Templeton, Arthur Moore

Sergeant Arthur Moore Templeton (known as Moore)

The 1901 Irish Census records James Templeton (30) and Mary Templeton (23) residing at house 45 Sandymount Street, Cromac, Belfast with their daughter Elizabeth (5). Elizabeth was born on 4th April 1895 at 27 Shankill Road to James Templeton and Maggie Templeton nee Suffern. They had married on 25th December 1894 at Fitzroy Avenue Presbyterian Church, Belfast. Maggie Templeton died on 31st October 1897 at 27 Shankill Road, Belfast. 

James Templeton, a widower married Mary Dugan on 10th January 1900 at Cliftonville Church. The 1911 Irish Census records James Templeton and Mary Colville Templeton residing at house 59, Brunswick Road, Bangor with their children; Elizabeth Suffern (15), Margaret Scott (14), Mary Colville (6) and James Stanley (5). 

Templeton was born in Bangor on 28th July 1912. Known as Moore, Templeton joined the Belfast Banking Company on 1st April 1930 and served in Head Office. James Templeton of 64 Southwell Road, Bangor signed his Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Soon after the war started, he volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force (R.C.A.F.) with Service Number 1071533. Having been promoted to Sergeant (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner), he was serving with the 427 (R.C.A.F.) Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (R.A.F.V.R.) when he was killed on 4th February 1943.

Templeton flew in a Wellington bomber (III BJ668 ZL-X) out of RAF Croft, Neasham, North Yorkshire, England. His plane crashed at Ploemeur, Brittany, NW of Lorient, France. All but one of the crew were killed. The survivor became a Prisoner of War.

The Lost Aircraft website records details of the incident here.

Templeton is buried in Guidel Communal Cemetery, Morbihan, France. The family have remembered him on this gravestone:

Thanks to Nigel Henderson

He is also remembered on the findagrave website here and on the War Dead of North Down and Ards website.

There is a memorial to Templeton in the Trinity Presbyterian Church, Bangor.

Henry, Gilbert Newman

Leading Aircraft Man (LAC) Gilbert Newman Henry

Henry was born at Model School, Coleraine on 28th May 1913 to Robert Henry, School-Master and Gertrude Henry nee Hallett. They had married on 25th July 1904 at Merrion Hall, Dublin.

The 1911 Irish Census recorded Robert and Gertrude Henry living in house 13 Waterside, Coleraine with their son Robert Walter (2). Gertrude's sister Florence Hallett was also present in the house.  

Henry was educated at Coleraine Academical Institution where he won a number of prizes.

On 1st July 1931, Henry joined the Belfast Banking Company and was based initially in Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast before transferring to Bangor branch later that year (Northern Whig of 17th August 1931). Mrs Gertrude Henry signed the Bankers Guarantee giving her address as Church Street, Coleraine and later as 11 Fifth Avenue, Bangor.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Bangor

Belfast Bank, Bangor branch

Although war was declared on 3rd September 1939, Henry waited until 3rd September 1941 before he volunteered for service in the RAF with Service Number 1414533. His career in the RAF took him into many areas:

6th September 1941 to 16th August 1946
RAF with Service Number 1414533 and starting rank of AC2

6th September 1941 to 20th October 1941
RAF Receiving School

21st October 1941 to 10th January 1942
RAF Cranfield

10th January 1942 to 21st May 1942
RAF RTU Glasgow

21st May 1942 to 15th September 1945                       
No. 80 (Signals) Wing RAF (Radio Counter Measures)

21st May 1942 to 28th August 1942
No. 3 Wing Signals School, Cranfield

28th August 1942 to 15th September 1945
No. 80 (Signals) Wing RAF, Radlett

7th November 1944
Promotion to LAC

1st February 1945 to 13th May 1945
Bruges, Belgium & Wendjyne, Holland; No. 50 MSU

15th September 1945 to 12th April 1946
No. 48 Squadron Transport Command, Cairo, Egypt

21st January 1946 to 12th April 1946
RAF Moral Leadership School, Jerusalem 

Henry was awarded the Defence Medal, the War Medal, the 1939-45 Star and the France & Germany Star. 

