Northern Bank - War Memorials / Roll of Honour

A site to hold the biographies of those Northern Bank / Belfast Bank officials who died or served during the Great War, World War 2 and the Northern Ireland conflict. Through this website, the families and descendants of around 300 bank officials of the Belfast Banking Company Limited, Northern Banking Company Limited and Northern Bank Ltd will know that "We Will Remember Them". It is not connected with Northern Bank. Any views or comments expressed are those of the writer.

Monday, 8 August 2022

Spence, Arthur Leonard

Squadron Leader Arthur Leonard Spence DFC (known as Artie)

was born in Donegal at 19:05 hrs on 25th February 1908, a twin to his elder brother by 6 minutes, Herbert Campbell Spence. Arthur was the son of Andrew Spence, Secretary of a Railway Company [Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway] and Lily Spence nee Wheeler.

A wider family member has advised that he was known as Artie.

In 1911 Artie (3) was living in house 7, Figary, Fahan, Co. Donegal with his parents and 7 siblings; Dorothy Gertrude (11), Stuart Andrew (10), Kathleen Lilian (8), Muriel Constance (6), Edith Helena (4), Herbert Campbell (3) and John Walter (1). A governess, Marguerite Bumesnil (or servant aged 14) and a servant Mary Rodden were also staying in the house.

On 1st September 1925 Artie joined Northern Bank at Head Office. His address at that time was recorded by the bank as 4 Queen Street, Londonderry.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Londonderry (1925 - Junior), Head Office (1931 - Exchange), Carrickfergus (1933 - Junior) and Head Office (1937 - Relief Staff).

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

On 2nd May 1939 Artie volunteered and enlisted into the RAF Volunteer Reserve. He was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 2nd September 1939 with Service Number 81694.

He returned to work from 5th October 1939 to 26th October 1939, reason unknown.

His rank and promotions were Leading Aircraftman, Pilot Officer, Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant (1941) and Squadron Leader followed in 1943.

Artie was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1941 gazetted on 23rd September 1941.

London Gazette, 23rd September 1941 - Acting F/L A L Spence

The news of his award was syndicated amongst local newspapers:

Belfast Telegraph, 20th September 1940

Belfast News Letter, 20th September 1940

Londonderry Sentinel, 23rd September 1940

Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 27th September 1940

On 14th March 1942 the Belfast Newsletter reported that the marriage of A L Spence to Alice Madeleine Irwin will take place in April at St Peters Church, Belfast. The wedding took place on 29th April 1942 and was reported in the Belfast Telegraph of the same date.

Belfast Telegraph 29th April 1942

Val Kerr, a family member posted this cartoon on the Facebook page:

On 19th November 1945 Artie resumed duty with the Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Royal Avenue (1948 - Teller), Knock (1951 - Cashier), Head Office (1951 - Interim Manager), Lurgan (1958 - Manager), Head Office (1954 - Manager), Queen’s Square (1967 - Manager) and Dublin Regional Director (1971).

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Northern Bank, Lurgan branch

A 'Welcome Home' dinner was held on 29th April 1947 by members of the CIYMS at Clarence Place Hall, Belfast.

Belfast Telegraph - 29th April 1947

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Spring 1971)’ contains a Profile and photograph (above) of Artie Spence.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link’ (Spring 1973) records Artie Spence as retiring as Dublin Regional Director on 28th February 1973.

Squadron Leader Arthur Spence DFC RAF(VR) died on 18th January 1981.

Johnston, John Laird

Pilot Officer John Laird Johnston

was born at Wine Street, Sligo on 6th March 1916 to Henry Martin Johnston, Bank Official and Maud Alexandra Sarah Johnston nee Laird. They had married on 24th May 1915 at the Methodist Centenary Church, Leeson Park, Ranelagh, Dublin. His father later became manager of the Belfast Bank, Glenarm branch.

Belfast Bank, Toberwine Street, Glenarm

John was educated at Campbell College, Belfast. The Lennon Wylie website records John as attending Campbell College:

2134. *Johnston, John Laird (C), b. 6th March, 1916, son of Henry M. Johnston, Belfast Bank House, Glenarm. V, July, 1932. Bank Official. 1940-45: F/O., R.A.F. Musician, B.B.C., Belfast. Address: 4 Galwally Avenue, Belfast. (M.q.)

He joined the Belfast Banking Company on 18th January 1937. His Bankers Guarantee bond was signed by his father. John served in Newtownards, Downpatrick and Warrenpoint.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Newtownards branch

Belfast Bank, Downpatrick branch

Belfast Bank, Warrenpoint branch

In 1940 he volunteered for the RAF whilst in Warrenpoint.

The London Gazette (1944) records a John Laird Johnston with Other Ranks Service Number 1308099 and Officer Service Number 183336 serving with the RAF Volunteer Reserve.

A notice in the Belfast Telegraph dated 25th October 1944 recorded John's marriage at St James Parish Church to Josephine Owen on 10th October 1944.

On 5th February 1945 the Belfast Telegraph reported that Pilot Officer J L Johnston was a member of the crew of a damaged RAF Liberator.

Belfast Telegraph, 5th February 1945 - P/O J L Johnston

On 8th February 1945 the Larne Times reported 'Ulster Pilot in Epic of Baltic':

Larne Times, 8th February 1945 - P/O J L Johnston

Following the end of WWII, John re-joined the Belfast Banking Company on 8th April 1946 and is recorded as being a member of Portaferry branch.

Belfast Bank, Portaferry branch

John's signature is recorded in this BBCo staff hand-book.

