Northern Bank 200th Anniversary - September 2024

Gavin Bamford writes:

"I'm very proud to have co-authored the banks 200th anniversary book along with Nick Garbutt and hope that you enjoy reading it. 

"I have specifically included the names of our five murdered colleagues whom we will always remember. 

The bank writes:

"2024 is our 200th year in business, something we're very proud of. To mark that, we commissioned two former colleagues to put together a commemorative photobook. Our CEO Vicky Davies unveiled the book with the authors in our Head Office. 

The book can be downloaded free via this link.

Gavin has published a short personal launch video. 

Gavin Bamford, Vickey Davies & Nick Garbutt

Gavin Bamford showing his book 

in the War Memorial corridor of 

Northern Bank (T/as Danske Bank) Head Office

Victory in Europe Day - 8th May 2020 - 75th Anniversary

VE Day - Belfast (Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch top right)

The 8th May 2020 was the 75th anniversary of the Victory in Europe. The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill broadcast to the nation at 3:00 pm on 8th May 1945. Many people around the UK had already been celebrating from the day before when news broke.

96 of our colleagues volunteered for service in the Army, Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. 13 did not return.

Northern Bank – World War II	44 officials volunteered for service
of which	3 were killed in action
	1 was reported missing
Belfast Bank – World War II	52 officials volunteered for service
of which	9 were killed in action

The returning men were repatriated in stages from 1945 to 1947. Some had returned for other reasons during the war. All the men had stories to tell. A few left the employment of the bank and went on to other roles. 

The links below tell only part of the story. Each man has an individual story that can be accessed via the website filters.

Belfast Banking Company - deceased, missing or served - names

Northern Bank - deceased or served - names

Bobby Malseed's return to banking in 1946 - article

We Shall Remember Them - (Courtesy of Heritage Flight Simulation)

Lisburn VE Day - 70 years on - by Gavin Bamford

Irish Census 1901 and 1911 - Addresses

The 1901 and 1911 Irish Census records are accessible on the Irish Genealogy website, free of charge.

Census of Ireland

• The 1901 census was taken on 31st March 1901.
  
  
• The 1911 census was taken on 2nd April 1911.

Using this site and its excellent search facility, I was able to trace a great number of the officials to where they or their families lived in both census years.

You will see the addresses in the biographies detailed as 'house number' e.g.

• Residents of a house 6 in Lisheegan (The Vow, Antrim)

House numbering, in the sense that we know it as today, did not appear until later in the 20th century. In the case above, this would be the 6th house along the road from where the census enumerator started his task. If you were looking for the property today, it may not be '6 Lisheegan Road'.

St Anne's Cathedral - Belfast Bank Memorial

St Anne’s Cathedral – Belfast Banking Company – The Great War – Memorial Plaque and Window

A brass Memorial Plaque in the North aisle, under this window in St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast

Dulce Et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori

Christie, C M, RAMC	Milligan, F A W, 2nd Lieut, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Collier, R J C, 2nd Lieut, RAF.	McFall, T L, 2nd Lieut, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.
Conolly, J H, 2nd Lieut, RMF.	McLean, J A, MC, Lieut, RFA.
Hamilton, J, 2nd Lieut, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.	McMahon, P, 2nd Lieut, Royal Irish Rifles.
Hewitt, W A, 2nd Lieut, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.	O’Kane, P, 2nd Lieut, R I Rifles
Hogarth, H P, Corporal, RE.	Robinson, W W, RDF.
Hunter, W M, 2nd Lieut, Royal Irish Fusiliers.	Somers, W J R, Corporal, Royal Sussex Regiment.
Maguire, F P, 2nd Lieut, Leinster Regiment.	Watson, J, Lieut, Manchester Regiment.
Morris, W O E, 2nd Lieut, King's Liverpool Regiment.

“The above window is erected by the staff of the Belfast Banking Company Ltd in memory of those of their brother officials who died on the field of battle in the Great War 1914”

A 'paper copy' of the window is also held in the Head Office of Northern Bank in Donegall Square West, Belfast.  Following restoration to the frame, it has been installed in the same area as the other memorials.

A fellow researcher has provided me with scans of an article printed in the Belfast News Letter dated 9th December 1918.

Nigel Henderson's very informative website is located here:  Great War Ulster Newspaper Archive

Sir Edward Carson and Lady Carson were present, and there was a very large congregation, including friends of the fallen soldiers and members of the staff of the bank.

Section 1

Section 2

Section 3

U.V.F. Patriotic Fund

U.V.F. Patriotic Fund

By the early part of 1916 the Ulster Volunteer Force (U.V.F.) command were realising that injured soldiers returning home and their families together with the families of deceased soldiers would need financial assistance.

The Command based at the Old Town Hall, Victoria Street created a U.V.F. Patriotic Fund and advertised for funds in local papers during May 1916.

The first list of subscribers was published in a Belfast Newsletter advertisement / appeal.

It must be noted that the Belfast Banking Company, Northern Banking Company and the Ulster Banking Company each donated £300 to the fund. This equates to £18, 244 as at 21st January 2019.

A Mr J R Bristow donated £25 (£1,520 as at 21st January 2019). He may have been related to the Bristow's who were senior directors of the Northern Banking Company.

Newspaper image courtesy of John McCormick

Stirling, Thomas

Lieutenant Thomas Stirling

Stirling was born at 44a or 440 Govan Road, Govan, Scotland on 23rd July 1895 to Thomas Stirling (Senior - Night Watchman) and Annie Stirling nee Colvin. They had married on 7th September 1891 in the District of Govan.

In 1901 the family are living in the Govan area of Scotland.

In 1911 Stirling (15) is living in house 6, Liswatty Lower, Knockantern, Co. Londonderry with his parents and brother, William's (19). William and Thomas' (15) birthplace are recorded as Scotland.

Stirling would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1913 and worked in Newry and Head Office. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as Liswatty, Cloyfin, Coleraine.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee

Belfast Bank, Newry branch

Belfast Bank, Head Office

Stirling volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Irish Rifles and attained the rank of Lieutenant in their 20th battalion.

The Londonderry Sentinel of 3rd July 1917 reports the wounding of Stirling:

• The Forces War Record database records a 2nd Lieutenant T Stirling of the Royal Irish Rifles as being wounded on 8th September 1917.
  
  
• It also records a promotion to Temp Lieutenant for a T Stirling with seniority from 7th January 1918 whilst serving with the 15th (Service) Battalion (North Belfast) Royal Irish Rifles.
  
  
• It also records a Temp Lt T Stirling as being Mentioned in Dispatches in the London Gazette (Issue 431442 page 8709) dated 8th July 1919. 

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

Belfast Bank - Roll of Honour booklet

PRONI records a Thomas Stirling of Liswatty, Cloyfin, Coleraine, County Londonderry farmer died 11 September 1941 Probate Belfast 4 March to William Charles Acheson and Finlay Sinclair farmers. Effects £466 13s. 4d. This man may have been Thomas' father.

Shearer, Frank

Lance Corporal Frank Shearer

Shearer was born at 49 Bryson Street, Belfast on 1st September 1884 to Adam Shearer, Labourer and Sarah Shearer nee Ramsey. They had married on 30th January 1865 at Ballysillan Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Shearer (17) is living in house 35 Ballycarry Street, Clifton Ward, Belfast with his parents and 5 siblings: John (31), Jane (29), Adam (27), Isabella (23) and Sarah (19). Francis is now known as Frank and his occupation is recorded as an Assistant Clothpasser.

In 1911 Shearer is living in house 30 Ballyclare Street, Clifton Ward, Belfast with his parents, sister Jane Millar and her 2 children John and Isabella. Frank's occupation is now a Hotel Servant / Boot.

Shearer may have joined the Belfast Banking Company between 1911 and 1914. 

On 7th September 1914 Shearer  enlisted into the 5th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers with Service Number 12473. His first theatre of war is recorded as the Balkans from 12th July 1915.

Shearer later transferred to the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment with Service Number 4215 and attained the rank of Lance Corporal.

On 16th March 1917 after 1 week with the Field Force was hospitalised on board Hospital Ship Warilda.  His ailment being described as 'delusional, insanity'. He was under treatment for 7 days before being transferred to a 'sick convoy' on 22nd March 1917.

Shearer was discharged from the army on 22nd February 1918 for reason 'No Longer ...".

L/Cpl 4215 Francis Shearer was awarded the Silver War Badge (number 319352) due to sickness.  He was aged 32. The War Badge records say he had served overseas.

