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Tuesday 5 April 2022

Shearer, Frank


Lance Corporal Frank Shearer
Shearer was born at 49 Bryson Street, Belfast on 1st September 1884 to Adam Shearer, Labourer and Sarah Shearer nee Ramsey. They had married on 30th January 1865 at Ballysillan Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Shearer (17) is living in house 35 Ballycarry Street, Clifton Ward, Belfast with his parents and 5 siblings: John (31), Jane (29), Adam (27), Isabella (23) and Sarah (19). Francis is now known as Frank and his occupation is recorded as an Assistant Clothpasser.

In 1911 Shearer is living in house 30 Ballyclare Street, Clifton Ward, Belfast with his parents, sister Jane Millar and her 2 children John and Isabella. Frank's occupation is now a Hotel Servant / Boot.

Shearer may have joined the Belfast Banking Company between 1911 and 1914. 

On 7th September 1914 Shearer  enlisted into the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers with Service Number 12473. His first theatre of war is recorded as the Balkans from 12th July 1915.


Shearer later transferred to the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment with Service Number 4215 and attained the rank of Lance Corporal.

On 16th March 1917 after 1 week with the Field Force was hospitalised on board Hospital Ship Warilda.  His ailment being described as 'delusional, insanity'. He was under treatment for 7 days before being transferred to a 'sick convoy' on 22nd March 1917.


Shearer was discharged from the army on 22nd February 1918 for reason 'No Longer ...".

L/Cpl 4215 Francis Shearer was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 319352) due to sickness.  He was aged 32. The War Badge records say he had served overseas.


F Shearer - Silver War Badge record

He was also awarded the 1915 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.


F Shearer - Medal Roll

Shearer married Jessie Smith on 29th March 1918 at St Anne's Parish Church, Belfast. His occupation is recorded as Cloth Passer.
A Pension Record card exists for Francis Shearer with entries from 1922 to 1930. His address was recorded as 8 Ghent Street, Belfast.  His illness recorded as 'mental instability'.

F Shearer - Pension Record Card

The Belfast Bank Roll of Honour booklet records Frank Shearer as re-joining the bank in Markets branch.


Belfast Bank, Markets branch 

Francis Shearer died on 26th October 1929 with his death being registered in Belfast.

Walker, Samuel Edgar Stewart


Lieutenant Samuel Edgar Stewart Walker

was born at Ballyrock on 29th April 1891 to James Walker, Farmer and Annie Mary Walker nee Stewart. They were married on 2nd October 1888 at Ballywatt Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Samuel (9) is living in house 1, Ballyrock Scotch, Beardiville, Co. Antrim with his grandparents David & Martha Walker, his parents and 5 siblings; Ida (2), Karolina (0), Marion (11), Francis (4) and Robert (7).

Samuel would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1909 and is recorded as working in Derry and Warrenpoint branches. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee. Robert Walker (brother) later signed the document.


Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch


Belfast Bank, Warrenpoint branch

In 1911, Walker is boarding with the Coyle family in house 1.2 Castlewood Avenue, Rathmines & Rathgar East, Co. Dublin. His occupation is recorded  as a Bank Clerk. There are a further 2 possible colleagues boarding; Samuel H Eakin (22) and Archibald A Ennes (20), both described as Bank Clerks. 
By 1911 Samuel's parents are living in house 5, Ballyrock Scotch, Beardiville, Co. Antrim with their 5 children; Robert, Francis, Ida, Karolina and John. A servant, William Moody is also present in the property.
Samuel volunteered and enlisted as a Private into the Royal Highlanders with Service Number 2178. His first theatre of war is recorded as the Western Front from 2nd May 1915.

S E S Walker - Medal Index Card
Sergeant S E S Walker (Irish Independent of 3rd February 1917) was commissioned on 1st January 1917 from the Royal Highlanders into the 11th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant and was later transferred to the 12th Bn. & 3rd Bn. 
The Northern Whig of 19th February 1917 reports on his commission and mentions him being wounded.


The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Samuel as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address 'Palestine'.
The Ballymoney Free Press and Northern Counties Advertiser of 1st March 1917 reports the same incident and mentions that Samuel's brother, Francis (F W Walker) is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery and is serving in France. He would later be promoted to Captain and awarded the Military Cross (MC).

Samuel was later promoted to Temporary Lieutenant from 1st July 1918.

Samuel was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

S E S Walker - Medal Roll

The Medal Index Card records his address as the Royal Bank of Ireland, Rathdown, Queens County, Ireland. In 1923 the Belfast Bank sold all its southern branches (and staff) to the Royal Bank of Ireland.

Belfast Bank later Royal Bank of Ireland, Rathmines, Dublin branch

As a result of his war injuries, a Pension Record Card was created for Samuel recording his unit as 3rd Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.