Grant, James Herbert

2nd Lieutenant James Herbert Grant MM

Grant was born on 18th April 1888 at 3 Downshire Park or Place, Belfast to James Grant, Clerk and Mary Grant nee Walsh. They had married on 17th July 1878 at Hillsborough Parish Church.

In 1901 Grant (12) was living in house 96, Donegall Pass, Windsor Ward, Belfast with his parents and 7 siblings; Amelia Florence (3), Mary Rosena (5), Eliza Eleanor (21), Frederick William (19), Arthur Hill (15), Robert John (10) and Andrew Walter (7). An uncle, Robert Grant was also in the house.

Grant would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1906 serving in Drogheda and Lurgan.  His father, James signed the Bankers Indemnity and following his death, Andrew Walter (brother) signed as well.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Indemnity Ledger - J H Grant

Belfast Bank, Drogheda branch

Belfast Bank, Lurgan branch

Grant had a brother, Andrew Walter Grant of Northern Bank, Willowfield, Belfast (also O’Connell Street, Dublin – Manager). He also features in this publication.

Mark Duffy (a 'Belfast' Black Watch researcher) has kindly sent me a photograph that he believes is Andrew Grant.

"Cpl Grant 1/6. Fate Unknown. Was with me in Aberdeen in 1914" 
[Written on photo reverse, no further information].

In 1911, Grant is boarding with the McWatters family in house 2 Drumarg or Downs, Armagh Rural, Co. Armagh. He is described as a Bank Official. A possible colleague, Frederick Charles Robinson (Bank Official) is also boarding in this house.

In 1911 the family are still in Donegall Pass. His parents, 3 daughters, uncle and 1 servant are present.

On Ulster Day, 28th September 1912, Grant signed the Ulster Covenant at Armagh giving his address as Malart Villa, Armagh.

Grant volunteered and enlisted into the 18th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers with Service Number PS/6051.  Promotion via Sergeant lead to him transferring as a 2nd Lieutenant to the 3rd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

Medal Index Card - J H Grant

Grant's Medal Index Card records his first theatre of war as France and Flanders from 14th November 1915. 

The London Gazette dated 16th November 917 recorded 6051, Cpl J H Grant, Royal Fusiliers (Hillsborough) as being awarded the Military Medal.

On 25th April 1917 Grant was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant.

1915 Star - Roll - Pte J H Grant

Victory Medal and the British War Medal Roll - Sgt J H Grant

In addition to the Military Medal, Grant was awarded and applied on 25th November 1922 for the 1915 Star, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Grant returned to to the bank.

Retirement came in 1951. 

He died on 19th January 1956. His grandson has written to me about his death: 

"James Herbert Grant (Bert) died 19th January 1956. Got off train at Ballygowan Halt station on 18th January 1956 on way to Corcreeny to visit Florrie (his sister) and got lost in a snow storm. He was found dead in a snow drift the next morning." [This would be the area of the Banbridge, Lisburn, Belfast Junction Railway].

James Herbert Grant is buried in the Grant family grave in Hillsborough Parish Church graveyard with other members of his family.

Grant family grave - Hillsborough Parish Church

Southam, Ernest

Corporal Ernest Southam

Ernest Southam was born at 34 Upper Canning Street, Belfast on 6th January 1920 to Richard Francis Southam, Soldier and Mary Ann Southam nee Little. They were married at St Anne's Church of Ireland on 8th October 1906. Richard was a Lance Corporal in the Royal Irish Rifles based in Victoria Barracks, Belfast.

The 1939 Belfast Street Directory records Richard Southam as the caretaker of Northern Bank, 109-113 Royal Avenue branch.

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Southam, Service Number 7012844, served with the 1st (Airborne) Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles. He died in France on 23rd August 1944.

Casualty List extract - Cpl E Southam

Southam was married to Amelia Elizabeth Southam, of Brithdir, New Tredegar, Monmouthshire, Wales.

Ernest & Amelia Southam

[Courtesy of Michael Clarke's Ancestry archive]

Southam is buried in a CWGC marked grave in the Tourgeville Military Cemetery, Calvados Region, France.

