Richardson, James Alexander

2nd Lieutenant James Alexander Richardson

Richardson was born on 17th October 1911 the son of William Richardson, Publican and Mary Richardson nee Lafferty. They had married on 10th September 1907 at St Matthew's Church of Ireland, Belfast.

Richardson joined the Belfast Banking Company on 1st July 1930. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address and occupation as Tobermore and Auctioneer. He worked in Portrush branch (Belfast News-Letter of 16th August 1930). A further transfer to Head Office occurred in 1931 and then on to Strabane in 1932.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Portrush branch

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

Belfast Bank, Strabane branch

The Londonderry Sentinel of 10th September 1935 records him as Secretary of Strabane Rugby Club.

It is probable that Richardson volunteered and enlisted into the Territorial Army around 1937. The Belfast Telegraph of 25th September 1937 reports on a J A Richardson being an usher at a Castlederg wedding between Williams and Sinclair.

In 1939 Richardson  was a member of Strabane Tennis Club.

The London Gazette (1941) records a 2nd Lieutenant J A Richardson with Service Number 90355 serving with the Royal Artillery TA. He served as a Desert Rat in Egypt.

 
Following his return from Active Service, Richardson was transferred to Ballymena (1947) and later back to Strabane.

Belfast Bank, Ballymena branch

During the 1950's he was Treasurer of the Ballymena Services Club.

W R Richardson (son) has provided some of the information above.

An anonymous comment was left saying "James Richardson's brother Walter also served as a Desert Rat during WWII as part of the Coleraine Battery, serving likewise in Egypt and elsewhere. He took-over the family public house which their father had founded in 1911, and is still run by James' brothers family to this day."

Nesbitt, Edgar David

Lieutenant Edgar David Nesbitt

Nesbitt was born in the Dublin Registration area on 6th May 1905 to Jonathan H M Nesbitt (Dentist Assistant) and Dora Nesbitt nee Jamison. They had married on 23rd December 1897 at Dundalk.

Jonathan died at 2 Clare Street, Dublin on 28th October 1906. 

In 1911 Nesbitt (5) was staying with the Jamieson family in house 196, Tullyvallan, Newtownhamilton,  Co. Armagh. The family were his uncles and aunts; Charles Ingram Jamieson (41), Edgar H Lloyd Jamieson (34), Hessie Anderson Jamieson (33) and Mabel Anna Jamieson (30).

In 1911, Nesbitt's mother, Tysie Theodora Nesbitt  was living in house 7 University Avenue, Belfast with her children; Doris Janey (12), Cyril Wm R (7) and Jack Hamilton (4). Her brother, Sidney Jamison (26) and a servant, Lizzie Marron were also in the house.

Nesbitt was educated at Shaftesbury House.

The Belfast News-Letter of 3rd May 1922 reported in an advertisement that Nesbitt had passed his bank entrance examination. Soon after, he joined the Belfast Banking Company. Tysie Theodora Nesbitt originally signed his Bankers Guarantee. Later it was signed by Reverend Sidney Jamieson and Louise Laurie Nesbitt (Edgars wife). He is recorded as working in Head office.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

Transfers followed with Portadown in 1924 and Portrush in 1925.

Belfast Bank, Portadown branch

Belfast Bank, Portrush branch

On 29th September 1938 Nesbitt volunteered and enlisted into the Ulster Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Supplementary Reserve (1939 UK Navy List).

In 1942 Nesbitt married Louise L Verling-Brown at Kensington, London. Their engagement had been announced in the Surrey Advertiser of 18th April 1942.

The Tatler of 19th August 1942 reported on their wedding:

The 1945 UK Navy List records E D Nesbitt as a Temporary Lieutenant from 26th November 1939.

Nesbitt was demobilised and returned to the bank from Active Service on 21st January 1946.

The Northern Whig of 8th April 1948 reported the birth of a daughter on 29th March 1948 to Lawrie Nesbitt of Rockfield, Helen's Bay, Co. Down.

Mrs E D Nesbitt was the Honorary Treasurer of Bennett House, the Royal British Legion convalescent home in Helen's Bay (1966).

 
Known as Paddy, he may also have worked in Stationery Department.

Louise Lawrie Nesbitt died in 1999 (Ancestry).

