Boyd, William Harris

Trooper William Harris Boyd

was born at Market Street, Limavady, Co. Derry on 1st April 1884 to Joseph Douglas Boyd, Draper and Martha Jane Boyd nee Rodgers. They had married on 27th May 1864 at Newtownlimavady Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 William (16) lived in house 32, Irish Green Street, Limavady with his parents and 4 siblings; Joseph Douglas (27), James Francis (24), Sara Francis (21) and Mary Douglas (19). His father is recorded as a magistrate and a woollen draper.

William joined Northern Bank on 20th May 1902. Transfers followed to Ballinamore (1902 - Junior), Cushendall (1904 - Junior), Head Office (1910 - Relief) and Mohill (1910 - Cashier).  

Northern Bank, Ballinamore branch

Northern Bank, Cushendall branch (1922 burning)

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Mohill branch

By 1911, William is boarding in house 58, Main Street, Mohill, Co. Leitrim with a colleague, Charles Kevin Fitzsimons. One is a Bank Clerk and the other, a Bank Cashier. 

On 27th January 1916 (11th February 1916 Army MIC), William volunteered and enlisted as a Trooper into the North Irish Horse with Service Number was 2112. He served as an Assistant Instructor at the North Irish Horse Signalling School, Antrim.  

Medal Index Card - W H Boyd

The Forces War Records database records William H Boyd as being discharged on 19th December 1917 due to injuries inflicted by a horse. He was awarded a Silver War Badge numbered B139382 - Reason for Discharge: Paragraph 392 King's Regulations (xvi) No longer physically fit for war service.

Silver War Badge - W H Boyd

William was entitled to a pension as a result of his injuries:

Pension Record Card - W H Boyd

William re-joined the Northern Bank on 2nd April 1918 at Head Office with a transfer later to Ballymoney (1918 - Cashier) and Armoy (1922  - Manager). He had previously refused Mohill or Fivemiletown branches on 'grounds of ill-health'.

Northern Bank, Ballymoney branch (to right of Belfast Banking Company)

Northern Bank, Armoy branch with entrance porch tiling

William Boyd married a Miss Frances E McAdoo of Ballinamore. She died on 19th September 1951 at 219 Orby Drive, Belfast. 

William died suddenly at Northern Bank House, Armoy on 9th January 1934 aged 49.

The Belfast News-Letter of 10th January 1934 carried this death notice:

Death Notice - W H Boyd

Hanna, Alexander (Lex)

Captain Alexander Hanna (known as Lex)

was born at 17 University Street, Belfast on 15th December 1920 to Alexander Hanna, Traveller and Matilda Wallace Hanna nee Trotter. They had married on 26th April 1918 at St. Mary Magdalene Church of Ireland, Belfast. Their addresses were recorded as 9 Upper Crescent, Belfast and 17 University Street, Belfast.

9, 8 & 7 Upper Crescent, Belfast

On 1st May 1939 Lex joined Northern Bank at Head Office. In 1940 he was transferred to Windsor branch as Junior.

Lex joined the Territorial Army (Royal Regiment of Artillery) in 1938 and was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 21st May 1941. His unit was the 66th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. His rank and promotions as Lance Bombardier (unpaid), Lance Bombardier and Bombardier. Further promotion came when he was gazetted from a cadet to be a 2nd Lieutenant on 4th June 1943 with Service Number 278219.

Lex was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the Italy Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal for service during WW2.

The picture above is of Lex's actual miniature (dress) medal group (my thanks go to his daughter, Pauline for making them available).

See Medals awarded during WWII.

On 16th April 1948 Lex was awarded a commission in the Territorial Army (TA). He was gazetted to be a Captain from 24th May 1948. Later he was placed on the TA Reserve of Officers on 21st May 1953.

On 7th October 1946 he resumed duty with the Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Ball’s Branch (1946), Head Office (1948), Ballymena (1948 - Assistant Accountant).

The Belfast News-Letter of 13th May 1949 reported Lex as passing his Institute of Bankers in Ireland final examinations. This was later syndicated to the Belfast Telegraph and the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph.

Lex was 2nd with an award of 5 guineas when he passed his Diploma in Foreign Exchange examinations as reported in the Belfast News-Letter of 28th April 1950.

Further transfers followed to Newtownbutler (1951 - Cashier), O’Connell Street (1955 - Pro-Manager in 1961), Head Office (1964), Keady (1966 - Manager) and Armagh (1969 - Manager).

Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Ball's branch, Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

Northern Bank, Keady branch

Lex was transferred in 1969 as Manager to the Scotch Street, Armagh branch. He and his family resided in the managers accommodation above the branch. Whilst there he had been involved with the Combat Cancer Fund (mentioned in various death notices). He retired as Manager on 30th September 1983.

Northern Bank, Scotch Street, Armagh branch

The staff magazine 'The Link' recorded his retirement 'do' at the Carngrove Hotel.

Retirement party for Lex Hanna - 1983

Lex Hanna died on 14th June 2002.

Stronge, James Desmond

Major James Desmond Stronge TD

was born at 4 Byron Road, Holywood on 25th September 1918 to Robert George Stronge, Engineer and Agnes Stronge nee Hamilton. They had married on 2nd April 1918 at Townsend Street Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

James was educated, in part, at the Masonic School, Dublin.

On 7th April 1937 James joined Northern Bank at Head Office. His address at that time was 72 Deramore Avenue, Belfast.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Lurgan (1937 - Junior), Head Office (1941 - Junior), Falls Road (1941 - Junior), Carrickfergus (1941 - Junior) and Head Office (1942).

Northern Bank, Lurgan branch

Northern Bank, Falls branch, Divis Street, Belfast

James was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 2nd March 1943. His rank and promotions are recorded as Gunner, Cadet, 2nd Lieutenant and Captain, Royal Irish Fusiliers with Service Number 327769. 

Capt J D Stronge married Miss A E Quinn of Boyaghan, Irvinestown in November 1945. The Belfast News-Letter dated 22nd November 1945 reported the wedding:

Belfast News-Letter dated 22nd November 1945

On 10th February 1947 James resumed duty with the Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Donegall Square (1947 – Relief Staff, 1st Assistant & then Control Clerk), Newtownstewart (1953 - Teller and then Manager) and Portadown (1966 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Donegall Square

Northern Bank, Newtownstewart branch

Northern Bank, Portadown branch (white 3 storey & attic building)

James carried on his army career in the Territorial Army (TA). In 1951 he was promoted to Major and in 1958 he is recorded as being the second-in-command of the 5th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers with the rank of Major.

He received the Territorial Decoration (TD) in 1961.

James is commemorated on the Masonic School Roll of Honour:

Masonic School Roll of Honour

The Belfast Telegraph dated 3rd December 1975 posted this obituary for J D Stronge (aged 57):

Belfast Telegraph - 3rd December 1975

Irvine, Walter Frederick - Great War & Second World War Service

Major Walter Frederick Irvine MBE

was born at Bloomfield on 2nd June 1898 to Robert Irvine, Wine Merchant and Marianne Irvine nee Phillips. They had married on 24th April 1895 at St. Thomas' Church of Ireland, Belfast.

In 1901, Walter lived in house 11, Kirkliston Drive, Pottinger Ward, Belfast with his parents and his elder brother, Robert Philip. A servant, Jane Eliza Chambers also lives in the house.

On 21st September 1914, Walter joined the Belfast Banking Company. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as 4 Dunedin Terrace, Antrim Road, Belfast. Later signatories were Mary Anne Irvine of 403 Antrim Road, Belfast and Nora Margaret Irvine of 34 North Circular Road, Lisburn. Walter is recorded as working in Central branch and Head Office.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank , Central branch, Donegall Square North

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

Walter volunteered and enlisted into the 10th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. His first theatre of war is recorded as France. Promotion to a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant before transferring to the Royal Irish Rifles on 1st March 1917. He relinquished his commission on completion of service on 20th September 1919, but retained the rank of Lieutenant. 

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Irvine as serving with the 5th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers and the 9th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. He is also recorded as being 'previously wounded' and also as a 'prisoner of war' whilst serving with the 12th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles.

Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet

The Belfast News Letter of 18th September 1917 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 22nd April 1918 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 25th April 1918 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 13th December 1918 reports:

Following his discharge from the army, as an officer, Walter Irvine had to apply for his British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.  

Medal Roll - Lt W F Irvine

Between 1919 and 1939, Irvine returned to work for Belfast Banking Company. 

As Walter Irvine was a Lisburn resident, it is possible that he attended this service at the Lisburn War Memorial (temporary wooden one) in the 1920s.