Belfast Bank Staff Handbook - J L Johnston

British Library Web Archive

The British Library Web Archive have advised me that they have accepted the Northern Bank - War Memorials / Roll of Honour website for permanent archiving in the UK Web Archive.

An archive of this website from 14th January 2013 is available. I am not aware of how often archives are taken.

The UK Web Archive was established in 2004 to capture and archive websites from the UK domain, responding to the challenge of a ‘digital black hole’ in the nation’s memory. It contains specially selected websites that represent different aspects of online life in the UK.

Medals Awarded During the Great War

The medals awarded during the Great War were:

1914 Star (Mons Star) was awarded for service in France or Flanders (Belgium) between 5th August and 22nd November 1914 (clasp).

1914-15 Star was awarded for service in France or Flanders (Belgium) between 23rd November 1914 and 31st December 1915, or for service in any theatre between 5th August 1914 and 31st December 1915.

Note: A person awarded any of the variants of the Stars automatically qualified for the award of the Allied Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Allied Victory Medal (Victory Medal) was awarded for service in any operational theatre between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918. It was issued to individuals who received the 1914 and 1914-15 Stars and to most individuals who were issued the British War Medal. The medal was also awarded for service in Russia (1919-1920) and post-war mine clearance in the North Sea (1918-1919).

British War Medal was awarded to both servicemen and civilians that either served in a theatre of war, or rendered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918. It was also awarded for service in Russia, and post-war mine clearance in the Baltic, the Black Sea, and the Caspian Sea between 1919 and 1920.

Note: The Victory Medal could not be awarded on its own, therefore a Victory Medal must always be issued with at least a British War Medal (but the reverse is not true - some Naval personnel received the British War Medal but not the Victory Medal).

Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) was awarded to non-commissioned officers for bravery.

Distinguished Service Order (DSO) was generally awarded to officers ranked Major and higher for distinguished war service.

Military Cross Medal (MC) was awarded to commissioned officers of Captain and below, as well Warrant Officers, for valour during active operations.

Numbers Awarded WW1, WW2 & Korea
	MC	1st Bar	2nd Bar	3rd Bar
1st World War	37,104	2,984	168	4
2nd World War	10,386	482	24	-
Korea	182	1	-	-

Military Medal was awarded to non-commissioned officers for bravery in a land battle.

Silver War Badge (SWB) was awarded to servicemen who became ill or were wounded while serving in a theatre of war or at home.

Territorial Force War Medal was awarded to servicemen who were members of the Territorial Force either on or before 30th September 1914 and who served in an operational theatre abroad between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

Note: A person who received any of the variants of the Stars could not be awarded the Territorial Force War Medal.

“Mentioned in Despatches” was an award for commendable service or bravery. Despatches were official reports that detailed military operations. These reports were published in the London Gazette. Servicemen who had performed noteworthy actions were often mentioned in these reports, therefore having been “Mentioned in Despatches.”

The Reuniting of the Crew of RAF Lancaster NN775 - Flying Officer H G S Kerr, Belfast Banking Company Official

CWGC War Cemetery, Heverlee, Belgium - 1 grave with 7 headstones

RAF Lancaster NN775 was piloted by Belfast Banking Company official, Flying Officer Gordon Kerr, a native of Lurgan.

Just over 75 years ago, NN775 was lost over Belgium on 5th March 1945.

History Hub Ulster Chair Gavin Bamford visited Belgium in November 2016 and watched the excavation of Lancaster NN775 on behalf of the Northern Bank War Memorials website

This short video tells the story of NN775 and its crew of seven.

Wreaths at the crash site during the excavation of NN775

Hunter, William Herbert

Captain William Herbert Hunter

Hunter was born at 5 Chichester Terrace, Belfast on 8th April 1915 to Herbert Charles Hunter, Secretary (Linen business) and Ellen Hunter nee Miskimmin. They had married on 8th May 1901 at St James' Church, Antrim Road, Belfast.

In 1911 Hunter was living with the Miskimmin family (Ellen's parents) with his parents in house 25 Antrim Road, Belfast. A sister, Ellen (8) was also present in the house.

Schooling for Hunter was at Belfast Royal Academy, Cliftonville Road, Belfast.

On 1st March 1933/38 (year is unclear), Hunter joined Northern Bank at Head Office and was based in the Post Room.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Whitehead (1939 - Junior) and back to Head Office (1940).

Northern Bank, Whitehead branch

On 15th December 1939, Hunter enlisted into the Royal Artillery and was ‘Called up’ on 13th January 1940 as a Gunner. Promotion followed to Lance Bombardier, Cadet, 2nd Lieutenant (1942) and Captain with Service Number 224892.

Although the war in Europe had ended on 8th May 1945 (Victory in Europe Day), Capt William Hunter was still serving there with the Royal Ulster Rifles. He had been home on leave at the end of August 1945 and had called into Whitehead branch to speak to his colleagues and friends.

Shortly after his return to Germany, he was Killed on Active Service on 11th October 1945 aged 30. The 'incident' was reported to the War Office Casualty Branch for the 24 hours ended 09.00 hrs on 16th October 1945 (Forces War Record website). On 5th November 1945 the record was corrected to 'as a result of an accident'.

Hunter's address at the time of his accident was 730 Antrim Road, Belfast.

The Belfast Telegraph reported that he was ‘Killed in a motoring accident in Germany on 11th October 1945'. Hunter is buried in the Munster Heath War Cemetery, Germany. Many of the burials are those who died serving with the Army of Occupation following the end of the war.

His CWGC headstone reads as follows: