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.