F Shearer - Silver War Badge record

He was also awarded the 1915 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

F Shearer - Medal Roll

Shearer married Jessie Smith on 29th March 1918 at St Anne's Parish Church, Belfast. His occupation is recorded as Cloth Passer.

A Pension Record card exists for Francis Shearer with entries from 1922 to 1930. His address was recorded as 8 Ghent Street, Belfast.  His illness recorded as 'mental instability'.

F Shearer - Pension Record Card

The Belfast Bank Roll of Honour booklet records Frank Shearer as re-joining the bank in Markets branch.

Belfast Bank, Markets branch 

Francis Shearer died on 26th October 1929 with his death being registered in Belfast.

Walker, Samuel Edgar Stewart

Lieutenant Samuel Edgar Stewart Walker

Walker was born at Ballyrock on 29th April 1891 to James Walker, Farmer and Annie Mary Walker nee Stewart. They were married on 2nd October 1888 at Ballywatt Presbyterian Church.

In 1901 Walker (9) is living in house 1, Ballyrock Scotch, Beardiville, Co. Antrim with his grandparents David & Martha Walker, his parents and 5 siblings; Ida (2), Karolina (0), Marion (11), Francis (4) and Robert (7).

Walker would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1909 and is recorded as working in Derry and Warrenpoint branches. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee. Robert Walker (brother) later signed the document.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Belfast Bank, Warrenpoint branch

In 1911, Walker is boarding with the Coyle family in house 1.2 Castlewood Avenue, Rathmines & Rathgar East, Co. Dublin. His occupation is recorded  as a Bank Clerk. There are a further 2 possible colleagues boarding; Samuel H Eakin (22) and Archibald A Ennes (20), both described as Bank Clerks. 

By 1911 Walker's parents are living in house 5, Ballyrock Scotch, Beardiville, Co. Antrim with their 5 children; Robert, Francis, Ida, Karolina and John. A servant, William Moody is also present in the property.

Walker volunteered and enlisted as a Private into the Royal Highlanders with Service Number 2178. His first theatre of war is recorded as the Western Front from 2nd May 1915.

S E S Walker - Medal Index Card

Sergeant S E S Walker (Irish Independent of 3rd February 1917) was commissioned on 1st January 1917 from the Royal Highlanders into the 11th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant and was later transferred to the 12th Bn. & 3rd Bn. 

The Northern Whig of 19th February 1917 reports on his commission and mentions him being wounded.

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

The Ballymoney Free Press and Northern Counties Advertiser of 1st March 1917 reports the same incident and mentions that Walker's brother, Francis (F W Walker) is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery and is serving in France. He would later be promoted to Captain and awarded the Military Cross (MC).

Walker was later promoted to Temporary Lieutenant from 1st July 1918.

He was awarded the 1915 Star, British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

S E S Walker - Medal Roll

The Medal Index Card records his address as the Royal Bank of Ireland, Rathdown, Queens County, Ireland. In 1923 the Belfast Bank sold all its southern branches (and staff) to the Royal Bank of Ireland.

Belfast Bank later Royal Bank of Ireland, Rathmines, Dublin branch

As a result of his war injuries, a Pension Record Card was created for Walker recording his unit as 3rd Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Smyth, William Thorpe

Lieutenant William Thorpe Smyth

Smyth was born circa 1896/97 to William Smyth and Margretta Smyth.

Based on Smyth serving in France from mid-1916 it has not been possible to verify the Irish censi details.

Smyth may have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1915 and is recorded as working in Head Office and Newry branch. His father and mother signed the Bankers Guarantee with their addresses being recorded as Curragh, Dungall, Ballymena; The Vow, Ballymoney and Cambrai, Newhill Road, Ballymoney.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Newry branch

Smyth volunteered and enlisted into the Connaught Rangers before transferring to the 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 

The Ballymena Weekly Telegraph of 27th November 1915 reports that William Thorpe Smyth, son of 

Wm Smyth, The Curragh, Ballymena has been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Connaught Rangers.

His first theatre of war is recorded as France from July 1916. He later attained the rank of Lieutenant.

W T Smyth - Medal Index Card

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Smyth as having been 'previously wounded'.

On 20th February 1918, William Thorpe Smyth (full age, soldier) married Mary Edith Livingstone at Dundalk Presbyterian Church.

Smyth was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Smyth returned to work eventually ending up in Accountants Department with retirement coming in 1942.