Over 110 members of the Lisburn British Legion branch attended the annual Remembrance Service in First Lisburn Church on Sunday, 13th November 1938. Assembling at their Headquarters in Sackville Street, the ex-Servicemen were under the command of Captain W F Irvine, chairman.

Walter saw service again in WWII as a Captain in the Royal Ulster Rifles before transferring to the Royal Irish Fusiliers on 30th April 1941. On 20th July 1942, he transferred to the Pioneer Corps. On 16th June 1945, Walter relinquished his commission on grounds of disability. He was then granted the honorary rank of Major.

Following his demobilisation after WW2, Walter returned to work eventually ending up working in Accountants Department.  

Retirement came on 1st December 1959. He was appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Walter Irvine died on 14th February 1984. He was the only official to have served in both wars.

Nelson, Gerald Eric Pat Hartfell

Ordinary Seaman Gerald Eric Hartfell Nelson (known as Pat)

was born at 112 Malone Avenue on 24th February 1919 to Eric Hartfell Nelson and Eva Nelson nee Bingham. He was registered with the first names of 'Gerald Hartfell'. 

In 1901 Eric Nelson (father) lived in house 10, Marlborough Park, Belfast with his aunt, Lydia Nelson (of private means) and his brother Charles Horace Nelson. A servant Kate Taylor also lived in the house.

Eric Nelson (father) appears to be mentioned in the Belfast Gazette of 30th September 1927 in an item regarding the "Estate of William Herbert Nelson and Eric Hartfell Nelson, Trustees of the Will of Horatio Nelson Deceased."

The Campbell College Register of Lennon Wylie records Nelson, Gerald Eric Pat (D), b. 24th February, 1919, son of E. H. Nelson, Old Comber Road, Dundonald, Belfast. V, July, 1936. Northern Bank Official. 1939-45 War: R.N. Address: Ardmore, Saintfield Road, Belfast. (M.)

Acknowledgements to lennonwylie.

On 1st April 1937 Pat joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers follow to Newtownstewart (1938 - Relief), Head Office (1938 - Secretary's Room - 1938), Coleraine (1942 - Junior) and Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Northern Bank, Newtownstewart branch

Northern Bank, Coleraine branch (now Halifax)

On 6th March 1941, Pat was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 16th February 1943 into the Royal Navy as a Rating. However, on 21st June 1943 he was discharged from the Royal Navy owing to ill-health.

'The Campbell College War Record 1939 - 1945' records Pat as serving in the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman.

On 11th September 1944 he resumed duty with the Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Connswater (1944 - Junior), Windsor (1946 - Accountant), Head Office (1951), Banbridge (1952 - Cashier), Claudy (1953 - Cashier), Head Office (1956), Portaferry (1956 - Cashier), Willowfield (1959 - Cashier), Crumlin Road (1963 - Pro-Manager) and Windsor (1967 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Banbridge branch - [1906 by William Ferguson]

Northern Bank, Claudy branch

Northern Bank, Willowfield branch

Northern Bank, Crumlin Road branch

Northern Bank, Windsor branch (in distance)

Pat Nelson retired on 31st March 1982 from Windsor branch.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Summer 1982)’ contains an article and photograph of Nelson.

G E P H Nelson was recorded on the 2002 Voters Roll at 82A, Cunninghams Lane, Dungannon, County Tyrone, BT71 6BX with Mary Nelson.

In 2016, retired Area Manager, David Keith wrote:

"Pat Nelson was the cashier in Claudy where I joined the bank in June 1854. He was married to Mary Elliott a lovely lady who was the daughter of the owner of the Imperial Hotel, Banbridge where I subsequently lived before my marriage. Pat was a real gentleman and we used to meet up from time to time.  One amusing anecdote I can recall. One day in Claudy I found the bank's revolver - a Webley .45 which was covered in rust. I persuaded the manager to let me have a go at cleaning it up and I soon had it in good condition. The local RUC insisted I demonstrate my ability with the weapon before giving me a handful of ammunition - the IRA was still active in those days. Anyway I had the loaded pistol in my desk ready for use. Pat suddenly realised that he was in the direct line of fire between me and the door into the office. After argument with the manager he took the gun off me and put it out of my reach. Pat retired to Dungannon with his wife but sadly died a couple of years ago. I great friend and colleague."

In 2016, Pat's daughter wrote:

"I am Pat's daughter, Gayda Shiells, and have only just uncovered this site. It was so delightful reading this material about my late father, some of which I had never known about."