McNutt, John Andrew

Corporal John Andrew McNutt

was born in Burnfoot, Co. Donegal on 20th June 1884 to John McNutt, Grocer and Margaret McNutt nee Whann. His Bank staff record card says his date of birth was 21st June 1884.

In 1901, John (15) is living in house 14, Carnshanagh, Fahan, Co. Donegal with his parents and 4 siblings; William J A (18), Robert W (17), Jane B (20) and Isabella M R (14). There are 2 visitors, William Hanson and James Paton; and 1 servant, Bridget Deeny also present in the house.

 

On 13th May 1902 John joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed with Dromore (1902 - Junior), Mohill (1903 - Junior), Head Office (1905 - Junior), Southern (1906 - Junior), Ramelton (1911 - Junior), Head Office (1914 - Relief), Fintona (1914 - Cashier) and Donegall Square (1915 - Accountant).

Cheque drawn on Northern Bank, Dromore branch

Northern Bank, Mohill branch

Northern Bank, Ramelton branch

Northern Bank, Fintona branch (period 70s to 90s)

[Courtesy of Allan McCullough & family archive]

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

The 1911 Irish Census records a 24 year old Carnshanagh, Co. Donegal man, John Andrew McNutt boarding with the Lauder family in house 26, Parnell Place, Rathmines & Rathgar West, Dublin. He is recorded as a Bank Official. A colleague, James Furness [sp] (22 – Bank Official) is also recorded as boarding in this house. Furniss was killed in action in 1917.

On 29th November 1915, John, aged 31, volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse as a Trooper with Service Number 1964. He was later to transfer into the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Service Number G/41398) and then into the Army Service Corps (Service Number S/445403). 

J A McNutt - Medal Index Card

A promotion to Corporal followed. Service was seen in Messines (First and Second Battles), Cambrai 1917, Kemmel Hill 1918 and St. Quentin 1918. At one stage, he was treated for Trench Fever. 

Demobilisation came in January 1919. He was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in the Great War.

J A McNutt - Medal Roll 

Following demobilisation, McNutt re-joined the Northern Bank on 10th February 1919 at Head Office. Transfers followed with Clones (1919 - Cashier), offered Shercock but refused (1920), Ballybay (1921 - Manager), Ramelton (1926 - Manager) and Fivemiletown (1937 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Clones branch

Northern Bank, Fivemiletown branch

The Campbell College Register of Lennon Wylie records McNutt, Donald Noel (A), b. 5th December, 1932, son of J. A. McNutt, The Northern Bank, Fivemiletown. U.VI, July, 1950. Scholar. (Entered, Sept., 1946). Q.U.B.: B. Agr., 1954. Address: Kenoldon, 9 Ashley Park, Bangor, Co. Down. (q.)

Acknowledgements to lennonwylie.

He retired from the bank on 1st October 1947.

John Andrew McNutt, Retired bank manager, died at 9 Ashley Park, Bangor on 14th August 1969 with his estate being valued at £49,054 gross.

McCready, William Austin

Lance Corporal William Austin McCready

was born in 1883 in Ellesmere district, Canterbury, New Zealand. 

On 17th July 1900, Austin (1901 Irish Census) joined Northern Bank at Head Office. His address is recorded on his bank Staff Record as Articlave, Co. Londonderry.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Ballinamore (1901 - Junior), Londonderry (1902 - Junior), Head Office (1902 - Junior), Lisburn (1903 - Junior), Downpatrick (1903 - Junior), Holywood (1911 - Cashier & Accountant), Oldcastle (1912 - Cashier & Accountant) and Head Office (1914). 

Northern Bank, Ballinamore branch

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch

Northern Bank, Downpatrick branch

Northern Bank, Holywood branch (gable wall with windows)

Northern Bank, Oldcastle branch (later branded as National Irish Bank)

In 1901, Austin is boarding with the McGauran family in house 15, Main Street, Ballinamore. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Official. Another bank official, John Hannan is also boarding here.

By 1911,Austin has moved to Holywood and is boarding with a Mrs Lucinda Elizabeth Pinkerton in house 13, Marine Parade, Holywood, Co. Down. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Official. Another boarder, Lt John Francis Mark, 1st Bn Royal Irish Rifles (Active List), is also in the property.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, a William McCready signed the Ulster Covenant at Articlave Orange Hall, Co. Londonderry giving his address as Sconce.

Whilst in Oldcastle branch, William (1911 Irish Census), on 5th December 1914, volunteered and enlisted into the 24th (Sportsman’s) Bn. Royal Fusiliers as a Private for the term of the war. His Service number was SPTS/2264.

His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 15th November 1915. He saw service with the British Expeditionary Force and was later promoted to Lance Corporal. His service was in the Somme 1916, Guillemont and Vimy Ridge before he became a Prisoner of War in Germany. 