Corporal Ernest Southam - CWGC Headstone

[Courtesy of Find a Grave website]

At the location of Southam's death, there is a marker listing the names of Southam and two colleagues:

[Courtesy of Michael Clarke]

A family 'in loving memory of' card:

[Courtesy of Michael Clarke's Ancestry archive]

I am grateful to Richard Southam's grandson, Michael Clarke, for permitting me to publish a couple of the  images above. Michael writes:

"Many thanks, yes my Grandfather Richard Francis Southam worked for the Northern Bank, he served in WW1 and afterwards was RSM of the Lisburn C Specials and then worked for the bank. My Mother lived in the bank with some of her siblings and Parents, I was in it a couple of years ago and was allowed to go onto the top floor where they lived. I have a photo of my Grandfather on the roof [see below] and a letter [see below] from the Northern Bank thanking him for saving the Company car from the stationary building during the blitz and awarding him £10. My Grandfather took my Mum and one of my Uncles up onto the roof after the air raids had stopped one night and my Mum said it was like a scene from hell, everywhere was burning all over Belfast.

Coincidently, the writer, Gavin Bamford worked in 109-113 Royal Avenue branch in the 1970s/80s. After Gavin's father died in 1961, his mother took on a 'charlady' called Bella (can't recall her surname) who lived in the caretakers flat in the 1960s.

Richard Southam, as a caretaker, would probably also have been a 'fire-warden' for the bank keeping an eye out at night during the German blitz periods over Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland. This next photo shows Richard Southam on the roof of the Northern bank head office on Victoria Street / Queen's Square.

[Courtesy of Michael Clarke]

[Google Earth view of the former Northern Bank head office 

showing the dome where Richard Southam is standing]

The letter from the bank relating to the 'incendiary bomb' that landed on the roof of the bank 'Stationery Store' on the night of 4th/5th May 1941. This period was known as the 'fire raid'.

[Courtesy of Michael Clarke]

Coleman, William Desmond

William Desmond Coleman (known as Desmond)

Desmond Coleman was a Belfast Bank official (accountant) between the years of 1929 to the 1930s and although he is not recorded on the Belfast Bank War Memorial / Roll of Honour, he qualifies as a former official who served in WW2 with the Royal Artillery (22 Mountain Regiment, Royal Indian Artillery).

Coleman was born at Belfast Bank, Hill Street, Newry on 27th January 1912 to William Hanna Coleman, Bank Manager and Hester Lavinia Coleman nee Crossett. They had married on 31st August 1905 at Second Presbyterian Church, Cookstown whilst Wm H was working in the Belfast Bank, Cookstown branch.

On the previous census day, 2nd April 1911, the family were recorded as living at house no. 1 (Belfast Bank), Hill Street, Newry. The parents and 2 children; Margaret Kennedy (Peggy) (4) and Noel M (3) were present along with two servants; Sarah Henry (48) and Maggie Sloan (18).

June 1926 saw the marriage of Peggy Coleman to Mr J B Harris.

The Ballymena Observer published on Friday, 23rd August 1929 reports W D Coleman as entering the Belfast Bank at Head Office. A transfer followed in September 1931 to Kilkeel branch.

The Belfast Telegraph published on Saturday, 11th May 1935 reports on the banking examinations for W D Coleman, Belfast Bank, Kilkeel branch. 

May 1936 saw the marriage of Miss Noel M Coleman to Mr W D Wolseley, RUC. W D Coleman was an usher.

Wedding of Miss Noel M Coleman to Mr W D Wolseley
(Belfast Telegraph, 24th June 1936)

Promotion to Accountant in Kilkeel branch followed in 1937.

Coleman was elected Treasurer of Kilkeel Badminton Club in 1938.

The Frontier Sentinel published on Saturday, 16th September 1939 reported the loss of life of Mrs Burrows in the 'Athenia Disaster'. Mrs Burrows was the sister of Mr W H Coleman. The SS Athenia was sunk by the German Navy on 3rd September 1939 becoming the first British ship sunk during the Second World War. 