After demobilisation, Henry returned to work for the Belfast Banking Company on 17th August 1946 and was working in Bangor branch from  1947. 

He was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in March 1948 paying 1 shillings subscription.  

In the 1966 annual accounts of the Belfast Banking Company, Henry is recorded as being manager of Saintfield branch. 

Belfast Bank, Saintfield branch

Henry is remembered on the Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church Roll of Honour and his name also appeared in a booklet from 1947.

Gilbert Henry retired in 1974 and died on 12th April 1994.

Lindsay, Charles William

C W Lindsay winning the 440 yards (junior) at 

RBAI sports grounds - Larne Times of 21st June 1924

Wing Commander Charles William Lindsay AFC

Lindsay was born in St Patrick's, Mohill on 11th May 1910 to David Lindsay, (of Belfast), Bank Inspector and Alice Catherine Lindsay nee Polson. They had married in Mohill on 29th September 1903 with David giving his address as Whitehead.

In 1901, an unmarried David Lindsay, (Charles' father) was boarding in house 111, Whitehead. His occupation was recorded as Bank Manager.

Belfast Bank House, Whitehead (and branch)

In 1911 Lindsay (0) was living in house 2, Mount Royal, Portrush with his parents and 2 brothers, David (4) and Henry Alfred (2). A nursemaid, Mary Jane Lloyd (22)  was also in the house on census day. David records his occupation as a bank inspector. 

Lindsay was educated at the Model School, Carrickfergus before obtaining a scholarship to the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Inst) in Belfast (Belfast News-Letter of  27th June 1923).

Lindsay also played rugby and features in many sports reports in local newspapers. See picture above.

Lindsay joined the Belfast Banking Company on 1st February 1928 and is recorded as working in Antrim branch. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

 

Belfast Bank, Antrim branch

At that time, his father (David Lindsay) was living in 'Cooleen', Jordanstown and his brother, Henry Alfred Lindsay was working for Northern Bank, Royal Avenue, Belfast.

Around 1939/1940 Lindsay volunteered and enlisted into the RAF.

 
The London Gazette (1941) records a C W Lindsay AFC in the RAF. His Service Number was 70402. Promotions from Flight Lieutenant to Squadron Leader (1941 temp.), Squadron Leader (1942 war subs.) and to Wing Commander (1944 temp.).

 
On 27th March 1942, Lindsay was awarded the Air Force Cross (AFC). The London Gazette recorded him as being in the 'Reserve of Air Force Officers'.

Following his war service, Lindsay resigned from the Bank on 22nd November 1946.

The Belfast Telegraph of 6th October 1948 published this letter from him:

 

In 1949, the London Gazette records that he was granted an extension of service for five years in Class "C" and is granted the rank of Squadron Leader (subs.) with effect from 14th April 1948 (seniority 1st August 1940). He relinquishes the rank of Wing Commander (temp.) 1st November 1947 and is transferred to Class "A" with effect from 11th October 1948.

In 1949 he is reported to be the 'Charter manager of Shorts' (Belfast Telegraph of 24th February 1949).

Charles Lindsay continued on in the RAF until 11th May 1955 when he relinquished his commission and retained the rank of Wing Commander.

Rainey, William Alexander

Squadron Leader William Alexander Rainey DFC (known as Bill)

Rainey was born at Bushmills on 15th December 1910 to John Alexander Rainey, Cycle Maker and Jane Rainey nee McBride. They had married at Bushmills on 26th August 1908.

Rainey joined the Belfast Banking Company. Mrs Jane Rainey (mother) and John Rainey (brother) signed his Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

 
The London Gazette (1943) records a W A Rainey with Service Number 123607. Bill served in the RAF and attained the rank of Squadron Leader and as a Bomber Pilot he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. His citation reads:

"This officer has consistently displayed the utmost courage, fortitude and devotion to duty in many hazardous operations against enemy targets by day and night."