Demobilisation came in February 1919. William was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in the Great War.

On 20th February 1919 he re-joined the Northern Bank at Londonderry as Teller. Transfers to Newry (1919 - Sub-Manager), Head Office (1922 - Interim Manager) and Ballynahinch (Manager) followed. 

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Northern Bank, Ballynahinch branch

William A McCready died on 15th May 1939. He is reported in a 'News Letter' death notice as being the late Manager of Northern Bank, Ballynahinch.

Walsh, John Edwards

Private John Edwards Walsh

was born in Ramelton, Co. Donegal on 25th November 1888 probably in the family home at Hollymount, Rathmullan, Co. Donegal. His parents were Thomas Leord Walsh (b.1853) and Mrs Jane Noble Walsh (nee Edwards, - b.1854 d.1939).  

John was christened in Ramelton.

On 13th March 1906 John joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Bailieborough (1906) and Head Office (1912).

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

By 1911, John was boarding with the Cahill family in house 68, Bailieborough Town, Bailieborough, Co. Cavan.  He is described as a Bank Official. [The record has been transcribed with the surname as Edmond Walsh - this error has been advised to the website owners].

Whilst based in Head Office, aged 25, John volunteered and enlisted into the 14th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles for the duration of the war. The 14th battalion was known as the YCV - Young Citizen Volunteers. His Service Number was 14/16078. He served as a sniper in the British Expeditionary Force in 1915 and saw action at the Somme 1916 (Thiepval), Messines 1917 and Ypres 1917.

He was injured twice by gunshot wounds. After his injuries, he refused several times to have his leg amputated.

Demobilisation came in June 1918.  As he had been injured, Walsh was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 423, 212). The following ledger image records the issue of this badge.

Silver War Badge Register (courtesy of Nigel Henderson)

He was also awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. The following two images are the official Medal Index Cards for John E Walsh.

Card 1 indicates that John qualified for the 1915 Star on 6th October 1915 and that he served in France.

Medal Index Card 1 (courtesy of Nigel Henderson)

Card 2 indicates that John enlisted on 12th September 1914 and was discharged (as wounded) on 26th June 1918.

Medal Index Card 2  (courtesy of Nigel Henderson)

Following his discharge, there was a period of just over 1 year before John re-joined the Northern Bank on 16th July 1919 at Head Office. He spent this period in the Ulster Volunteer Force Hospital at Botanic Avenue / Queen's University hospital recuperating from his injuries. A short YouTube presentation was recently published by History Hub Ulster featuring the UVF Hospital with a segment for Walsh included.

A Pension Record card exists for John.

J E Walsh - Pension Record Card

Transfers followed to Royal Avenue (1928) and Claudy – manager (1941).

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue, Belfast branch

Northern Bank, Claudy branch

John lived at 36 Brookvale Avenue, Antrim Road, Belfast and worshipped in Duncairn Presbyterian Church.  His name is detailed on their Roll of Honour. This tablet is framed in oak and contains the names of 192 men who enlisted and served in the forces. As the church has closed and is now an arts centre, the tablet is now entrusted to the Somme Museum, Conlig, Bangor. Two images at the bottom of this page are an article from the Northern Whig dated 2nd May 1921.

Duncairn Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour  (courtesy of Nigel Henderson)

At one stage he joined the Commercial Boat Club and with his team mates won the Connor Cup for rowing.

On 12th August 1929 he married Miss Vida Caroline Mayrs of 113 Albertbridge Road, Belfast at Bloomfield Presbyterian Church, Belfast. The 1911 Irish Census describes this property as house 113.1.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (August 1980)’ contains a photograph of Walsh in Royal Avenue branch in 1930.

Walsh died in 1973.

John Edwards Walsh has been added to the Northern Bank War Memorials community on the Imperial War Museum (IWM) Lives of the First World War website.

Walsh's daughter, Mrs Pat Taylor has kindly given me the following images of her father from her family collection. Scroll to the end to see an article written by Pat Taylor.

[Colourised by John McCormick]

[Colourised by John McCormick]

Possibly dressed in a hospital uniform
(this image was used by Northern Bank on their memorial)

Commercial Boat Club members with the Connor Cup

John Edwards Walsh (Sniper)

14th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles 36th Division

One Sunday we were all coming out of Church together when my father met up with two ageing soldiers from the First World War.  One of them was J.W Harrip. [Also a Northern Bank official]. They began to reminisce about old times and discovered that my mother and I didn’t know my father had been a hero and so they set about putting that to rights.

One night my Dad and several other soldiers had come under heavy rifle and shell fire while returning from a sortie in ‘No Man’s Land.’  When a count was taken it was discovered that his best friend was missing.  It was the decision of the officers that it would be foolhardy to attempt a rescue, ‘No hope in that Hell-fire,’ they declared. However against all advice my Daddy had made his way back and found his pal very severely wounded but conscious. Instant help was obviously needed, so he captured a German raiding party and forced the four soldiers to carry the wounded lad. back to the trenches.