Coleman resigned from the Belfast Bank and joined the Imperial Bank of India at their Calcutta branch. He 'gave up an important position' to join the Royal Artillery at the outbreak of war and was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant with Service Number 132871 in the Royal Regiment of Artillery from an Officer Cadet Training Unit on 16th June 1940. 

Newry Telegraph, 28th March 1942

[Courtesy of Nigel Henderson]

The newspaper report says he was safe but CWGC records that he died on 16th February 1942. It is thought that the letter in the article was written after the Japanese invasion of Malaya but before the Fall of Singapore.

Coleman was serving with the Royal Artillery (22 Mountain Regiment, Royal Indian Artillery) when he was Killed in Action on 16th February 1942, aged 30. He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial at Kranji and on the Second World War memorial window in Downshire Road Presbyterian Church, Newry. He is also commemorated on a personal memorial window in the same church.

W D Coleman Family Memorial Window

Downshire Road Presbyterian Church, Newry

[Courtesy of Nigel Henderson]

His death was verified by the War Office on 8th March 1946 Lieutenant William Desmond Coleman 

W D Coleman of Moyne, Rostrevor Road, Warrenpoint. Probate was granted to William Coleman, father, retired bank manager on 3rd December 1942. Estate was £1,067 17s 2d.

Images of the 'Rolls of Honour' and 'War Memorials'

The 'Rolls of Honour' / 'War Memorials' are installed in a basement corridor of the Northern Bank (Danske Bank) Head Office, Donegall Square West, Belfast.  They are securely attached to the walls and are covered in glass to protect them. 

The width of the hall together with the reflective glass make it extremely difficult to take good photographs without reflections.

There is no memorial to the 3 civilian bank employees who were murdered during the Northern Ireland Conflict.

Northern Banking Company - Brass Panel with Raised Lettering - The Great War & WWII

Northern Banking Company - The Great War - Pictorial Record - Panel 1

Northern Banking Company - The Great War - Pictorial Record - Panel 2

Northern Banking Company - The Great War - Pictorial Record - Panel 3

Belfast Banking Company - Brass Panel with Raised Lettering - The Great War & WWII

Belfast Banking Company - The Great War - Pictorial Record

Northern Bank - Ladies of 1919

Northern Bank - Ladies of 1919

A number of Lady Staff photographed on the roof of the Northern Bank Head Office building in Victoria Street, Belfast.

Some of them may have joined the bank to cover the officials who had left for war service.

Northern Bank Golf Club Outing - May 1951

Amongst this group of golfers are a few ex-servicemen e.g. L McK White, J F Bristow, Wm H G Millikin and R P MacGregor.

Belfast Bank Football Team - 1930's

Amongst this group of footballers are a few ex-servicemen e.g. O. Mulholland, W A Rainey and I W Bratty.

Excerpts from Documents

25th September 1945

Temporary Lady Clerks

As the members of the permanent staff in the Forces will soon be returning to take up duty again, the Temporary Lady Clerks will, as a matter of course and in keeping with the terms of employment, be released from duty as the men return.

We are sending this notice now so that those ladies may have an opportunity of securing positions elsewhere and we shall be prepared to release them on short notice, if they are successful.

We wish to express to the Lady Clerks, our appreciation of the help that they have given in carrying on the services of the Bank to the Public during the War period.

 

 

19th March 1946

Staff

In order to avoid redundancy of staff by the return of Officials from Active Service, we have, as far as possible, restricted new entrants to our Service, and, therefore, decided not to hold an examination for Clerkships this year.  As the rate of demobilisation is somewhat slower than we expected in the case of younger men we now find that our Staff will be somewhat short during the Summer months when we are providing for holiday and sick relief.

We do not wish in any way to curtail or upset the usual holiday arrangements, and we appeal, therefore, to our Managers and Staffs, to examine the situation at their respective Branches and see if it would be at all possible to help us out of this temporary difficulty by lending us a hand for the current leave season, or by dispensing with relief.