Shortt, James Alexander

Lieutenant James Alexander Dickson Shortt (RNVR)

Shortt was born at 222 Grosvenor Road, Belfast on 4th December 1917 to James Shortt, Mechanic and Agnes Mary Shortt nee Diamond. They had married on 13th December 1911 at University Road Methodist Church, Belfast.

An older sister, Sarah Jane Hamilton Shortt was born on 1st October 1916.

Education was at Methodist College, Belfast. The Belfast News-Letter of 14th May 1931 records Shortt at a MCB sports day.

On 1st April 1937 Shortt joined Northern Bank at Head Office. His address is recorded as 266 Stranmillis Road, Belfast. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Windsor (1937 - Junior), Portadown (1939 - Relief), Windsor (1939 - Junior) and Head Office (1940).

Northern Bank, Portadown branch

Shortt applied to the bank and was given permission to volunteer and enlist for Active Service on 15th February 1939. He joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve.

He was 'Called Up' on 30th December 1939 and is recorded on the bank staff record card as serving on an armed cruiser. In 1941 he was gazetted as a Temporary Paymaster Sub-Lieutenant (RNVR).

Shortt married Aileen Betha Leuria in Lifford, Co. Donegal in late 1943.

The 1946 Navy List records James as a Temporary Lieutenant.

Shortt resigned from the bank in 1946 and later took up a position as Secretary to the Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital Management Committee 

The Northern Whig of 11th August 1955 carries this report mentioning James:

James Shortt died on 30th September 2001 in Lincoln where he was cremated. He and his wife had 4 children; Michael, Mark, Marianne and Bill.

A family member (presumably) has commented:

"Although James Shortt died in Lincoln, his ashes are scattered in Strabane. His wife Bertha Aileen died 27 April 2015 and her body donated to medical science at Queens University."

Mulholland, Oswald Stanley Hanson

Lt. Commander Oswald Stanley Hanson Mulholland (known as Pat)

Mulholland was born at Balnamore, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim on 26th June 1912 to Hugh Mulholland, Clerk and Margaret Anne Mulholland nee Peacock. They had married on 12th August 1898 at Drumreagh Presbyterian Church, Ballymoney.

In 1911 Hugh (25 - Railway Clerk) was still living with his family in house 2, Ballinamore Town, Seacon, Co. Antrim.

The Northern Whig of 1st August 1931 reports that Mulholland passed his bank examinations.

The Larne Times of 26th September 1931 reports that Mulholland has 'entered Head Office' of the Belfast Banking Company.

Belfast Bank, Head Office, 2 Waring Street, Belfast

His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him and gave his address as  Railway View, Ballinamore, Ballymoney. Mulholland is recorded as working in Central branch (Donegall Square North, Belfast). 

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Central branch

Mulholland enlisted and served with the Ulster Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR). This was reported in the Portsmouth Evening News of 22nd December 1937. He entered as a Probationary Paymaster Lieutenant. He was promoted to Paymaster Lieutenant on 17th January 1939 with seniority back to 17th December 1937.

On 18th August 1940, Mulholland departed Liverpool on the Avoceta (Yeoward Line) for Lisbon, Portugal giving his occupation as 'Consular Shipping Agent'.

Mulholland served again in the RN between 1941 and 1945. The 1946 Navy List records him as a Lieutenant Commander.

He married Diana "Didi" Winifred Tait. She was the daughter of Geoffrey Murat Tait and Winifred Mair nee Bartlet of Oporto, Portugal.

O S H Mulholland - Newspaper Cuttings via Ancestry

Mulholland died on the 15th December 1948 (Ancestry) in St Francisco Hospital, Oporto, Portugal during / after an operation. 

O S H Mulholland - Probate

Mulholland and Didi had one daughter, unknown name, born 4th May 1949 (Ancestry) in Oporto, Portugal. Didi remarried Harold Lindo on 25th July 1950.

[Much of the personal information came from an anonymous comment made on 9th July 2014, some verified via Ancestry].

Morrison, James Leslie

James Leslie Morrison

Morrison was born at 141 Ravenhill Road, Belfast on 12th September 1921to James E N Morrison (Custom & Excise Officer) and Florence Mary Morrison nee Steel. They had married on 12th June 1919 at St James' Church, Belfast. His address is recorded as 5 Ireton Street, Belfast and hers as 141 Cavehill Road, Belfast.