Distinguished Flying Cross

Following demobilisation, Rainey returned to Ballymena.

The Belfast Telegraph of 13th May 1949 reports that W A Rainey passed his Final examinations of the Institution of Bankers in Ireland.

His community service was recognised in 1960 when he was made a Justice of the Peace (JP) for County Antrim. He also holds the Gold Badge, the highest award of the RAF Association for outstanding service.

Rainey is recorded in the 1956 and 1966 annual accounts of the Belfast Banking Company as being manager of Ballymena branch.

Former Belfast Bank, Ballymena branch

In sport, Rainey has represented Ulster in tennis and hockey and he was a single handicap golfer at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

He holds the Diploma of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland.

 
The Staff Magazine ‘The Link of Summer 1970 and Summer 1974 contain photographs of Bill.

Rainey died on 10th July 1978 and is buried in Ballyclug Churchyard, Ballymena. The cremated remains of his son, Christopher Alexander Rainey (1936 to 1988) have also been placed in the grave.

Bass, Hugh Gray

Sergeant Hugh Gray Bass (known as Jamesie to family)

Bass was born at Ivy House, William Street, Drogheda on 22nd July 1914 to Isaac William Bass, Secretary and Sara Bass nee Colhoun. 

Following his education at Campbell College, Bass joined Northern Bank on 1st March 1935 at Head Office. His address is recorded as 18 Cedar Avenue, Antrim Road, Belfast. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Transfers followed to Lisburn (1935 - Junior), Portadown (1941 - Relief Staff) and Randalstown (1941 - Junior).

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch

Northern Bank, Portadown branch (in background)

Northern Bank, Randalstown branch

Bass was ‘Called up for Active Service’ on 28th October 1943 when he joined the RAF as an AC2 before being promoted to LAC and then Sergeant.

Bass married a Miss J I Hanna of Lisburn on 8th September 1944.

Following demobilisation, Bass resumed duty in the bank on 30th December 1946 before resigning the next year (1947) to enter his father-in-law’s business in Lisburn.

H G Bass became well known through his work in Lisburn Historical Society. He wrote a book on ‘Boyd’s of Castle Buildings’ and ‘Alexander Boyd & Co’ – Records and Recollections of Alexander Boyd & Co. Ltd.

The Campbell College Register of Lennon Wylie records Bass, Hugh Gray (E), b. 22nd July, 1914, son of Mrs. Bass, Tir-na-nog, Jordanstown. L.VI, July, 1932. Scholar. N.I. Civil Service, 1934. Northern Bank, 1935. 1939-45 War: R.A.F., V.R. Director, Alexander Boyd & Co. Ltd. Address: The Drift, Clonevin Park, Lisburn. (M.q.)

Acknowledgements to the lennonwylie website.

Hugh G Bass was later to be elected as a councillor to Lisburn Borough Council. Whilst Mayor, he met the British Home Secretary and future Prime Minister, James Callaghan on 26th March 1971.

Picture from 'Lisburn The Town and its People 1873-1973' by Brian Mackey [Ulster Star]

He was later made a Freeman of the Borough of Lisburn. This image is of him (middle) showing his scroll to other councillors on 26th September 1973.

Picture from 'Lisburn The Town and its People 1873-1973' by Brian Mackey [Ulster Star]

The main image is of Hugh Bass attending the 1974 Ex-Servicemen's Association dinner.

Bristow, John Follett

Squadron Leader John Follett Bristow

Bristow was born in the District Township of Krugersdorp, South Africa on 5th May 1907 and baptised at St. Peters, Krugersdorp on 16 June 1907. He was the son of  Captain Samuel Follett Bristow and Alice Maud Bristow nee McLeod/Green.

A detailed family and career history has been included in the comments section reproduced below.

Bristow joined Northern Bank on 11th May 1925 in Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Transfers followed to Antrim Road (1925 - Junior), Head Office (1927 - Junior), Connswater (1931 - Accountant), Head Office (1933 - Accountant's Room) and Lisburn (1940 - Relief Staff).

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch

In 1928 he joined the RAF Special Reserve.

On 2nd December 1940, Bristow was "permitted to join" the RAF Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR). The bank Staff Record card is annotated "he had already committed himself". His Service Number was 89053. Promotion came in July 1941 to Pilot Officer, Flying Officer in December 1941 and Flight Lieutenant in December 1942. The London Gazette records him as being a War Substantive Squadron Leader from December 1943. 

Following his war service, Bristow re-joined the bank in Markets branch as the Accountant.

Northern Bank, Markets branch

1948 saw a transfer to the Donegall Square branch. He was promoted in 1955 to Pro-Manager and in 1961 to Sub-Manager there.

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

Bristow relinquished his RAF (VR) commission in July 1963 with a rank of Flight Lieutenant, RAF Secretarial Branch.

In 1966 Bristow was promoted to Sub Chief Accountant and was based once again in Head Office.

Bristow retired on 31st May 1970.

The main image is of J F Bristow attending the 1974 Ex-Servicemen's Association dinner.

Squadron Leader John Follett Bristow died on 3rd January 2007 and is buried in his grandparent's family grave at Drumbeg Parish Church, Co. Down, Northern Ireland.

The following sections have been provided via comments left:

John Follett Bristow was son to Captain Samuel Follett Bristow. For instance -

Captain Samuel Follett Bristow – first Rank: Lieutenant - The Royal Irish Rifles; Dark Green Facings, 4th Battalion {formerly the Queen's Royal Rifles}: obtained, 3 November 1897; see - Lieutenant General H. G. Hart, (ed), The new annual army list; militia list, and yeomanry cavalry list, for 1898 (being the fifty-ninth annual volume), containing dates of commissions, and a summary of the war services of nearly every officer in the army, supply & c., departments, marines, and Indian staff corps, and Indian local forces, corrected to the 31 December 1897, with an index by the late Lieutenant General H. G. Hart, vol. lix, (London, 1898), p. 371; he served in the Anglo-Boer War with 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Riffles. Later Rank: Second Lieutenant. 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Riffles and embarked for South Africa on 26 October 1899. See – Lieutenant General H. G. Hart, (ed), Harts Annual Army List; Included in this volume, The Royal Company of Archers: The King's Body Guard for Scotland, vol. lxiv (London, 1903), p. 345. Soon after seconded for service with the South African Constabulary on 15 November 1900 – See The London Gazette, 16 April 1901, p. 2620; and by 1902 obtained the rank of Captain: E Division South African Constabulary. Captain Samuel Follett Bristow was severely wounded during a skirmish at Leeuwpan on 1 May 1902 – See Belfast Telegraph, 8 May 1902].

Squadron Leader John Follett Bristow’s mother was Alice Maud Bristow ńee McLeod/Green. For instance -

Alice Maud Bristow ńee McLeod/Green was daughter to Henry Green of Kimberley, Cape Province, South Africa. The latter was born Montreal Canada, 23 August 1818 and died Springkloof Barkly West, Cape Province, South Africa, 26 September 1884 – See Probate Records of the Supreme Court, Africa, 1871-1937. Alice Maud Bristow ńee McLeod/Green’s mother was Ida Johanna Caroline Green ńee Von Lilienstein of Baronrath and Wessels Roads, Cape Province, South Africa. The latter was born a German Countess in c.1837 and died Claremont, Cape Province, South Africa on 13 May 1911: see - South Africa, Cape Province, Civil Deaths. Alice Maud Bristow ńee McLeod/Green was married first to Arthur James McLeod of Bulawayo, South Africa. The latter was an Attorney of Law. Her second husband was Captain Samuel Follett Bristow of E Division South African Constabulary.