Your cooperation will be greatly appreciated and materially help us to tide over a very difficult period.

Relocation of Northern Bank War Memorial - 1977

Relocation of Northern Bank War Memorial - 1977

Following the sale of the Northern Bank former Head Office at 16 Victoria Street, Belfast, it was necessary to remove and re-locate the Northern Bank War Memorial. This Memorial which bears the names of Officials who served in the 1914-1918 and the 1939-1945 wars has been placed beside the Belfast Bank War Memorial in Waring Street branch, Belfast.

The Dean of Belfast, The Very Rev. S B Crooks, M.A., T.D., kindly offered to officiate at a Dedication Service which was held in the Branch on 7th December 1977.

The service, which was attended by ex-servicemen and their guests, was followed by dinner in the Ulster Reform Club. As it has been decided to discontinue the annual dinner the evening was naturally filled with nostalgia.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link’ (Spring 1978) contains photographs of veterans and guests of the Ex-Servicemen's Association. A few names are known. Please help by commenting.

Rededication Service in Waring Street branch

A, Brian White & David (?) Christie

D, E, F & G

H, Barry Lowry & Micky Thompson

Barry Lowry, Wesley Duncan, Stanley Dawson & N

O, P, Q & R

R & P

Wilson Ervin & V

Gold, David Arthur

Lance Corporal David Arthur Gold

Gold was born at Ballybay on 24th February 1880 to David Gold, Land Agent and Anne Jane Gold nee Johnston. They had married on 11th June 1868 at Ballybay Church of Ireland.

Gold joined Northern Bank on 10th March 1897 in Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Londonderry (1897 - Junior), Hillsborough (1898 - Junior), Ballycastle (1900 - Junior), Claudy (1901 - Junior), Head Office (1906) and Comber (1907 - Cashier), Head Office (1913) and Fintona (1914 - Cashier).

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

Northern Bank, Ballycastle branch

Northern Bank, Claudy branch

Northern Bank, Comber branch

Northern Bank, Fintona branch (1980s)

Courtesy of Allan McCullough & family

In 1901 Arthur Gold (as record in census) was boarding with a Margaret Archibald in house 33 North Street, Ballycastle. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

By 1911, Gold is boarding with the Brown family in house 1 Town Parks, Comber, Co. Down. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Cashier. Whilst in Comber, David played cricket for the North Down Cricket club with his name appearing in various newspaper sports reports.

David Gold (as per Medal Index Card) Gold was based in Fintona branch when he volunteered and enlisted into the 14th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles as a Private with Service Number 14/17726. His first theatre of war is recorded as France form 5th October 1915.

D A Gold - Medal Index Card

He was later promoted to Lance Corporal and saw action in the Somme (1916). At some stage he received a gunshot wound and lost his right eye. 

His Army Service Record is complete and consists of over 20 pages, some with scorch marks arising from a fire during World War 2.

D A Gold - Army Service Record

D A Gold - Army Service Record

Gold was taken prisoner and became a Prisoner of War in Germany. His Army Service Record records his period off captivity from 2nd July 1916 to 23rd November 1918 when he was repatriated to the UK. During his period of captivity, Northern Bank staff attempted to trace him.

10th August 1916 - Letter from Northern Bank to Infantry Record Office, Dublin

16th August 1916 - Memo from Infantry Records to Northern Bank

Demobilisation came in March 1919 and he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal for service during the Great War.

D A Gold - Memo re 1914-15 Star Medal

D A Gold - Memo re British War & Victory Medals

Following demobilisation, Gold re-joined Northern Bank. He also applied for a pension as a result of the loss of his right eye. His residence is recorded on the Pension record Card as Northern Banking Company, Ballymena.

D A Gold - Pension Record Card

D A Gold - Pension Record Card

Gold re-joined Northern Bank on 22nd April 1919 and after a short period in Head Office, he was appointed manager of Shercock branch.

Northern Bank, Shercock branch

On 21st January 1920 David Gold resigned from Northern Bank on pension. He had 23 years of service.

David Gold died on 11th January 1954.