Morrison would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1938/39. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and gave his address and occupation as 21 Lansdowne Road, Belfast and civil servant.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

The Forces Ward Record website records a Driver J L Morrison (Service Number T/95408) as serving in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC). He was reported as 'Missing' on 24th December 1941 in the Western Desert only to be reported as 'Previously reported Missing now not Missing' on 21st January 1942.

No further information can be found.

Lloyd B C

B C Lloyd joined the Belfast Banking Company.

Update at 28th September 2021:

British Newspaper Archive - nothing relevant using many combinations of words

Forces War Records - 127 x 'B C Lloyd'

PRONI Will Calendars - nothing

Unfortunately without further details this man cannot be researched.

Please contact me gavinbamford@btinternet.com should you have any information on this official.

Kirk, E D or Ed

E D Kirk joined the Belfast Banking Company.

His name could possibly be Ed Kirk.

Update at 28th September 2021:

British Newspaper Archive - nothing relevant using many combinations of words

Forces War Records - 170 x 'E D Kirk' & 111 x 'Ed Kirk'

PRONI Will Calendars - nothing

Unfortunately without further details this man cannot be researched.

Please contact me gavinbamford@btinternet.com should you have any information on this official.

Henderson, Thomas Evans Carlisle

Captain Thomas Evans Carlisle Henderson

Henderson was born at High Street, Lurgan on 28th October 1913 to William Charles Henderson, Bank Official and Kathleen Evelyn Gertrude Henderson nee Evans. They had married on 26th December 1912 at St Anne's Church, Killann, Co. Donegal. William's occupation was recorded as Bank Official, Lurgan, Co. Armagh. The Londonderry Sentinel of 7th January 1913 reports on their marriage and states Thomas as working for Belfast Bank, Lurgan.

Belfast Bank, Lurgan branch (Belfast Bank House)

The Belfast News-Letter of 2nd July 1926 records Henderson as being awarded a scholarship to Belfast Royal Academy from Skegoniel Public Elementary School. 

Having passed his bank entrance examination in 1931, Henderson joined the Belfast Banking Company and is recorded as working in Limavady and Rathfriland branches. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and gave his address and occupation as 24 Kansas Avenue, Belfast – Bank Official. William C Henderson later joined in the guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Rathfriland branch

Henderson is recorded in the Belfast Telegraph of 1st April 1939 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Anti Aircraft Regiment (Londonderry, Ballymena and Coleraine), Territorial Army.

The Londonderry Sentinel of 27th May 1939 carried this picture that includes Henderson:

The Forces War Records website records T E C Henderson serving with the Royal Artillery in 1939 as a 2nd Lieutenant and in 1942 as a Lieutenant.

It is not known if Henderson first returned to the bank following his demobilisation. PRONI Wills records him as residing and working in Locust House, Sharjah, Persian Gulf as the Officer in Charge, Desert Locust Survey.

The London Gazette Supplement of 29th April 1949 records him receiving the honorary rank of Captain.

The Northern Whig of 4th July 1950 records Captain T E C Henderson:

Henderson died on 30th December 1953. He is buried in the Old Christian Cemetery, Manama,

AL-ʿĀṣimah, Bahrain.

PRONI Wills records:

Henderson, Thomas Evans Carlisle of Locust House, Sharjah, Persian Gulf. Officer in Charge, Desert Locust Survey. Died 30th December 1953. Probate Belfast 26th November 1956 to William Terence McQuiston, bank official. Effects £1123 3s. 5d.

T E C Henderson - London Probate

The Belfast News-Letter of 28th December 1954 carried an 'In Memoriam' notice in respect of Thomas and his brother, Flying Officer W C Henderson RAFVR.

Coates, J

J Coates joined the Belfast Banking Company.

Update at 26th September 2021:

British Newspaper Archive - nothing relevant using many combinations of words

Forces War Records - 470 x 'J Coates'

PRONI Will Calendars - nothing

Unfortunately without further details this man cannot be researched.

Please contact me gavinbamford@btinternet.com should you have any information on this official.

Bryans, Sydney Thomas

Flying Officer Sidney Thomas Bryans

Bryans was born in the Eglinton district of Londonderry on 14th August 1919 to Joseph Bryans, Clerk and Ella Jane Bryans nee Hoffman. They were married on 14th September 1914 at Tralee Church of Ireland.

