Mason, Ernest Vance

Captain Ernest Vance Mason MC

Mason was born at Boyle on 5th January 1887 to John Mason, Apothecary and Jane Barbara Mason nee Church.

In 1901 the family were living in house 2, Main Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. John, Jane and their daughter, Audrey Kathleen (12). A governess, Georgina Frances Young (23), an apprentice, William Hagan (18) and a servant, Maria Sheerin (20) were also in the house. I cannot trace Ernest in the census database.

Mason would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1904 and is recorded as working in Omagh branch. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him.

E V Mason - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Omagh branch

Mason joined 'The Ancient Masonic Lodge Number 588 Donegal' on 5th September 1910.

E V Mason - Masonic Lodge Register

In 1911 Mason is boarding with the Gardner family in house 9, Doonan, Donegal town. He is described as a Bank Official. A possible colleague, George Albert Barnes (Bank Official) also boards in this house. Barnes is recorded in the Londonderry Sentinel of 1st September 1928 as working for the Royal Bank of Ireland.

Belfast Bank, Donegal branch [This branch would 

later be sold to the Royal Bank of Ireland after the partition of Ireland]

Mason volunteered and enlisted into the South Irish Horse with Service Number 1138. He would later transfer to the Royal Field Artillery. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 18th December 1915. Ernest's address is recorded as c/o Mrs Sweeney, 52 High Street, Holywood. That address is currently that of Sweeney's Pharmacy, Holywood.

E V Mason - Medal Index Card

Lt E V Mason was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for an action at 'P' Ridge, Salonika on 19th September 1918. The citation was dated February 1919 and says:

"Gazette Issue 31158. M.C. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the following awards to the mentioned Officers and Warrant Officers in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field. Awarded the Military Cross. For his gallant conduct, forcefulness and the valuable information sent back under circumstances of extreme danger. When acting as F.L.O. on 'P' ridge on the 19th September, 1918, though wounded in three places and continuously under heavy enemy barrage, he continued to report information of vital importance, showing great courage and devotion to duty."

Capt E V Mason - Military Cross

His engagement notice below also shows him being awarded the Creux de Guerre (France) medal.

Capt E V Mason - Creux de Guerre (France)

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Mason as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address as 'Salonika'.

The engagement of Capt Ernest Vance Mason MC, CdeG, St Anne of Russia etc of Belfast Bank, Drogheda to Eileen Maud M Kilroy was announced in the Irish Society (Dublin) of 23rd April 1921.

E V Mason - Engagement Announcement

Belfast Bank, Drogheda branch [This branch would 

later be sold to the Royal Bank of Ireland after the partition of Ireland]

Following the partition of Ireland, the Belfast Banking Company sold all its branches and transferred their 'southern' staff to the Royal Bank of Ireland.

On 25th April 1922 Mason married Eileen Maud Margaret Kilroy at Holy Trinity Church, Wallington, Surry. His occupation and address is recorded as Captain, R F A of Springfield, Rathfriland, Co. Down.

Capt E V Mason - Marriage Registration

The Sligo Champion of 11th August 1923 records E V Mason as signing a letter complaining about the 'state of Rosses Point and Sligo Road'.

Various directories (Thom's Directory) in the 1920s to 1940s record Ernest as living in 6 Rostrevor Road, Rathgar, Dublin and other Dublin addresses.

Pension record cards exist for Ernest. They record his disability as 'Gas Poisoning & Dysentery'. An address at 52 High Street, Holywood is also recorded.

E V Mason - Pension Card 1 - Age 30 would give a date of 1927

E V Mason - Pension Card 2 - Eileen Maud Margaret Mason - Widow

The Wicklow People of 4th July 1942 reports on the theft of Ernest's raincoat:

E V Mason - Raincoat theft

Malseed, John Stewart

Gunner John Stewart Malseed

Malseed was born at Warrenpoint on 24th October 1898 to James Malseed, Bank Clerk and Mary Jane Malseed nee Wallace. They had married on 8th November 1894 at the residence of Mrs Malseed according to the form and discipline of the Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Malseed (2) is living in house 24, Sea View Street, Warrenpoint, Co. Down with his parents and brother, Hugh Wallace (4). A servant, Martha Brown (23) is also in the house. His father's occupation is recorded as a Bank Cashier.