During 1905 to 1908 Captain Samuel Follett Bristow of E Division South African Constabulary was promoted to Inspector of the newly constituted Transvaal {South African Republic} Police. Following Inspector Samuel Follett Bristow’s death in c. 1911, Alice Maud Bristow ńee McLeod/Green made her way to Ireland with her 3 sons – one of whom was John Follett Bristow. No doubt the reason why Alice Maud Bristow ńee McLeod/Green decided to move from Africa to Ireland was because her late husband’s family were from there. Indeed, Inspector Samuel Follett Bristow’s father was The Very Rev. Dean John Bristow M. A of Down and Connor; Incumbent of Gleneraig, County Down in 1863 and Rector of St. James, Belfast in 1890. The Very Rev. Dean John Bristow M. A was brother to James Thom[p]son Bristow. For instance -

James Thom[p]son Bristow was the eldest son of James Bristow of Belfast; he was appointed pro-Director of the Northern Banking Company in 1848 and in 1852 he was elected as a Director of the Northern Banking Company. During 1863 to 1867 James Thom[p]son Bristow became Managing Director of the Northern Banking Company, following the death of his father - See Belfast Weekly News, 28 July 1877.

Thus, Inspector Samuel Follett Bristow’s great grandfather was James Bristow - Managing Director of the Northern Banking Company. This individual was one of the early founders of the Northern Bank and one of a long line of Bristow’s who had occupied positions of authority in this institution during the late ninetieth and early twentieth century.

Squadron Leader John Follet Bristow married his wife Marjorie Isobel Bristow ńee McKee at McCracken Memorial Presbyterian Church, Upper Malone, Belfast on 3 November 1935 [See - Belfast Newsletter, 4 July 1935. 

By 1935 John Follett Bristow's mother - widow Alice Maud Bristow ńee McLeod/Green, had remarried for the third time to Brown Sproule Campbell and had relocated with her husband to Kenya, Africa. Brown Sproule Campbell died in the Eldoret District of Kenya Colony on 10 January 1935. At which point Alice Maud Campbell was named as the administrator of his estate by His Majesties Supreme Court of Kenya - See: The Official Gazette of the Colony and Protectorate of Kenya, vol. xxxvii, No. 15 (Nairobi, 26 March 1935), p. 280. Brown Sproule Campbell was a Chartered Accountant whose birth was registered in Belfast in 1886. The latter was son to a Shipyard Manager - William Campbell of 5 Kansas Avenue, Clifton, Belfast - See Census of Ireland 1911.

Alice Maud Bristow ńee McLeod/Green and Brown Sproule Campbell had married in Belfast in 1918. Brown Sproule Campbell was an Accountant in Muncipality of Eldoret, Kenya Colony in 1934. The latter’s wife remained in Eldoret until at least 1938. In fact, she was registered up until that point on the Eldoret Electoral Roll. Alice Maud Campbell ńee Bristow/McLeod/Green and Brown Sproule Campbell boarded the ship Tanganjika - destination: Mombasa on 23 December 1929. There address at that point in time was 59 Botanic Gardens Belfast. The couple travelled from Kenya to Northern Ireland in 1934 and stayed at 33 Ulsterville Avenue, Belfast. In 1948 Alice Maud Campbell ńee Bristow/McLeod/Green returned to Northern Ireland from Kenya and visited 16 Shrewsbury Gardens, Belfast.

Squadron Leader John Follett Bristow’s wife Marjorie Isobel Bristow ńee McKee was a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music and a Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music. The latter was daughter to George McKee of Deramore Park, Belfast and her residence at the time of her death was 16 Shrewsbury Gardens, Belfast, BT9 6PJ. This of course was the same address that her mother-in-law Alice Maud Campbell ńee Bristow/McLeod/Green had visited on her return visit from Kenya to Belfast to see her son and his family in 1948.

