Lance Corporal Bertram Henry Haire
was born in Carndonagh, Co. Donegal on 10th December 1887 to Henry Haire, Bank Manager and Elizabeth Alexandra Haire nee Church. They had married on 18th April 1876 at (Tamlaght) Finlaggan Church of Ireland, Limavady.In 1901 Bertram (13) was living in house 37, Market Square, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal (Northern Bank) with his parents and 3 siblings; Alicia (22), Gerald (12) and Elizabeth (9). A servant, Mary Gager was also living in the house. Henry Haire's occupation is recorded as Bank Manager.
Northern Bank, Carndonagh branch (prominent building on left)
In 1904 Bertram joined Northern Bank at Bailieborough. Transfers followed to Raphoe (1906 - Junior), Kingscourt (1910 - Junior), Head Office (1911), Kingscourt (1912 - Junior), Whitehead (1913 - Junior), Head Office (1913), Claudy (1914 - Junior) and Head Office (1914).
Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast
Northern Bank, Whitehead branch
By 1911, Bertram was living on his own in house 16, Market Street, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan. He is recorded as a Bank Cashier. His father, Henry Haire (62) is living in 17 Market Square, Carndonagh with his daughter, Julie (28).
On 5th September 1914, Bertram volunteered and enlisted into the South Irish Horse for 'one year or the duration of the war'. The 'Forces War Record' indicates he was treated for 'dental caries (tooth decay)'
B H Haire - Forces War Record
A Pension Card exists for Bertram Henry Haire recording that he was issued with Service Number 1112 and had been promoted to Lance Corporal. His address is Northern Banking Company, Grafton Street, Dublin. It is also annotated 'now residing in Canada, 18th November 1920'.
B H Haire - Pension Card (front)
B H Haire - Pension Card (back)
Following demobilisation, Bertram re-joined Northern Bank on 1st April 1919 at Head Office. There is no record on his Staff Record card that he worked in Grafton Street branch.
He resigned from the bank on 28th February 1920 and was awarded £100 and £45 (3 months salary).
Bertram Haire departed on the ship 'Corsican' on 15th Oct 1920 from Liverpool, England to Quebec, Canada.
B H Haire, 32, Labourer
Bertram Haire (74) died on 10th May 1962 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He was cremated at Garden Chapel, Ocean View Burial Park, Burnaby, BC, Canada.