Wallace, Alexander Wilson

Alexander Wilson Wallace

was born at Bridge Street, Banbridge on 12th July 1887 to Thomas Wallace, Grocer and Jane Wallace nee Wilson. They had married on 24th June 1885 at Warrenpoint Presbyterian Church.

A W Wallace - Birth Registration

In 1901 Alex (13) was living in house 2, Bridge Street, Banbridge with his parents and 5 siblings, Isabel (13), Percy (10), Thomas (11) Sydney (8) and Norman (1). 2 servants, Annie Murphy and Mary Berry and 3 boarders, Wm McCann, John Smith and David Watt were also present in the property (shop). 

On 21st July 1905 Alex joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Ball’s Branch, Dublin (1905), Head Office (1908) and Donegall Square, Belfast (1908).

Draft drawn on Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

In 1911 Alex was living in house 3, Bridge Street, Banbridge with his parents and 5 siblings, Anne Mabel, Thomas, Percy, Sydney and Norman.  A domestic servant and 4 shop assistants were also living in the house but described as visitors; Nelly Keenan, William Smyth, Wm Bowell, John McAldin and Samuel Smyth. Alex's occupation is described as a Bank Clerk.

On 30th July 1912 the Belfast Telegraph carried an advertisement from an A W Wallace, Banbridge who was selling a motorbike - 3.5hp, TT Triumph, fortnight old, done 800 miles, guaranteed 55 mph, owner getting a twin.

Belfast Telegraph - 30th July 1912

It appears that the motor bike didn't sell.  On  12th September 1912 the Belfast Telegraph carried another advertisement from A W Wallace, Banbridge who was selling a motorbike - a 1912 3.5hp, TT Triumph, new July, 1000 miles, Lucas horn etc, owner getting twin.

Belfast Telegraph - 12th September 1912

Further transfers followed to Newry (1912) and Head Office – Accountant’s Department (1914).

Northern Bank, Newry branch

The 1924 Northern Bank Centenary Volume records Alex as volunteering for enlistment but was rejected on the grounds of him having defective hearing.

Alex died aged 51 from bronchial pneumonia at the Musgrave Clinic. His address was recorded as 52 Bridge Street, Banbridge on 9th May 1939. 

A W Wallace - Death Registration

Bamford, George William Rea

G W Rea Bamford - 1940s

Major G W Rea Bamford - 1960

Lieutenant G W Rea Bamford - 1944

Belfast Bank - Roll of Honour - WW2

Major George William Rea Bamford TD

was born in Belfast on 6th February 1920 to George William Bamford, Linen Salesman and Margaret Bamford nee McGowan (of Whitespots, Newtownards) of 75 The Mount, Belfast.

Rea's father, George Bamford outside 75 The Mount, Belfast

Rea was educated at Mountpottinger National School, Albertbridge Road, Belfast and later at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Inst).

Rea's School Jotter

Rea joined the Belfast Banking Company Limited in 1938. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and also supplied a letter to the bank on 30th May 1946.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

It is probable that Rea worked in the East End branch from the start of his career up to his enlistment in the army.

Belfast Bank, East End branch (Albertbridge Road, Belfast)

On 10th October 1939 Rea volunteered and enlisted at Clonaver Park, Belfast into the '3 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Company, Royal Army Service Corps (RASC)' [Territorial Army] as a Driver with Service Number T103793. On his attestation form, Rea gave his date of birth as 6th February 1919 indicating he was 20 years old, not 19 as he really was. [The family are not sure why he did this as he was over the age permitted to enlist]. On that day, Rea was 5' 5.5" tall and weighed 116 lbs.

Army Attestation Form (page 1) - G W R Bamford - 10/10/1939

As a soldier, Rea served at 'home' from 10th October 1939 to 24th November 1939 before being posted 'overseas' to France until 19th June 1940. His time overseas lasted until 19th June 1940 when he was returned 'home'.

Rea was promoted to Lance Corporal on 9th August 1941 and back to Driver on 27th December 1942 when he was transferred to 202 Officer Cadet Training Unit, RASC to train as an officer.

1941 WW2 Xmas Christmas Card (Courtesy eBay)

On 19th March 1943 Rea was 'discharged' as a soldier having been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with Service Number 268452.

The Army 'Record of Service - Officers' form records Rea's 'Actual DOB' as 6th February 1920 against a 'Declared DOB' of 6th February 1919. His civilian occupation is recorded as an Accountant, Belfast Banking Company.

As an officer, his training record during war included a Waterproofing Course of Vehicles at Salop (Shropshire), 1943; weapon training course at Altcar (Merseyside), 1943 and a 3" Mortar Course at East Africa, 1944.

Rea was transferred to the Royal Ulster Rifles from the RASC on 14th June 1944 following his promotion to Lieutenant. He embarked overseas to East Africa and was posted to the 2nd Battalion North Rhodesia Regiment.

Rea's overseas service is recorded on another army document as:

• France - 6th December 1939 to 18th June 1940
• East Africa - 16th July 1944
• S.E.A.C. - 8th June 1945 (possibly the South East African Command)
• East Africa - 17th January 1946

Rea records his army service in pencil in his 'Officers Record of Service Army Book 439' in this picture:

'Officers Record of Service Army Book 439'

Rea was discharged from the Royal Ulster Rifles on 12th April 1946 to his home address, 17 Cyprus Gardens, Belfast.

Belfast News Letter - 20th December 1946

Following the war, Rea was awarded the Defence Medal, the War Medal, the 1939-45 Star and the Burma Star.

Medal Ribbon

Rea with his father, George Bamford

After demobilisation in 1946, he returned to work for the Belfast Banking Company but also continued his army career in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), Territorial Army (TA).

Based on his wartime and TA service, Rea was later awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD) and Bar.

Rea worked in the following branches; East End (1946), Bangor (1947), Warrenpoint (1950), Markets (1952), North End (1953), Castle Place (1955) and Upper Newtownards Road (1960). Whilst based in this last branch, Rea also worked as a Pro-Manager in the small sub-branch at Dundonald.

Belfast Bank, Bangor branch

Belfast Bank, Warrenpoint branch

Belfast Bank, Markets branch

Belfast Bank, Western branch (Shankill Road)

Belfast Bank, Castle Place branch (2nd from left)

Belfast Bank, Ballyhackamore branch (Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast)

Rea married Edith Malcomson on 7th September 1953 at Bloomfield Presbyterian Church, Belfast.  They had 3 children, Paul (1954), Gavin (1956) & Linda (1961).

Rea died on 28th December 1961 and was buried in Roselawn Cemetery. He  is remembered on a Roll of Honour in Bloomfield Presbyterian Church.

Photograph courtesy of Nigel Henderson

Service in the Territorial Army

Having been discharged from the army after the war, Rea wanted to continue as an officer in the Territorial Army.  He applied for an 'Appointment to a Commission in the Territorial Army' on 15th March 1947.

Army form 

'Appointment to a Commission in the Territorial Army' (page 1) 

- G W R Bamford dated 15th March 1947

The Interview Board recommended Rea for a TA commission at the rank of Lieutenant and to be posted to 931 (Ulster) Company RASC (TA).

The Army 'Record of Service - Officers' form records Rea's TA career as follows:

• 1st September 1947 - Lieutenant
• 1st April 1948 - Captain
• 1st November 1952 - Acting Major
• 6th February 1954 - Major

Rea attended his final Annual Camp  from 20th May to 5th June 1961. He died on 28th December 1961.

Other photographs from the collection of G W R Bamford are recorded here.

 Major G W Rea Bamford
[Front row, 4th from left, with possibly 931 (U) Company RASC (V)]