McCurdy, John Hanna

John Hanna McCurdy

McCurdy was born at Bushmills on 7th February 1910 to Charles McCurdy, Merchant Tailor and Catherine McCurdy nee Taggart. They had married on 13th July 1891 at Toberkeigh Presbyterian Church, Bushmills.

The 1911 Irish Census records McCurdy (0) residing in house 32, Bushmills with his parents and 8 siblings; Samuel (15), Alexander (13), Kathleen May (11), Charles (9), Annie Maud (8), Margery Winifred (6), Daniel (4) and Jane Elizabeth (2).

McCurdy probably joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1928 and is recorded as working in Londonderry branch. Charles McCurdy, father, signed the Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank, Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

McCurdy volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Artillery with the Londonderry Sentinel of 9th November 1939 reporting that J H McCurdy had 'gone on service with the armed forces'.

McCurdy had previously married Gwen McClelland on 5th July 1939 in Londonderry with a daughter (born 10th June 1940) being announced in the family section of the Londonderry Sentinel of 15th June 1940. Their address at that time was reported as 4 Auburn Terrace, Londonderry. John's rank was also recorded as L/Bdr (Lance Bombardier).

The Londonderry Sentinel of 2nd November 1946 reports on J H McCurdy, Treasurer attending a meeting of the Londonderry branch of the Royal Artillery Association.

McCurdy is recorded in the 1966 annual accounts of the Belfast Banking Company as being manager of Strabane branch.

Belfast Bank, Strabane branch

Coulter, Joseph Sloan

Lieutenant Joseph Sloan Coulter

Coulter was born on 31st October 1921 to Joseph Coulter and Agnes Coulter nee Sloan. They had married on 17th September 1907 at Crescent Church, Belfast.

The 1911 Irish Census records Coulter's parents living in house 11 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast. The children are Margaret (2), Elizabeth (1) and Thomas (0).

Coulter joined the Belfast Banking Company on 15th May 1939. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him giving his address and occupation as (3) Sunningdale Park, Cavehill Road, Belfast – Factory Manager. Elizabeth Coulter, Spinster later signed the guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

The Belfast Telegraph of 15th May 1942 reported that J S Coulter had passed his final examination of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland. His preliminary exams were passed the previous year in 1941.

At some stage during the war, Coulter volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy.

Following demobilisation, Coulter returned from Active Service on 30th September 1946 and worked in Portaferry branch.

Belfast Bank, Portaferry branch
(Acknowledged to J Miller Collection)

The Belfast News-Letter of 18th November 1947 reported on the formation of the Cavehill branch of the Royal British legion and mentioned J S Coulter in addition to other bank colleagues; W F Irvine, Hugh McManus, H Malseed and R C Malseed.

Coulter joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) in 1948.

The Portadown Times of 4th March 1955 reported that J S Coulter had been transferred to Tandragee branch.

Belfast Bank, Tandragee branch

Coulter later left the bank and emigrated to Canada with his family.

Joseph S Coulter died in Calgary, Alberta. Canada on 15th May 1988.

J S Coulter - Grave Marker

Todd, William John

Sergeant William John Todd

Todd was born at Craignagat, Ballycastle on 11th April 1921 to John Todd, Farmer and Sarah Ann Todd nee Gaston. They had married on 25th February 1920 at Rasharkin Presbyterian Church.

On 1st February 1940 Todd joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

A transfer to Head Office – Foreign Department followed the same year.

 
Todd was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 19th May 1941 and resigned from the bank. His final rank of Sergeant has been transcribed on his staff record ledger sheet. There is no 'unit' mentioned.

 
He resumed duty with the Northern Bank on 1st October 1946 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Markets (1946), Head Office – Relief Staff (1948), Ballymoney (1949 - Accountant), Head Office (1949), Larne (1949 - Accountant), Head Office (1951), Londonderry (1952 - Control Clerk and then Teller), Portaferry (1960 - Teller), Larne (1962 - Teller then Sub-manager then Manager) and Coleraine (1969 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Markets branch

Northern Bank, Ballymoney branch

Northern Bank, Larne branch

The Belfast News-Letter of 28th April 1950 reported that W J Todd, Northern Bank, Larne had gained 1st place in his Diploma in Foreign Exchange examination run by the Institute of Bankers in Ireland. He won a prize of 7 guineas.

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Northern Bank, Coleraine branch

Todd married a Miss Huey in 1956.

He may have retired from Markets branch.