Belfast Bank, Warrenpoint branch

By 1911, Malseed 's parents are living in house 30, High Street, Antrim, Co. Antrim (Belfast Bank). James Malseed is recorded as a Bank Manager. 

Belfast Bank, Antrim branch (Belfast Bank House)

In 1911 Malseed and his brother Hugh are attending boarding school at house 10, Cairncastle Road, Larne, Co. Antrim.

Malseed probably joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1916 and is recorded as working in Head Office. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Malseed volunteered and enlisted as a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Following his demobilisation, Malseed  resigned from the Bank on 31st March 1919. He is named on the 2nd Antrim Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour.

High Street (Second) Presbyterian Church, Antrim - Roll of Honour
(Courtesy of W J Canning via the Eddies Extracts website)

Eddie Connolly of Eddies Extracts notes "Regiment recorded in Roll of Honour as Cadet Corps but on church memorial as "Royal Garrison Artillery".

Malseed became a student in January 1919 and studied medicine at Queen's University, Belfast.

John S Malseed - 1919 Medical School Register

Malseed  was successful in his Bachelor of Medicine degree with the Northern Whig of 27th March 1924 reporting his pass.

Malseed  was living in Blackburn in 1939 and was recorded in the 1939 Register as a Medical Practitioner. A Dorothea Alice Malseed was also recorded on the register.

John S Malseed - 1939 Register

John Malseed died on 4th September 1950 and is buried in the Mellor Methodist Churchyard, Lancashire.

John S Malseed - Probate

Malseed, Henry

2nd Lieutenant Henry Malseed

Malseed was born at Edendale, Londonderry on 14th July 1892 to Robert C Malseed (Grocer and General Merchant and Elizabeth Malseed nee Hannah.

In 1901 Malseed (8) lived in house 5 Clooney Road, Waterside, Londonderry with his parents and 7 siblings; Robert W (25), James (24), Agnes (21), Alfred (19), Florence (16), Jennie (13) and Thomas H (11). Two servants, Annie Orr (28) and Maggie Dore (18) were also living in the house. Henry was recorded as 'Harry' on the census form.

By 1911 the family were living in house 7, Clooney, Londonderry. Elizabeth Malseed and her children, James (32), Jennie (22), Harry (18) and Agnes Doreen (6) were present along a servant, Mary Rodgers (32). Harry's occupation is not recorded. 

Malseed probably joined the Belfast Bank around 1910 and is recorded as working in Head Office. His mother, Elizabeth Malseed signed his Bankers Guarantee. James Malseed (brother) also signed it at a later date.

Henry Malseed - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

Malseed volunteered and enlisted into the 1st Bn. Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) with Service Number 2389. He was later commissioned into the 11th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a2nd Lieutenant.

H Malseed - Medal Index Card

His address on the Medal Index Card is recorded as 100 Balmoral Avenue, Belfast.

Malseed was awarded the 1915 Star, British War medal and the British Victory Medal for service in the Great War.

Pte H Malseed - Medal Roll - 1st Bn. Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) 

Pte H Malseed - Medal Roll - Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records him as being 'previously wounded' with his last known location as 'invalided home'. Due to his injuries, Malseed was awarded a Silver War badge (Number 290745) as recorded below.

2nd Lt H Malseed - Silver War Badge

Malseed married Miss Frances Louisa E (?) Victoria Marks at 5 Deramore Drive, Belfast (brides home) on 12th October 1920.

A Pension Record card was also created for him as below:

2nd Lt H Malseed - Pension Record Card

 

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Henry returned to work eventually ending in Accountants Department.

Malseed and his wife, Frances had a child on 26th May 1922, Robert (Bobby) Campbell Malseed who would later also join the Belfast Bank. Bobby, as he was known would serve in the Second World War.  

Malseed was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club on 26th March 1945 paying 5 shillings subscription.

