1916 reports:

The regimental magazine 'The Sprig' dated 2nd September 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 15th August 1917 reports:



Administration of the estate was granted at Belfast to Francis H Hewitt, Manager.  Hewitt's effects were £352 9s 6d.

Thanks to Nigel Henderson of Great War Ulster Newspapers Archives for this image.

Bangor Rugby Football Club War Memorial displays a picture of Holt M Hewitt.

Bangor Rugby Football Club - War Memorial - H M Hewitt
(Courtesy of John McCormick)

Bangor Golf Club War Memorial records the name of Ernest M Hewitt.

Bangor Golf Club - War Memorial - H M Hewitt
(Courtesy of John McCormick)

Hewitt is also remembered on the RBAI (INST) 1914-18 War Memorial:

Photograph courtesy of LennonWylie

Morris, William Oliver Ernest

2nd Lieutenant William Oliver Ernest Morris (known as Ernest)

Morris was born at Gortmore, Omagh on 11th January 1895 to William Albert Morris, Sergeant in Army and Harriett Elizabeth Morris nee Montgomery. They had married on 16th May 1892 at Enniskillen Church of Ireland. His occupation was recorded as a Sergeant in the 1st Bn Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. her name was recorded as Annie Elizabeth Montgomery.

In 1901 Morris (6) was living in army barracks in St Mary's, Kent with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with his parents and 2 siblings; Albert Edward (8) and Mary Isabella (3).

In 1911 Morris was living in army barracks in China and Hong Kong with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with his parents and 3 siblings; Albert, Mary and Alexandria Eleanor (9).

Following his education at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI - INST), Morris joined the Belfast Banking Company in 1913 and is recorded as working in the North City, Dublin branch. Oliver Robert Morris (an uncle ?) signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, North City, Dublin branch

On 7th September 1914 Morris volunteered and enlisted in Dublin into the South Irish Horse. He was later commissioned on 9th February 1915 to the King’s Regiment and was serving with 16th Bn. attached to the 12th Bn. The King's (Liverpool Regiment) as a 2nd Lieutenant when he was killed in action on 17th June 1916.

The battalion were in the trenches in front of Potiize, east of Ypres. Following a quiet day, they were heavily shelled at dusk, with the front and support trenches being bombarded about midnight. Six men were killed, including Morris. 

The Belfast News Letter of 23rd June 1916 reports:

Morris is buried in the Potiize Chateau Wood Cemetery, leper West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

The family memorial in Breandrum Cemetery in Enniskillen. Capt W A Morris MC (father) 19th March 1917 and his son Lt E Morris 17th June 1916.

[Photo courtesy of Nigel Henderson, Great War Ulster Newspaper Archives]

Morris is also remembered on the RBAI (INST) 1914-18 War Memorial:

Photograph courtesy of LennonWylie

The regimental magazine 'The Sprig' records Morris' death as follows:

['The Sprig' - Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers regimental magazine]

A Pension Card in favour of Ernest's mother was created:

Shannon, B

Private Benjamin Shannon

was born on 12th April 1880 to John Shannon (Labourer of Upper Ballingate, Co. Wicklow) and Sarah Shannon nee Kinch.  

The Irish Census 1901 records a Benjamin (20) as boarding in house 21 Clanmorris, Ardfert, Co. Kerry. His occupation is recorded as 'Ordnance Survey'. Two other 'OS' staff are boarding in this property.

The Irish Census 1911 records a Benjamin (29) living in house 32 Golden Lane, Wood Quay, Dublin.  His occupation is recorded as a Shop Assistant.

On 10th March 1912 Benjamin (full age) married Emily Martha Wood. Both their addresses are recorded as 22 Adelaide Street, Kingstown. Benjamin's occupation is recorded as a Bank Porter. His father is recorded as Robert Shannon. [This does not agree with the birth record].

Prior to 1912 Benjamin Shannon became a Bank Porter for the Belfast Banking Company.

Benjamin enlisted directly into the Royal Flying Corps (on 16th April) 1917 as a Class F Reservist (with Service Number 76056) eventually being appointed as a Air Mech 2.

An enquiry left on the forum of the '1914-1918.Invisionzone.com' led to Forum member, 'Harry Brook' advising me of the following details:

• R.A.F. Muster Roll 1918
• Air Force No. 76056
• Name Shannon B.
• R.N.A.S. or R.F.C. Trade Classification - K.B.S.(B.P.)
• Remustered to R.A.F. Trade Classification - Labourer
• R.N.A.S. or R.F.C. Rank or Appointment - Air Mech 2
• New Rank in Air Force - Private 1
• Date of Joining - 16.4.17
• Date of Last Promotion - 1.1.18
• Normal Rate Air Force Pay - 1s 8d
• Terms of Enlistment - DW

Benjamin received the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. These were dispatched on 10th October 1921.

Following demobilisation, Benjamin returned to work for the Belfast Banking Company (BBCo).

On 25th June 1956 Emily Martha Shannon (83 - housewife) died at Royal Bank House, 102 Upper Georges Street, Dun Laoghaire (formerly Kingstown).

The Belfast Banking Company had branches all over Ireland. At partition, the BBCo made the decision to sell all its (now) southern branches to the Royal Bank of Ireland.

1918 photograph of the Belfast Banking Company, Kingstown

The site of this building is now occupied by Dunnes Stores (re Google Earth image. Across the road is the former Royal Bank of Ireland branch and bank house. Bernard Shannon and his family probably entered via the left hand doorway.

Google Earth screen print of the former Royal Bank of Ireland branch in Dun Laoghaire

On 18th November 1962 Benjamin Shannon (81 - widower) died at 38 Belgrave Square, Monkstown. His occupation is recorded as a bank porter. Emily E Shannon, daughter was present at his death.

Unpublished Danske Bank Staff Magazine (Insight eZine) Article - April 2013

The 2010s decade holds centenaries that are of huge importance to the people of Ireland both North and South. Amongst the commemorations are Titanic (2012), Ulster Covenant (2012), the Great War (2014 to 2018), the Easter Rising (2016) and the creation of Northern Ireland (2021).

The Great War is one event that affected the lives of many bank officials from all the banks in Ireland. In 1914, our bank was actually two banking institutions; the Belfast Banking Company Limited and the Northern Banking Company Limited. The Northern had branches all over Ireland whilst the Belfast had branches in the north of Ireland and Dublin.

War was declared in August 1914 and from then on, many young men of each bank together with some who were considerably older volunteered for active service. It must be recognised that all were volunteers apart from one Northern messenger who was already an army reservist. Altogether, nearly 200 men left their banking roles and went off to war. Before the war was over, 33 men were either killed in action, reported missing or had died on active service. Many were wounded in action, some being injured 2 or 3 times.

Following the armistice in 1918, the remaining men were repatriated back to Ireland and back into banking life. Some decided on careers away from banking.

Memorials to the men who died or were reported missing were made. With those memorials, Rolls of Honour were drafted recording the names of the men who served during the war. These memorials were paper based and incorporated photographs of each official.

At the onset of the Second World War in 1939 and for the period to 1945, nearly 100 officials from both banks again volunteered for active service. 13 of these men were either killed in action or were reported missing.

Following the end of the war, each bank drafted and created memorials / rolls of honour and cast them in bronze. They contained the names of the officials from each conflict in the style of surname and initials.

These memorials were installed in each Head Office; Waring Street (Belfast Banking Company) and Victoria Street (Northern Banking Company). In due course, following the closure of each building, they were installed in their current location, outside the ‘Vault’ staff restaurant in the basement of Donegall Square West, Belfast.

In 2010, I decided that the time was right to try and identify all those officials named on the memorials.  I wanted to take away the anonymity that just a surname with initials gives. Each name represents a former colleague and someone who also had family and descendants. Some of those descendants may also have worked in the bank.

In all, I researched and have now posted over 300 mini-biographies with associated articles, and whilst my initial idea had been to publish a book, it quickly became obvious that fresh details for each man can come to light very quickly and for the ease of updating, I decided on an external website. Each mini-biography may contain information from a variety of public sources e.g.

• National Archives of Ireland – 1901 & 1911 Irish Census, Soldiers’ Wills
• The National Archives – Medal Index Cards
• Public Records Office for Northern Ireland – Ulster Covenant
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• London Gazette
• Belfast Newspaper Library – cuttings from the Belfast News Letter (courtesy of Nigel Henderson)
• The Link – staff magazine of Northern Bank
• Ancestry.com
• General Records Office for NI (GRONI)

During my research, I wanted to bring the story up to date and include the mini-biographies of the 3 Northern Bank officials who were killed as a result of the Northern Ireland Conflict.

The website address is: http://northernbankwarmemorials.blogspot.co.uk/ or just Google ‘Northern Bank War Memorials’. It has been running since November 2012 and has followers throughout the world. It is most pleasing when a descendant of one of the men contacts me and gives more information or photographs. 

Please feel free to circulate this address to former colleagues.

Gavin Bamford

April 2013 - updated 2022

Chrysanthemum Day

Chrysanthemum Day - 29th September

Before the poppy was the symbol of Remembrance, the Chrysanthemum was the flower used to remember the men and women who were serving (and died) during the Great War. These advertisements are from the Northern Whig, September 1916.

[Thanks to Nigel Henderson]

Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign - 'Last Post' Commemoration event

Centenary of the Gallipoli Campaign
- 'Last Post' Commemoration event - 26th April 2015

In association with Last Post, Super Act, Heritage Lottery Fund, National Museums NI, Living Legacies, Davey Music and Michael MacBroom, History Hub Ulster commemorated the bank officials from the Northern Banking Company Limited who served during the Gallipoli Campaign.

Invitations to the event were published by Last Post, Living Legacies, History Hub Ulster via websites and social media.

Four officials were identified as having served in this campaign.  They were, in alphabetical order:

Warrant Officer Class 2 Thomas W Cooper - survived the war

Private Charles Kevin Fitzsimmons - survived the war

Lieutenant Thomas Richard Jenkins - survived the war

Private William Frederick Matthews - Killed in Action

 We acknowledge that there may have been other officials from the Northern Banking Company Limited or the Belfast Banking Company Limited who also served in Gallipoli.

National Museums Northern Ireland (Ulster Folk Museum) were kind enough to permit History Hub Ulster to use their Northern Banking Company Limited exhibit. This building is a replica of the Northern Bank branch in Portglenone.

The 2015 Last Post project is aimed at commemorating the Gallipoli Campaign in the form of musical events that must include the playing of the Last Post,  Patrick Davey and Bronagh Davey (Davey Music) were kind enough to play the uilleann pipes and the Irish flute.

A flyer was provided for visitors to the museum who viewed the event with remaining copies left in the bank office.

Our cameraman for the day was Michael MacBroom. He provided the following videos for us.

History Hub Ulster - YouTube channel (long version) & History Hub Ulster - YouTube channel (highlights)