Wm T Smyth died on 21st February 1963. His address at that time was 19 Ashley Gardens, Belfast. His estate, sealed in London was £79 3s 4d and left to his widow, Mary Edith Smyth. His estate, sealed in Belfast was £2,061 16s and left to his widow, Mary Edith Smyth.

The couples son, Benjamin served in the RAF VR during the Second World War:

SMYTH, Flying Officer (Pilot), BENJAMIN THORPE, 170709. 113 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. 29th March 1945. Son of William Thorpe Smyth and Mary Edith Smyth, of Belfast, Northern Ireland. 28. G. 19.  [Taukkyan War Cemetery].

Scott, John Marshall

Lieutenant John Marshall Scott

Scott was born at Abbey (Newry Registration District) on 28th August 1885 to Albert Scott, Merchant and Georgina Scott nee Hill. They had married on 26th June 1882 at the First Presbyterian Church, Seapatrick, Banbridge.

In 1901 Scott (15) lived in house 82, Vergemount Hall, Clonskeagh, Pembroke West, Dublin with his parents and 3 siblings; Albert George (17); Ernest Hill (14) and Hilda Joy (2). A servant, Mary McCoy was also present in the house.  

The 1911 Irish Census records the family living in house 1, Clareville Road, Terenure, Dublin. His sister Hilda Joy is the only sibling living at home. John’s occupation is described as a Banker. A boarder, George H Harrison and a servant, Bridget E Kearns are also present in the property.

Scott would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1911 and worked in Pembroke, Dublin and Rathmines, Dublin. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as Dublin. Later, his mother would sign the guarantee giving her address as 1 Clareville Road, Rathgar, Dublin.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheets

Belfast Bank, Pembroke, Dublin branch

Belfast Bank, Rathmines, Dublin branch

Scott volunteered and enlisted into the 1st Bn. Prince of Wales's Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians). On 1st July 1916 John was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant (on probation). His first theatre of war is recorded as Salonika, Greece from 15th September 1916.

Medal Index Card - Lt J M Scott

 

The Freeman's Journal of 4th January 1916 reported that John Marshall Scott, Leinster Regiment was 'missing, believed killed'. Fortunately this was not true and on 2nd August 1919 Capt & QM Lt J M Scott returned to the UK with the 1st Bn Leinster Regiment.

Scott was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. 

In 1923 the Belfast Bank sold all its southern branches (and staff) to the Royal Bank of Ireland. John's address on the Medal Index Card is recorded as Royal Bank House, Duggan Place, Rathmines, Co. Dublin.

John Scott, Bank Manager married Mrs Freda Forster King, widow, on 3rd June 1924 at St-Martin-in-the-Fields, London. Mrs King was the widow of Major Stanley King, Middlesex Regiment.

Scott & King - Marriage Registration

Caskey, William Scott

Colonel William Scott Caskey MBE

Caskey was born on 22nd March 1925 to Capt. James Alexander Caskey MC and Sarah Margaret Caskey nee Buchanan. His address was recorded as Breezemount, Roddens, Larne. Caskey's parents had married on 29th October 1919 at Burt Presbyterian Church, Co. Donegal.

 
On 29th March 1943 Caskey joined Northern Bank at Head Office. In the same year, he was transferred to Antrim Road as junior.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

 
Caskey resigned from the Bank on 31st March 1944 to enlist into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with Service Number I4446495. 

On 3rd August 1945 the London Gazette records Caskey as being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant with Service Number 352265 in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. 

Following the end of the war, he was promoted to Lieutenant on 22nd September 1947.

 
Caskey did not re-join the bank. This was confirmed in a note dated 6th January 1948 when he advised the bank that he had a commission in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

In 1952, Captain Caskey was Adjutant to the Royal Engineers sub-unit of Queens' University OTC attending a camp at Ballyedmond.

(Acknowledgements to lennonwylie)

In 1953, Caskey transferred to the Royal Army Pay Corps as a Captain and Paymaster with seniority from 5th October 1953. Promotion to Major came on 22nd March 1959.

In 1962, he was awarded the MBE (Military Division) in the Queen's Birthday Honours. On 31st December 1968, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

A further promotion to Colonel came on 30th December 1972 with seniority back dated to 30th June 1972.

On 30th October 1974, Colonel Caskey retired on account of disability. 

Caskey had several papers published on the computerisation of army payrolls.