Duncan, John James

Driver John James Duncan

Duncan was born in Cavan (Road, Fintona) on 18th September 1918 to Andrew Robert Duncan, Farmer and Margaret E Duncan nee Robb. They had married on 2nd December 1914 at Fintona Presbyterian Church.

On 2nd May 1938 Duncan joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Transfers followed to Portrush (1939 - Relief), Ballybofey (1939 - Relief), Lisburn (1939 - Relief) and Whitehead (1940).

Northern Bank, Portrush branch

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch 

Northern Bank, Whitehead branch

On 1st March 1940 he was ‘Called up on Active Service’ into the North Irish Horse. On 4th April 1940, John transferred from the North Irish Horse into the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) as a Driver.

Duncan resigned from the Bank on 4th April 1946 and received a letter of reference dated 2nd July 1947. The bank completed a questionnaire from the Ministry of Finance on 31st October 1947.

The Belfast Telegraph of 22nd October 1964 reported on an inquest (John Amos, Cavan, Fintona) where John James Duncan, Farmer was a witness:

McFeeter, William Andrew

Sergeant William Andrew McFeeter

McFeeter was born at Bridge Street, Coleraine on 29th April 1903 to William McFeeter, Draper and Lizzie McFeeter nee McGee. They had married in Coleraine on 12th April 1908.

In 1911 McFeeter (7) is living in house 9, Bridge Street, Coleraine with his parents and 2 sisters; Violet E (11) and Kathleen K (10). Others in the house are Andrew McFeeter (an uncle), David Caldwell (a boarder) and Mary E O'Brien (servant). This house may have been known as Waterford House. 

 
On 17th January 1921 McFeeter joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Transfers followed to Londonderry (1921 - Junior), Head Office (1922), Shaftesbury Square (1925 - Cash Book then Assistant Accountant), Head Office (1929 - Relief), Dungannon (1939 - Cashier), Londonderry (1933 - Accountant), Magherafelt (1937 - Cashier) and Head Office (1939).

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch

Northern Bank, Magherafelt branch

The Londonderry Sentinel of 19th July 1938 reported on the Will of his father, William McFeeter who had died on 1st May 1938:

McFeeter volunteered and enlisted on 3rd March 1939 in the 8th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery with Service Number 1474569. He was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 26th August 1939 when he signed on for 4 years SR (Supplementary Reserve) as a Lance Bombardier (unpaid). A promotion to Bombardier followed in 1940 with Sergeant afterwards.

 
Following demobilisation, McFeeter resumed duty with the Northern Bank at Head Office on 31st October 1945. Transfers followed to Larne (1945), Ballymena (1948 - Sub-manager) and Royal Avenue (1956 - Assistant Manager).

Northern Bank, Larne branch 

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

William McFeeter retired on 26th February 1965.

Price, William Wynne

Lance Bombardier William Wynne Price (known as Wynne)

Price was born at Townparks, Larne on 4th July 1908 to Timothy Lawrence Price, Journalist and Margaret Price nee Williams. They had married on 23rd July 1873 at Mallow United Church of England and Ireland, Co. Cork.

In 1911 Price (2) lived in house 41, Glenarm Road, Larne with his parents and brother, David Lawrence (6). A servant, Annie Pennie (20) also lived in the house.

On 1st December 1925 Price joined Northern Bank at Head Office.  

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Transfers followed to Ballymena (1925 - Junior), Head Office (1926), Kilrea (1927 - Junior), Royal Avenue (1931 - 2nd Junior), Head Office (1935) and Londonderry (1936).

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

Northern Bank, Kilrea branch

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

In 1939 Price joined the Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery as a Gunner. He was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 4th September 1939. A promotion to Lance Bombardier followed.

Price resumed service with the Northern Bank on 19th November 1945. Transfers followed until his retirement as Manager, Trevor Hill, Newry on 30th June 1971.

Northern Bank, Newry branch

The Belfast Telegraph of 15th February 1947 reported on the wedding of Wynne Price to Miss Barbara Elise Macnaughton Blythe at St Patrick's Church, Jordanstown.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Autumn 1980) contains a photograph of Royal Avenue staff in the 1930’s.

William Wynne Price died on 30th April 1989.

The following comments were left on the page:

"Wynne and Barbara retired to Warrenpoint, followed by Rostrevor....and much later, back to Warrenpoint."

"William was always known by his second name, Wynne. His wife's name was Barbara Elise, not Elsie....as the newspaper wedding article misprinted. They had three daughters, Felicity, Corinne and Brenda. There followed five grandchildren...Benjamin and Ashley, Daniel and Laura, Michael."