Ross, John Alexander

Trooper John Alexander Ross

Ross was born at Gransha, Islandmagee on 15th June 1893 to Thomas Ross, Farmer and Annie Ross nee Ross. They were married on 1st April 1891 at Larne Presbyterian Church.

In 1901, Ross (7) lived in house 32, Gransha, Islandmagee, Co. Antrim with his parents and 3 brothers; Thomas (5), William (2) and James (9).

On 13th December 1910 Ross joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

By 1911, Ross is still living with his family in Islandmagee. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

Transfers followed to Bray (1911.) and Ball’s Branch (1914). 

Cheque drawn on Ball's branch, Henry Street, Dublin

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Ross signed the Ulster Covenant at Islandmagee Orange Hall giving his address as Mullaghboy.

Ross volunteered and enlisted on 7th December 1915, aged 22, into the North Irish Horse as a Trooper with Service Number 2032. 

J A Ross - Medal Index Card

The following biography is from the excellent website North Irish Horse.

John Ross embarked for France in 1916 or early 1917, where he was posted to C Squadron of the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment.

In September 1917 the 2nd NIH Regiment was disbanded and most of its men were transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. Like most of the men, Ross was transferred on 20 September. He was issued a new regimental number – 41317 – and was posted to C Company.

Ross saw a great deal of action with the battalion over the following year. On the night of 3 November 1917, C Company mounted a major raid on the German trenches near Havrincourt on the Cambrai front. The battalion war diary for that day states:

At 4.30 p.m. 'C' Coy left Ruyaulcourt and marched up to the line to carry out a raid. The enemy's front line was successfully penetrated, from the Canal ... to about 150 [yards] E of it. The fighting was very severe as the enemy refused to surrender. Our men stayed in the enemy trenches for twenty min. and bayonetted and shot at least forty Germans. We suffered some casualties, mostly from bombs:- 1 officer severely wounded; 1 officer slightly wounded; 1 N.C.O. killed; 3 O.R. missing, believed killed; 13 O.R. wounded; 1 R.E. (N.C.O.) severely wounded.

John was wounded in the arm. He recovered, however, re-joining the battalion later that year or in the early months of 1918.

Following the retreat from St Quentin from 21st to 28th March 1918 he was one of the many of the battalion initially posted as missing. It was later learned, however, that he had been wounded, again in the arm. Later that year he was able to re-join the battalion and take part in the Advance to Victory offensive in the final months of the war. During that time he was wounded again, this time in the left knee.

John was evacuated to the UK for treatment. On 14th March 1919 he was discharged, being no longer fit for military service due to his leg wound (paragraph 392 xvi King's Regulations). He was granted a pension, his level of disability having been assessed as 40 per cent.

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

J A Ross - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation, Ross re-joined the Northern Bank on 2nd June 1919 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Portaferry (1920), Lurgan (1926 - pro manager) and Markets (1934 – pro-manager).

Northern Bank, Lurgan branch

Northern Bank, Markets branch, Victoria Street, Belfast

John Ross died at his home, The Crag, Whitehead, County Antrim, on 2nd January 1940, leaving a widow, Winifred Mary. The bank staff record card records him as 'dying suddenly'. His estate, valued at £795 was left to his widow, Winifred Mary Ross.

Robertson, George Edward

Cadet George Edward Robertson

Robertson was born at 21 Peter Street, Waterford on 21st June 1882 to Charles Robertson, Methodist Minister and Mary Robertson nee Shillington. The bank staff record card records his date of birth as 22nd June 1882. They had married on 11th May 1864 at the Wesleyan Chapel, Drumcree, Portadown.

On 9th April 1901 Robertson joined Northern Bank at Ball’s Branch. In 1904, he was transferred to Grafton Street. 

Cheque drawn on Ball's branch, Henry Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin (tall building)

Robertson was interested in rugby and played for a combined banks team. The 'Dublin Daily Express' of 30th March 1908 recorded him as playing in a match - United Insurance Companies against United Banks. 

In 1911, Robertson is residing at house 13, Claremont, Drumcondra, Dublin. He is described as a Bank Official.

On 31st January 1918, whilst in Grafton Street, Robertson volunteered and enlisted into the Dublin University Officer Training Corps (OTC) as a Cadet. He was discharged from the forces on 23rd September 1918.

Following his discharge, he re-joined the Northern Bank on 21st October 1918 at Ball’s Branch. Transfers followed to Grafton Street (1919 - sub manager), Boyle (1925 -  manager), Southern (1927 - manager) and Ball’s Branch (1928 - manager).

George Robertson retired from the bank on 30th April 1946 and died on 21st July 1954.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Summer 1986)’ contains a photograph of Robertson in a 1936 Northern Bank Staff Golf outing.

Morrow, Lewis Hamilton

Private Lewis Hamilton Morrow

Morrow was born at 'Glenavon', Ballydologhan (?), Lisburn on 2nd January 1891 to John Morrow, Farmer and Annie Morrow nee Swaney. The birth registration only states Lewis Morrow.

In 1901, Morrow (10) is living in house 5, Upper Crescent, Belfast with his parents and 7 siblings; Elizabeth (19), Margaret (13), Sarah (17), Annie (21), Robert (23), Thomas (25) and John (15). A servant, Catherine Mills is also living in the house. John Morrow is now recorded as a Shipping Agent.

Morrow joined Northern Bank on 20th July 1908 at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers follow with Ballymena (1908 - Junior), Head Office (1909 - Junior), Armagh (1909 - Junior) and Clones (1911 - Junior).  

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

Northern Bank, Armagh branch

Northern Bank, Clones branch

By 1911, Morrow is boarding in house 39, Whitehall, Clones Upper, Co. Monaghan with the Wiggins family. He is recorded as a Bank Clerk and now has the additional first name of Hamilton. 

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, a Lewis Morrow signed the Ulster Covenant at Clones Orange Hall.

Morrow volunteered and enlisted into the Public School Corps, 9th Bn. Royal Fusiliers with Service Number PS/6056 on 11th January 1915. His address on the army form is recorded as Holmside, (Belmont), Strandtown, Belfast.

L H Morrow, Service Record (page 1 of 6 held)

L H Morrow - Medal Index Card

Morrow's first theatre of war is recorded as France and Flanders from 14th November 1915. He saw service at the Somme in 1916 (Beaumont-Hamel) and in Arras 1917. Lewis received 3 gunshot wounds in separate incidents injuring his knee, arm and face. He was later to be transferred to the 18th Bn. Royal Fusiliers.

Demobilisation came on 12th December 1917 when he was invalided out. Morrow was awarded the Silver War Badge (Number 287714) in respect of his injuries.

L H Hamilton - Silver War Badge

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

L H Morrow - Medal Rolls

Morrow was entitled to a pension as a result of his injuries. The card records 'blindness in left eye'.

L H Morrow - Pension Record Cards

Lewis Morrow married Isabella (Zella) Lockhart Tennant at Galway Presbyterian Church on 18th October 1920.

L H Morrow - Marriage Registration

Their wedding was later reported in the Irish Society (Dublin) publication in their 'Fashionable Marriages' page of 25th December 1920.

Irish Society (Dublin) publication

Following demobilisation, Lewis re-joined the Bank at Head Office on 2nd January 1918. Transfers followed with Clones (1918 - Cashier), Head Office (1918 - Cashier), Portaferry (1918 - Cashier), Newtownstewart (1920 - Manager), Ballynahinch (1926 - Manager), Raphoe (1930 - Manager), Irvinestown (1933 - Manager) and Randalstown (1940 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Clones branch

Northern Bank, Ballynahinch branch (3 storey building)

Northern Bank, Newtownstewart branch

Northern Bank, Randalstown branch

The 'Derry Journal' of 5th October 1931 reported in its Raphoe News column that:

Lewis Morrow retired from the bank on 30th November 1949.

This Pension Card (below) dated 11th April 1984 records Lewis Morrow as dying on 24th April 1978.

L H Morrow - Pension Card

Moore, William Robert

2nd Lieutenant William Robert Moore

 
Moore was born in Glengormley on 28th March 1890 to William Moore and Lily Moore. 

In 1901 Moore (11) was living in house 12, Chestnut Gardens, Clifton Ward, Belfast with his parents and sister, Susan Campbell Moore (14).

Moore joined Northern Bank on 2nd April 1906 at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

In 1911, Moore was living in house 23, Alliance Avenue, Clifton Ward, Belfast with his parents and sister. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. 

Transfers followed with Royal Avenue (1911 - Junior), Head Office (1914 - Junior), Southern (1914 - Cashier), Skerries (1915 - Cashier) and Grafton Street (1917 - Cashier).

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Northern Bank, Grafton Street branch, Dublin (tall chimney's)

Whilst in Grafton Street, aged 28, Moore volunteered and enlisted on 22nd April 1918 into the Dublin University Officer Training Corps (OTC) as a Cadet. He served with the 17th Officer Cadet Bn. at Rhyl, Cotford, Catterick before being gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Irish Fusiliers.

On 27th July 1918 William Moore, Cadet, OTC married Gladys Kathleen Irvine at Rathfarnham Church of Ireland. 

Following demobilisation in 1919, William re-joined the Northern Bank on 19th March 1919 at Grafton Street (Teller). Transfers followed to Ball’s Branch (1921 - Accountant), Kingscourt (1922 - Manager), Clones (1925 - Manager), Ballynafeigh (1931 - Manager) and Markets – Manager (1945 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Ball's branch, Dublin

Northern Bank, Clones branch

Northern Bank, Markets branch, Victoria Street, Belfast

 

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Summer 1986)’ contains a photograph of William Moore in a 1936 Northern Bank Staff Golf outing.

Jenkins, Thomas Richard

Lieutenant Thomas Richard Jenkins

Jenkins was born in Oldcastle on 5th December 1893 to Thomas F Jenkins, Clerk of Sessions and Mary E Jenkins nee O'Neill. They had married on 9th November 1887 at Loughcrew Church of Ireland, Oldcastle, Co. Meath.

In 1901, Jenkins (7) was living in house 94, Oldcastle, Co. Meath with his parents and 5 siblings, Freddie W (12), Ethel (11), John O (8), Albert V (5) and George A (4). An aunt, Frances Jenkins, a cousin, Ida Gillespie and 2 servants, John Sheridan and Mary Anne Garry were also present in the house.

By 1911, Jenkins was living in house 1, Rahaghy, Moylagh, Co. Meath with his mother, aunt, cousin and 4 siblings, Ethel, Albert Victor, George Arthur and Violet May. A servant, John McCormack was also present.

On 6th April 1911, Jenkins joined Northern Bank in Head Office.

Northern Bank Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed with Dromore (1911 - Junior), Bailieborough (1912 - Junior) and Ball’s Branch, Dublin (1914 - Junior).

Cheque drawn on Northern Bank, Dromore branch

Whilst he was working in Ball’s Branch on 22nd October 1914, Jenkins , aged 20, enlisted into the Royal Dublin Fusiliers as a Private with Service Number 15826. He was gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant in June 1917 and later promoted to Lieutenant in January 1919 with the Durham Light Infantry. 

His first theatre of war is recorded as the Balkans from 9th August 1915. This would have been the Gallipoli Campaign and the subsequent campaign against the Bulgarians in Salonika.

T R Jenkins - Medal Index Card

On 14th February 1919, Jenkins transferred to the Military Accountancy Department, India. 

Demobilisation came in December 1919. He was awarded the 1915 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Following demobilisation, Jenkins re-joined the Northern Bank on 21st January 1920 at Head Office. Transfers followed with Ball’s Branch (1920 - Accountant & then Paying Teller).

Thomas left the bank on 25th June 1926 and emigrated to Canada in 1927.

He died on 28th April 1951 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and is buried in the Mountainview Cemetery with his wife Emma.

Thomas Jenkins was commemorated in a Gallipoli Centenary event at the Northern Banking Company exhibit, Ulster Folk Museum, Cultra in April 2015.

Johnston, John

Corporal John Johnston

Johnston was born in Antrim according to the 1911 Irish Census record. Irish Genealogy website records 2 x John Johnston's born in Antrim in 1877.

Johnston joined the Northern Bank in 1904. 

In 1911, John Johnston (35) is living in house 14.2 Donegall Square West, St. Anne’s Ward, Belfast. He is described as a Bank Caretaker and is a widower. 

It is possible that Johnston was the caretaker at the time of the accident to the branch manager when W A Taylor fell down the lift shaft and was killed in 1910.

Northern Bank Company, Donegall Square

Johnston was based in Donegall Square when he enlisted into the 14th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles as a Private with Service Number 16355. He was later to serve with the 2nd Bn. Royal Munster Fusiliers (Service Number 1855) and the 2nd Bn. Royal Irish Regiment (Service Number 4275). His Medal Index Card gives his rank as Corporal.

John Johnston - Medal Index Card

Johnston saw action at the Somme 1916 (Thiepval), Messines 1917, Nieppe Forest, River Lys, Escaut 1918 and the Allied Advance 1918. He received 3 gunshot wounds in separate incidents. 

Demobilisation came in February 1919.

John Johnston was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

John Johnston - Medal Roll

Hunter, Arthur

Sergeant Arthur Patrick Hunter

Hunter was born at The Diamond, Ballycastle on 11th July 1881, the son of Robert Hunter, Publican and Margaret Ann Hunter nee McCotter. They had married on 6th March 1888 at Maghera Presbyterian Church.

Hunter joined Northern Bank in 1897.

In 1901, Hunter was boarding with the Moore family (Jane, Annie & Jeannie) in house 9, Lisburn Street, Hillsborough, Co. Down. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.  

By 1911, Hunter was living in house 67, Beechwood Avenue, Londonderry, Co. Londonderry with his wife, Mabel and son, William Kenneth (1). His occupation is recorded as a Bank Cashier. A nurse domestic servant, Margery Murray is also present in the house. 

Arthur may have been working in the Londonderry branch

Hunter was based in Head Office when he enlisted into the 8th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles with Service Number 8/14801 as a Private.  

Arthur Hunter - Medal Index Card

His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 5th October 1915. He transferred into the 16th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles & 13th Bn Royal Irish Rifles and was later promoted to Sergeant. 

Hunter saw action at the Somme 1916 (Thiepval), Messines 1917, Ypres 1917 and the German Retreat (Courtrai) 1918. He was injured and suffered a gunshot wound. Demobilisation came in February 1919. 

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

Arthur Hunter - Medal Roll