Squadron Leader John Follett Bristow was transferred from the Royal Airforce General Duties Branch to the Royal Airforce Special Reserves on 21 December 1927. His Service Record with the RAFSR was started on 5 January 1928 and his temporary rank as Pilot Officer was announced on 3 January 1928. Between 14 January 1929 and 26 January 1929 Pilot Officer John Follett Bristow was assessed at RAF Eastchurch. He obtained scores of 96 per cent in gunning and 75 per cent in bombing. His assessor wrote that Pilot Officer John Follett Bristow was ‘a very keen and intelligent Officer. He knows the Lewis gun thoroughly [and] has a working knowledge of the bomb sight’. Not long after this assessment The London Gazette, reported on 2 July 1929, that Pilot Officer John Follett Bristow’s rank was officially confirmed; however, on 8 September 1933 the latter relinquished his commission on completion of his Service. 7 years later, Pilot Officer John Follett Bristow reapplied to the RAF on 15 July 1940. At this point his goal was to join the RAF Volunteer Reserves and, indeed, it was mentioned on his Service Record that his home address was 16 Shrewsbury Gardens, Belfast, Northern Ireland and that in civilian life he was a Bank Official in the Northern Banking Co., Belfast.

I noticed you said that you weren’t aware of any children, but Squadron Leader John Follett Bristow and Marjorie Isobel Bristow ńee McKee did have a son. His name was Colin George Bristow, the 2x great grandson of James Bristow: Managing Director of the Northern Banking Company, great grandson of The Very Rev. Dean John Bristow M. A of Down and Connor and grandson of Inspector Samuel Follett Bristow of the Transvaal {South African Republic} Police.

End of comments section.

Wilson, Herbert Andrew

Herbert Andrew Wilson

Wilson may have been born in the Ballykelly, Limavady Registration area on 25th March 1921 to Joseph Wilson, Farmer and Martha Wilson nee Rosborough. They had married on 23rd August 1904 at Dungiven Presbyterian Church.

Following his education at Cookstown High School, Wilson joined the Belfast Banking Company in 1940 at Enniskillen branch. His brother, John James Wilson, farmer of Co. Tyrone signed the Bankers Guarantee. Albert is recorded on the ledger as working in Lurgan branch.

Belfast Bank, Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Enniskillen branch

Belfast Bank, Lurgan branch

In 1942 Wilson volunteered for war service and joined the Signals branch of the Royal Air Force. He served in Coastal Command (West Africa) and South East Asia Command until 1947.

Following his return from active service, Wilson resumed his banking career and served in branches at Armagh, Lisburn, Lurgan, Larne and Bradbury Place as Sub-Manager. 

Belfast Bank, Armagh branch

Belfast Bank, Lisburn branch

Belfast Bank, Larne branch

Belfast Bank, Bradbury Place branch

 In 1967 he was promoted to manager at Shankill Road branch. Andrew returned to Bradbury Place as manager in 1971.

Belfast Telegraph - 27th October 1971

Belfast Bank, Shankill Road branch

Wilson was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in March 1948 paying 1 shillings subscription. 

A retirement article (from Finaghy branch) with photograph was published in the staff magazine ‘The Link’ (Autumn 1982). 

McBride, Frederick Charles

Frederick Charles McBride (known as Fred)

McBride was born at 24 Burmah Street, Belfast on 17th January 1921 to John Chambers McBride, Manufacturer's Agent and Sarah McBride nee Rankin. They had married on 25th August 1909 at Ballymena.

McBride joined the Belfast Banking Company on 15th April 1940. His brother, David Livingstone McBride of 48 Melrose Street, Belfast signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

McBride returned from Active Service on 23rd September 1946 and was transferred to Ballymena on 1st November 1946. 

Belfast Bank, Ballymena branch

He is recorded in the 1966 annual accounts of the Belfast Banking Company as being sub-manager of the Albertbridge Road branch. He also served in Head Office and Finaghy.

Belfast Bank, Albertbridge Road branch

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

This comment was posted below the article:

"F C McBride was my first sub manager when I joined Northern Bank, Connswater, 411 Newtownards Road, BT4, in March 1973. A real gentleman and a pleasure to work with."

McBride retired on 31st May 1982 from Finaghy branch. 

Northern Bank, Finaghy branch

A retirement article and photograph was published in the Northern Bank staff magazine ‘The Link’ (Autumn 1982).

 
Mrs M McBride, widow of F C McBride attended the 2000 re-dedication ceremony of the Rolls of Honour.