 
Retirement came on 30th July 1956.

MacGrath, Reginald Robert Carew

Captain Reginald Robert Carson MacGrath MC

MacGrath was born at 2.2 Morehampton Road, Dublin on 4th July 1886 to William Ellison MacGrath, Gentleman and Kate MacGrath nee Carew. He was baptised on the 10th July 1886 at Donnybrook, Dublin. 

In 1901 Reginald (14) lived in house 5, Montpelier Parade, Blackrock, Dublin with his parents and 2 siblings; Kathleen (20) and William (23). A servant, Mary Limmons (27) also lived in the house. William MacGrath is recorded as being 'Retired from Bank'.

The Belfast News-Letter of 18th October 1904 carried a report of 'the remains of William Ellison MacGrath, late manager of the National Bank, Kingstown were interred today'.

Reginald would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1903/04 and is recorded as working in College Green, Dublin branch. His Bankers Guarantee was signed by his mother, Kate.

R R C MacGrath - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Banking Company, College Green, Dublin branch

By 1911 Reginald was boarding with the Templeton family in house 13, Sandy Street, Newry, Co. Down. He is described as a Bank Official.

Reginald volunteered and enlisted into the 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Regiment and attained the rank of Lieutenant (14th March 1916) and later, Captain. His Medal Index Card records his first theatre of war as France from 14th June 1915.

R R C MacGrath - Medal Index Card

The card records him as a Captain who has been awarded the MC - Military Cross. The London Gazette of 25th April 1919 records:

3rd R. Ir. Regt.: R R C MacGrath, M.C., is placed on the ret. list on account of ill-health contracted on active service, 27th Apr. 1919, and is granted the rank of Captain.

 

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records MacGrath as having been awarded military honours, the Military Cross (MC). His last known address is recorded as 'in France'.

Capt R R C MacGrath - Medal Roll 1

2/Lt R R C MacGrath - Medal Roll 2

The Medal Index Card records Reginald's address as (1) c/o Grace Bros, Lagos, Nigeria and then (2) Elm Park House, Elm Park Gardens, London, SW1.

Following his demobilisation and on 'account of ill-health contracted on active service', Reginald was eligible the Silver War Badge although I cannot find a record on Ancestry. A Pension Record Card also exists for Reginald.

Lt & A/Capt R R C MacGrath MC - Pension Record Card

The Irish Society (Dublin) of 30th April 1921 announced his engagement to Catherine Beatrice King-Church.

It is not thought that Reginald returned to the bank following demobilisation. There are a few sea voyages (found on Ancestry) between England & South Africa and return:

1922 - Lagos, Nigeria to Southampton - travelled with Catherine Beatrice MacGrath

1935 - England to Cape Town, South Africa - travelled with A N Other

1938 - Durban, South Africa to Southampton - travelled with Catherine MacGrath

1946 -  England to Cape Town, South Africa - solo trip

1948 - Mombasa, Kenya to England - travelled with Catherine MacGrath


Reginald Carew MacGrath of 23 Boxgrove Avenue, Guildford died on 29th March 1959. Probate records his estate going to Sheilagh Beatrice King-Church presumably a family member on his wifes side.

R C MacGrath - Probate

MacDonnell, Robert Campbell

Gunner Robert Campbell MacDonnell

MacDonnell was born at 11 De Burgh Terrace, Londonderry on 19th March 1900 to Robert MacDonnell, Bank Clerk and Virginia Mary MacDonnell nee McCulloch. Their surnames were recorded on the birth register as McDonnell. They were married on 27th April 1899 at Cumber Presbyterian Church, Londonderry.

In 1901 MacDonnell (1) was living in house 11, De Burgh Terrace, Londonderry with his parents and a servant, Catherine Boutcher (18). Robert (Senior) is described as a Bank Cashier. Their surname is recorded as MacDonnell.

By 1911 they have moved to house 30, Mill Street, Ballymena. The father is now recorded as a Bank Manager. A servant, Margaret Sara Wylie (22) is also living in the house.