The two old soldiers said he had steadfastly refused to have his name put forward for a medal, saying he had only done the usual day to day stuff. I almost burst with pride and thought my Dad was just amazing and was also particularly impressed by such modesty because he had never said a single word about it at home.

I had always known that he had been wounded at the Somme and still had two bullets in his back; he had let us feel them. Fired from sideways on, they were surprisingly big and long, one being just a tiny fraction from his spine. Later he was wounded again, it was either at Ypres or Messines where ever he was last. Pieces of shrapnel from an exploding shell went right through his leg at the ankle. He crawled into a captured German pill box and pulled himself on to some wooden boxes, but every time he lost consciousness his wounded limb slipped into the muddy flood water. Eventually he was thrown on to a cart with dead men, but later, coming round, managed to attract attention.

He spent a year in hospital and had to argue vehemently with the doctors on a number of occasions as they were ‘hell bent’ on amputating his leg. 

John is sitting front left in his ward on the
Londonderry Wing of the Ulster Volunteer Force Hospital
at Botanic Avenue / Queen's University, Belfast [Original photo]

John is sitting front left in his ward on the
Londonderry Wing of the Ulster Volunteer Force Hospital
at Botanic Avenue / Queen's University, Belfast [Photo made b&w]

He was eventually able to return to Belfast, re-join the Commercial Boat Club and win his third gold medal for rowing in a four.

ONLY THIS POEM - John E. Walsh 1888-1973

Main Street, Portrush 1950.

An unlikely place to discover

Dad was a First World War Hero.

He met with two old soldiers.

Surprised he’d not owned up, 

they painted us a picture.

Moonlit, on a sortie they’d come

under fire, fought their way back 

through the Somme’s hungry mud:

sodden, exhausted, their count showed

one short. Dad’s mate was missing. 

‘No hope in that hellfire,’ the officers decided.

Searching alone in ‘No Man s Land,’

Dad found him helpless, but aware.

Determined, he ambushed four Jerries,

forced them to carry his friend.

Despite all efforts he wouldn’t have

his name put forward for a medal. 

Even that day at the Port I felt the want.

I hanker for one still, to know it would be

handed down from old to young:

but there is only this poem.

Northern Whig dated 2nd May 1921 - part 1 - (courtesy of Nigel Henderson)

Northern Whig dated 2nd May 1921 - part 2 - (courtesy of Nigel Henderson)

White, Frederick William

2nd Lieutenant Frederick William White

was born at Belmont, Belfast on 19th June 1876 to William White, Clerk and Elizabeth White nee Bell. The birth registration document records his surname as WHYTE. 

In 1901, Frederick was living in house 37, Clifton Road, Bangor, Co. Down with his parents and 2 sisters; Emily (25) and Evelyn (21). There were 2 servants also in the property; Barbara McLaughlan and Elizabeth Murphy. William White's occupation is a Corn Merchant. He has also placed the post nominals 'JP' against his name. Frederick's occupation is recorded as a solicitor.

On 1st November 1907, Frederick joined Northern Bank at Head Office as a Solicitor. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

In 1911, Frederick, his parents and sister, Evelyn are now living in house 79, Clifton Street, Bangor. There are 2 servants in the property; Sarah Somerville and Eliza Sands. Frederick describes his occupation as a Solicitor. 

On 6th January 1917, he volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Garrison Artillery aged 41. His Staff Record Card records his unit as the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps (OTC). He was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Royal Garrison Artillery and went on to serve in the British Expeditionary Force. 

His first theatre of war is recorded as 2nd December 1917 and saw service at St. Quentin 1918 and Courtrai 1918.

F W White - Medal Index Card

Frederick White was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in the Great War. The addresses recorded on the Medal Index Card are Northern Banking Company Limited, Belfast and Bryansburn, Bangor, Co. Down.

Following his demobilisation, Frederick re-joined the Northern Bank on 3rd March 1919 at Head Office and was appointed as a Director on 1st November 1929.

The Northern Whig of 18th October 1929 carried a report from Northern Banking Company that included Mr White's appointment as a Director.

Frederick married a Miss Hogg of Bangor on an unknown date.

£5 banknote dated 1st April 1940 bears his signature.

Picture courtesy of an eBay seller.

 
F W White retired on 1st February 1945 and died on 10th January 1964. His Will Probate records 'White, Frederick William of 25 Groomsport Road Bangor county Down retired director Northern Bank Limited died 10 January 1964 at Ards Hospital Newtownards county Down Probate Belfast 6 March to Michael William Langtry White group captain in R.A.F. Effects £22135.'.