Bryans joined the Belfast Banking Company on 4th May 1937. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him and gave his address as Hilden, Northland Road, Londonderry.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Bryans volunteered and enlisted into the RAF Volunteer Reserve with Service Number 1062413. London Gazette entries record him receiving a commission with Service Number 144392.

Following his return from Active Service, he was transferred to Limavady branch on 23rd September 1946.

In 1948 Bryans left the bank and re-joined the RAF as an Instructor.

Bryans died on 5th October 1950 in an airplane accident at Sydenham Aerodrome (RAF Sydenham / Royal Naval Air Station). He had been instructing 2 officer cadets from Queen's University Officer Training Corps (OTC).

Various newspapers reported on the accident:

Derry Journal - 6th March 1950

Irish Independent - 6th March 1950

Belfast Telegraph - 8th March 1950

Belfast Telegraph - 16th March 1950

The family placed 'In Memoriam' notices on an annual basis.

Londonderry Sentinel - 5th March 1953

PRONI Wills record:

Bryans, Sidney Thomas of Hilden, 84 Northland Road, Londonderry. Flying Officer, Royal Air force died 5th March 1950 at Sydenham Aerodrome, Belfast. Administration Belfast 20 July to Joseph Bryans commercial traveller. Effects £957 18s. 11d.

Flying Officer Instructor Sidney T Bryans is buried in Londonderry. He is remembered on the Armed Forces Memorial and their Roll of Honour.

Buller, Alexander McLean

Flight Lieutenant Alexander McLean Buller (Known as Rex)

Buller was born at Manorhamilton on 30th June 1921 (and registered in the Ballymoney District) to Alexander McLean Buller and Anne Beatrice Buller nee Houston. They had married on 26th September 1917.

A brother, John Francis Buller was born at Manorhamilton on 17th June 1918 

Buller joined the Belfast Banking Company on 15th April 1940. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and gave his address as Cloughmills Creamery (Manager) and later 105 North Road, Belfast. Alexander (Juniors) wife, Mrs Jocelyn M Buller later signed the guarantee giving her address as 'Sherwood' Shore Road, Jordanstown. He is recorded as working in Central branch.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Central branch (Donegall Square North)

Buller volunteered for 'Active Service' in 1941 (Forces War Record) and enlisted into the Royal Air Force with Service Number 1796227. 

The London Gazette Supplement dated 4th August 1944 reported 1796227 Alexander McLean Buller being commissioned as a Pilot Officer from 11th June 1944.

The London Gazette Supplement dated 2nd July 1946 reported A McL Buller, 180086 being promoted from Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant from 11th June 1946.

He was demobilised on 25th November 1946. 

Buller was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in March 1948 paying 5 shillings subscription. 

The Belfast Telegraph of 4th April 1963 reported that Mr Alexander McL Buller was being sent to Banking School in Semmering, Austria.

He worked in Central, Head Office, Inspection Staff  and was appointed as manager to Ballyhackamore branch in 1967.

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

Belfast Bank, Ballyhackamore branch

Buller was appointed as an Advances Controller in 1971 as reported in the Belfast Telegraph of 24th May 1971.

The Belfast Telegraph of 9th November 1972 reported on his transfer from Ballyhackamore to Holywood branch. It was also reported that he is married and has 3 children.

Mrs J M Buller, the widow of A McL Buller, attended the 2000 re-dedication ceremony of the Rolls of Honour.

Brown, Robert George

Robert George Brown (known as Bertie)

Brown was born on 6th April 1924 to Robert Brown (Merchant Tailor - Marriage Registration) and Martha Emily Brown nee Crooks. They were married on 6th August 1918 at the Gospel Hall, Cookstown. His address was recorded as of 1 William Street, Cookstown. 

Brown joined Belfast Banking Company in 1942. His Bankers Guarantee was signed by his parents on 15th April 1942. A new Declaration of Secrecy was to be signed on 'return from Forces'. He is recorded as working in Portadown branch.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Portadown branch

Brown volunteered for War Service and joined the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.

The Portadown Times of 4th April 1952 reports on the marriage of Robert George Brown, Accountant, Belfast Banking Co. Ltd. to Miss Ruth Gertrude Wilson of Hilden, Springfield Road, Warrenpoint at Warrenpoint Presbyterian Church.

The Belfast Telegraph of 17th October 1969 reports the transfer of Brown to Ballymoney branch. It also mentions that Robert had worked in Londonderry branch.

Belfast Bank, Ballymoney branch

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch