Kearney, Denis

Temporary Captain Denis Kearney

was born at The Terrace, Downpatrick on 15th February 1910 to Henry Ernest Kearney, Sub-Manager, Northern Bank and Eva Frances Kearney nee Carden. They were married on 10th January 1908 at St. James' Church, Belfast.

In 1911 Denis (1) lived in house 14, Church Street, Downpatrick with his parents and elder brother, Henry Arnold William (2).A servant, Elizabeth Kelly was also present in the house. Henry (Father) has his occupation recorded as an Assistant Bank Manager.

 
On 20th August 1928 Denis joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Transfers followed to Dromore (1928 - Junior), Falls (1930 - Junior), Boyle (1932 - Junior), Banbridge (1936 - Junior), Antrim Road (1937 - Junior), Magherafelt (1938 - Relief) and Head Office (1939).

Northern Bank, Dromore branch

Northern Bank, Falls branch

Northern Bank, Banbridge branch

Northern Bank, Magherafelt branch

 

Denis volunteered and enlisted on 2nd September 1939 into one of the Anti-Aircraft Regiments, Royal Artillery, 3rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade.

The Bank Staff record cards records Denis' final rank as T/Captain having progressed from Private, to Lance Sergeant and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant to Lieutenant

 

On 7th January 1946 Denis re-joined the Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed on Relief Staff (1946 to 1949), Newry (1949 - Accountant & Teller), Fintona (1951 - Teller), Head Office (1951), Portrush (1951 - Teller), Londonderry (1955 - Sub-Manager) and Grafton Street (1963 - Assistant Manager & Manager).

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Northern Bank, Fintona branch

Northern Bank, Portrush branch 

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Denis Kearney, aged 59 died in service (of the bank) on 26th April 1969 at Flat 2, Sloperton, Monkstown Dublin. He is buried in plot C4 759 in Dundonald Cemetery with his father (died 1930), mother (died 1967) and another woman, Frances Eva Warren (died 1997).

'Also their son Denis'

Henry E Kearney

On 27th January 2014 the writer noticed an 'Illuminated Address' book in the name of Henry E Kearney' for sale in Ballinderry Antiques, Lower Ballinderry Road, Upper Ballinderry, Lisburn, BT28 2EP. Best price would have been circa £260. The book had been produced on the transfer of Kearney from Downpatrick.

Northern Bank, Downpatrick branch

McKitrick, Roderick Alexander

Squadron Leader Roderick Alexander McKitrick DFC (later Colonel)

was the son of George Evelyn McKitrick (born at 4 Kinnaird Street, Belfast on 2nd August 1879) and educated at Campbell College, Lower VI in 1895.

 
In 1901,George (21, Bank Clerk & was later to be Roderick's father) lived in house 122.1 Duncairn Street, Belfast with his parents and 3 siblings; Mary (29), Ethel (18) and Mary (16).

By 1911 George is living in house 53, Antrim Road, Belfast with his parents and sister, Ann. George is described as a Bank Clerk and works for the Belfast Bank in Head Office.

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Belfast

Roderick A McKitrick was born on 14th March 1922 to George McKitrick and ? McKitrick nee Woods. His birth was registered in Larne. Roderick followed his father into the Belfast Banking Company after passing his bank entrance examination as reported in the Northern Whig of 29th April 1938:

It is interesting to note that Messrs Charlton, Connor and Stutt also volunteered and enlisted into the services during World War 2.

Roderick volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Artillery as a Gunner. In 1941 he transferred to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve with Service Number: 149126 and promotions are recorded as:

• 14th May 1943 - Pilot Officer (on probation)
• 14th November 1943 - Flying Officer (on probation)
• 14th May 1945 - Squadron Leader

Roderick flew with No. 44 and No. 138 Squadrons. With No. 138 Squadron he was involved in dropping of Secret Agents in SOE operations. During Operation Draughts & Backgammon with Short Stirling Mk IV NF-J, LK200 in the night of 8th/9th September 1944, the plane hit the cable of a barrage balloon at 02.50 hours over Texel, the Netherlands and crashed.

 
Of the crew Flying Officer Thomas Roger Court, Flying Officer John Hulme and Flying Officer George Evans Fletcher Walton died in the crash. They later were buried at the cemetery at Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands.

 
Squadron Leader G.M. Rothwell, Flying Officer McKitrick, Pilot Officer Shaw and Flight Sergeant R.W. Wilmott were taken prisoner. Roderick Alexander McKitrick was imprisoned at POW camp L1 (Staluft 4B/L1) at Barth together with Rothwell and Shaw.

R A McKitrick - Prisoner of War (POW) Record

Flying Officer McKitrick was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 23rd May 1944 (published without citation).

The website, harringtonmuseum.org.uk records McKitrick's plane crash over Holland. Similar detail as above.

The Western Morning News of 10th January 1945 reports that R A McKitrick is 'missing':

Following demobilisation, it is not clear if McKitrick returned to employment in the Belfast Banking Company.

 
However, the London Gazette continue the reporting of a R A McKitrick DFC as follows:

• 28th July 1953 commission relinquished, Flight Lieutenant on transfer to Army
• 25th September 1953 promotion from Lieutenant to Captain with Officer Number 429994 Royal Army Education Corps (seniority back to 1950).
• 25th December 1953 seniority as Lieutenant (back to 4th May 1945).
• 1st November 1957 promotion to Major (4th November 1957).
• 27th January 1967 promotion to Lieutenant Colonel (31st December 1966).
• 8th January 1974 promotion to Colonel (back to 30th June 1973) - from R.A.E.C.

Roderick McKitrick died aged 92 on 24th April 2014 at Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Bailey, Robert Nixon Armstrong

Major Robert Nixon Armstrong Bailey

was born at Ballymagowan, Clogher, Co. Tyrone on 7th June 1881 to William Henry Bailey, Clergyman and Eleanor O. Bailey nee Armstrong. They had married on 4th August 1875 at St. Mary's Parish Church, Drummully, Co. Monaghan.

Following his education at Dungannon Royal School, Robert would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1899 / 1900. His address at that time was The Manse, Clogher (Clogher Presbyterian Church).

In 1901, Robert was boarding with Jane Wilson, Setting Apartments in house 20, William Street, Fair Gate, Drogheda, Co. Louth.  His occupation is described as a Bank Clerk and he may have been working in Drogheda branch of the bank.

Belfast Bank, Drogheda branch

By 1911, Robert was boarding with Jennie Witherow and her niece, Lena Louden in house 25, Glenmanus, Ballylagan, Co. Londonderry.  His occupation is described as a Banker and may have been working in Londonderry branch.

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Robert is recorded on a later newspaper report as working in Ballymena and Portrush branches.

Belfast Bank, Ballymena branch

Belfast Bank, Portrush branch

Robert volunteered and enlisted in the Public Schools Battalion and also served with the 2nd Bn. Highland Light Infantry and attained the rank of Major in the Labour Corps. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 30th September 1915.

R N A Bailey - Medal Index Card

[Address: The Green, Dunmurry]

Robert is reported in the Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet as being 'previously wounded' with his last known address as 'in France'.

The Belfast News Letter of 26th April 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 27th March 1919 reports:

On 17th December 1918, Robert married Mary Gwladys John, Nurse at Haslemere Parish Church, Surrey.

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Robert returned to work eventually ending up as Manager of Whitehead branch. 

Belfast Bank, Whitehead branch

During the Ulster 'troubles' of the 1920s, Robert served as a Sergeant in the 'B' Specials, Royal Ulster Constabulary and later as the Commanding Officer of the South Belfast Battalion, Ulster Special Constabulary (USC).

The Belfast News-Letter of 11th January 1926 carries a report that mentions Lt Col R N A Bailey presiding at a farewell dinner to members of the 'C Specials, Royal Ulster Constabulary' at Thompson's Restaurant, Belfast. Later reports him a Major.

There are quite a few other newspaper reports featuring Major R N A Bailey or his wife, Belfast Bank, Whitehead during the war years.

The Larne Times of 27th June 1946 reports the resignation (probably retirement) of Major Bailey from the Belfast Bank, Whitehead. It also reports Mrs Bailey as being awarded the MBE in the previous New Year Honours list.

The Belfast Telegraph of 3rd July 1953 carries a photograph of Mrs Bailey, MBE walking behind Sir Norman Stronge and Her Majesty The Queen at Balmoral, Belfast.

Mrs Bailey MBE in her capacity as Area Chairman of the Royal British Legion features more that her husband in the local newspapers.

Robert, aged 76, died at Lagan Valley Hospital, Lisburn on 29th September 1957. Probate was granted to his widow, Mary.

The Northern Whig of 1st October 1957 carried an obituary of Major R N A Bailey: