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Tuesday 2 May 2023

Logan, Ernest Williamson


Lieutenant Ernest Williamson Logan

Logan was born at Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan on 13th July 1896 to Rev. John Logan Presbyterian Minister) and Anna Marie Logan nee Eakin. His name was not recorded on the birth registration until he received his baptismal name. His parents had married on 1st October 1895 at Carrickmacross Presbyterian Church.


E W Logan - Birth &Registration & Baptismal Name

In 1901 Ernest (4) lived in house 25, Moydalgen, Dromara, Co. Down with his parents and brother, John Thompson (1). A servant, Anna Maria Gray (18) was also in the house.

The family was living in England for the 1911 census and are recorded as residing in Glenburn, Basford Park, Stoke On Trent, Wolstanton.

John studied for his bank Entrance Examination at Skerries College in Belfast. They advertised his exam success in the Belfast News-Letter of 18th September 1912:


John joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1912/13 working in Head Office and Central branches. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him.


Bankers Guarantee Ledger sheet 


Belfast Bank, Central branch (Donegall Square North)


Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

Ernest volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles where he attained the rank of Lieutenant. 


E W Logan - Medal Index Card

The Belfast News-Letter of 27th April 1917 records that E W Logan has completed his training at Fermoy and has been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 20th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles.


His first theatre of war is recorded on the Medal Index Card as France from 22nd July 1917.

The Northern Whig of 23rd January 1918 reported that 2nd Lt E W Logan to be temporary .... on appointment to Indian Army Reserve of Officers from Royal Irish Fusiliers.


Following his demobilisation, Ernest returned to work in the bank at Central branch. This advertisement was published in the Northern Whig of 22nd January 1921:


John was a member of the Irish Bank Officials' Association and in 1928 he was appointed to the Belfast committee rising to Honorary Secretary in the mid 1940s.

John's father, Rev. Dr John Logan died in March 1957. His obituary in the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph of 7th March 1957 mentioned John and his brother, F S Logan, Manager, Northern Bank, Keady.

Lockhart, John Thomas


Lance Corporal John Thomas Lockhart
Lockhart was born at Cargin, Forkhill, Co. Armagh on 29th January 1890 to John Lockhart (Sergeant, Royal Irish Constabulary) and Margaret Lockhart nee Magill. They had married on 6th September 1883 at Eglinton (Street) Presbyterian Church, Belfast.
John Lockhart (Senior) died at Portballintrae on 13th March 1908 aged 52. He had been a Petty Sessions Clerk.
In 1911, John (21) was living in house 19, Orient Gardens, Cliftonville, Belfast with his mother (51) and 3 siblings; Frederick James (26), Ellie (24) and Joanna (22). John has recorded his occupation as a Bank Clerk.
John later joined the Belfast Banking Company and worked in Head Office. 

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

John's father, John Lockhart of Bushmills signed his Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee Ledger

A later Bankers Guarantee was signed by Robert Lockhart of 33 Bedford Street, Belfast and Margery Kate Lockhart of Belfast Bank House, Londonderry.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee Ledger

In April 1913, John passed the final examination of the Institute of Bankers, gaining first place in Ireland and third in the United Kingdom.
In September 1914, John volunteered and enlisted into 'D Squadron’, North Irish Horse and attained the rank of Lance Corporal. His Service Number is recorded as 1219 with the NIH. Another number, 71288 is recorded with the Corps of Hussars.

J H Lockhart - Medal Index Card

This photograph and article about John Lockhart appeared in the Coleraine Chronicle in January 1915:

[Image courtesy of Nigel Henderson]

It describes Lockhart as having left Antrim with his troop some time ago en route for active service, and is now temporarily quartered near Bedford.
His Medal Index Card records John's first theatre of war as France from 1st May 1915.
The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet describes Lockhart as 'being in hospital' with his last known address as Queenstown, Ireland.
John was demobilised in 1919 and transferred to the Class Z Army Reserve. 
Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Lockhart returned to work in the bank. various newspaper extracts record him as working in Ballymena branch prior to his transfer as manager on Londonderry.

Belfast Bank, Ballymena branch



Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

The Belfast News-Letter of 3rd June 1954 reports the engagement of John's 3rd daughter, Katherine Elizabeth (Betty) to E B C Gwinnell. John is mentioned as having been awarded the MBE.
Retirement for John came in 1945. 
PRONI Will Calendars records Lockhart, John Thomas of 35 Carolhill Park, Holywood Road, Belfast retired bank manager, died 16th December 1961. Probate Belfast, 27th April 1962 to Belfast Bank Executor and Trustee Company Limited. Effects £2008 12s. 11d.
Further information on John Lockhart is recorded on the excellent North Irish Horse website.