Belfast Bank, Ballymena branch (Belfast Bank House)

MacDonnell would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1917 and is recorded as working in Markets and Whitehead branches. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him. Roberts wife, Anne Louise MacDonnell of The Square, Portaferry (also later of Belfast Bank House, Whitehead) later joined in the guarantee.   

R C MacDonnell - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

The Northern Whig of 29th September 1913 records a R C MacDonnell as winning a Foyle College swimming event over 2 lengths.

MacDonnell volunteered and enlisted as a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery. Although Ancestry has records of a Robert McDonnell in the Royal Garrison Artillery, the enlistment date would record Robert as 15 years and 9 months. This is unlikely.

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, MacDonnell returned to work eventually ending up as Manager of Whitehead branch. He also served in Markets branch.

Belfast Bank, Markets branch (Victoria Street, Belfast)

The Ballymena Observer of 16th September 1921 reports on the marriage of John Alexander Givens, Cashier, Belfast Bank, Kilkeel and Miss Emily Lancashire. Robert is recorded in the article as giving the new couple a 'Silver Toast Rack'. His parents gave them a 'Salad Bowl'.

The British Newspaper Archive records a lot of articles with R C MacDonnell in them. Many are linked to his time in Portaferry branch and later in Whitehead branch.

Belfast Bank, Portaferry branch 

(acknowledged to J Miller Collection)

Belfast Bank, Whitehead branch 

MacDonnell was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in March 1947 paying 5 shillings subscription.

Retirement for Robert came in 1961.

MacDonnell died on 18th April 1970.

 
The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Winter 1984)’ contains a photograph of Roberts father, Robert MacDonnell in Londonderry branch in the 1930’s.

Staff, 1930, Belfast Bank, Shipquay Street, Londonderry branch

MacDonnell, Hugh Herbert

Lance Corporal Hugh Herbert MacDonnell

MacDonnell was born at 3 Malone Avenue, Belfast on 13th May 1894 to Hugh MacDonnell (Bank Manager) and Agnes MacDonnell nee McClure. He was registered as Herbert Hugh MacDonnell. His parents had married on 8th July 1885 at Clarendon Street Reformed Presbyterian Church, Londonderry.

Hugh MacDonnell of Shankill Parish, Lurgan, Bank Manager (Belfast Banking Company, formerly Coleraine branch) married Agnes McClure of Londonderry at Clarendon Street Reformed Presbyterian Church, Londonderry on 8th July 1885.

Courtesy of Michael Dibb via https://www.geograph.ie/photo/5505643

Belfast Bank, Coleraine branch (Belfast Bank House)

Belfast Bank, Lurgan branch (Belfast Bank House)

In 1901 MacDonnell (6) lived in house 1, Rugby Street, Ormeau Ward, Belfast with his parents and 4 siblings; Winifred Beatrice (14), Evelyn Maude (13), Samuel Sydney (11) and Gwendoline Irene (9). A servant, Sarah Carson (22) also lived in the house.

Hugh MacDonnell Senior died at Rosgarvagh, Ravenhill Road, Belfast on 5th March 1910 aged 53.

By 1911 MacDonnell was living in house 57, Ravenhill Road, Ormeau Ward, Belfast with his mother and 2 sisters, Winfred and Irene. Hugh is described as a Bank Official.

MacDonnell would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1911/1912 working in Central and Bangor branches. His mother, Agnes signed his Bankers Guarantee.

H H MacDonnell - Bankers Guarantee Ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Central branch (Donegall Square North)

Belfast Bank, Bangor branch

Hugh MacDonnell volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Garrison Artillery and attained the rank of Lance Corporal.

He married Jean Greacen at Monaghan during quarter 3 of 1941. 

Hugh MacDonnell of 66 Sandhurst Drive, Belfast died on 6th May 1961 and is buried in plot E802 at Roselawn Cemetery, Belfast. His widow, Jean died on 19th January 1973 and is buried in the same plot although her name has not been inscribed on the headstone.

Grave of H H MacDonnell at Roselawn Cemetery, Belfast