Introduction

Following the completion of extensive building works in the Northern Bank Head Office in Donegall Square West, the following important pieces of Northern Bank Heritage were re-installed in a new location on walls in the basement of the building:

The Great War & World War II – Roll of Honour / War Memorial – Belfast Banking Company & Northern Banking Company

These memorials, consisting of either bronze plaques or pictorial posters feature those officials from each bank who served, went missing in action, died or were killed in either of the two conflicts. 

For those who may be unaware of the history of each bank, the Belfast Bank & the Northern Bank merged in 1970. The Belfast Bank memorials were previously installed in their former Head Office in Waring Street prior to their removal and re-installation in the Donegall Square West building in 2000.   The Northern Bank memorials were re-installed at the same time. They had been in storage since their removal from the old Victoria Street Head Office. In 2000, Northern Bank took the opportunity to have the memorials re-dedicated by the Dean of Belfast, Dr Houston McKelvey at an event attended by war pensioners, officials and their families.

As it is many years since the memorials were in the public view, the opportunity is being taken now to catalogue the information thereon and make that information public.

In 1925, Northern Bank published a centenary volume (1824 to 1924) that listed in great detail the members of that Bank who had either served, went missing in action, died or were killed in the Great War. As very few volumes of that book are currently in existence, this information has effectively been out of the public gaze since then. 

For the deceased staff of each bank, further information has been retrieved from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) website. Great War data has also been enhanced by using information from the 1901 and 1911 Irish Census website and other free and subscription based on-line databases.

There have been many conflicts since the end of World War II; Northern Ireland, Iraq & Afghanistan to name a few. A number of Northern Bank staff have volunteered and have served in some of those locations. 

One official, who was in the forces, paid the supreme sacrifice and another two officials (civilian) were killed as a result of incidents during the Northern Ireland conflict.

Their names are no less important than those who fell during the World Wars.

Northern Bank – The Great War	99 officials volunteered for service
and	1 Reservist was called up for service
of which	11 were killed in action
	3 were reported missing
	1 died on active service   7 were rejected for military service
Belfast Bank – The Great War	93 officials volunteered for service
of which	16 were killed in action
	1 was accidently killed on active service
	1 was reported missing
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	8 were killed in action
Northern Bank – Northern Ireland	Many volunteered for service
of which	1 was killed whilst off-duty
and	2 civilian bank officials were killed
Northern Bank – Afghanistan	1 Territorial Army (TA) Reservist was called up for service

I trust that you will find the site both interesting and informative.

Thank you.

Gavin Bamford

Northern Banking Co. Limited - 1824 Centenary Volume 1924

This book provided the initial source material for the Northern Bank Great War records in this website.  It was compiled and written by Eric Darley Hill.

The following section of text is taken from page 203 of the Northern Bank Centenary Volume 1924 as it best describes those men who volunteered for war.

War Record

W

e have included in this volume a reproduction of the War Memorial, which hangs in the hall of the cash office at Head Office. A perusal of the record of those who served will, we feel confident, engender a feeling of pride in the part the officials of the Bank took in the operations of the Great War. Many banks have published separate war volumes recording the service of the members of their staffs. In the case of kindred institutions across the water the numbers of those who so served run into figures larger perhaps by comparison than those we shew. But it must be remembered that, with very few exceptions, every man who went from an Irish bank was a volunteer. In the case of the Northern Bank there was but one such exception – William Pattenden, Head Office porter, a reservist of the Royal Sussex Regiment. He was called up on the outbreak of war and went with the British Expeditionary Force, only to fall a few days after landing – the first casualty we had to record. Ninety-nine officials in all, or 25 per cent. of staff, volunteered; seven of the number were rejected on medical examination, and, of the remainder, fifteen made the supreme sacrifice. We honour the names of those who volunteered, and, we hold in reverence the memory of those who fell, - many, alas, of whom were but lads on the threshold of life.

My personal copy was originally presented with compliments to 'Mrs E R Wisnom' (hand-written). Others have a branch name in them or have been left blank. A few books come on sale in auctions or bookshops. Many have been defaced with the colour prints removed and framed. As of 2013 the bank still held unissued, mint copies in their archives.

Archibald, Robert Richmond

Colour Sergeant Robert Richmond Archibald

Archibald was born at 1 East Wall, Londonderry on 23rd July 1890 to Lowry B Archibald, Commission Tea and Tobacco Agent and Margaret L Archibald nee Smith. Lowry died on 20th October 1928. 

In 1901 Archibald lived in house 20, Donnybrewer, Eglinton, Co. Londonderry with his parents and 6 siblings; M L, David, M A G, Elizabeth, John S and James B. His uncle John Archibald, Agnes J McCay (a visitor) and Bridget Grant (servant) were also present in the house.

Archibald joined Northern Bank on 14th July 1909. The next day saw him start in Limavady branch. and then Coleraine in 1911.

Northern Bank, Coleraine branch

By 1911 Archibald (20) was living in house 15, Donnybrewer, Eglinton, Co. Londonderry with his parents and 4 siblings; Margaret L (31), David (29), Elizabeth (24) and James B (16). His uncle John Archibald and a servant Mary Gallagher are also living in the house. Robert is described as a Bank Clerk. 

A further transfer in 1912 took him to Irvinestown branch as Accountant.

Cheque drawn on Northern Bank, Irvinestown branch

Whilst in Irvinestown branch, Archibald volunteered and enlisted on 14th October 1914 as a Private into the 11th Bn. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers aged 24 with Service Number 14243. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 4th October 1915. He is recorded as a Lance Corporal on the 1915 Star Medal Roll.

R R Archibald - Medal Index Card

The Belfast News Letter dated 12th September 1914 records R R Archibald as donating 10/- to the Prince of Wales National Relief Fund.

Belfast News Letter, 12th September 1914

Archibald progressed through the ranks (Lance Corporal, October 1914; Sergeant and Acting Quarter Master Sergeant, October 1915; Colour Sergeant, 1917). He saw action at Somme 1916 (Thiepval), Messines 1917; Ypres 1917 (Langemarck); Cambrai 1917; St Quentin 1918 and the Allied Advance 1918.  

Archibald was demobilised in April 1919 and was awarded the 1915 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. 

Medal Roll - R R Archibald

Medal Roll - R R Archibald

Demobilisation came on 15th March 1919 when he was transferred to 'Z' Class Reserve.

Archibald re-joined the Northern Bank on 13th May 1919 when he was posted to Ball’s branch as a Ledger Clerk. In 1923 he was appointed as Securities Clerk.

Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

In December 1935, Archibald was transferred to Head Office, Stocks and Coupon Department. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Robert Archibald died in service on 27th January 1949 aged 58.

The PRONI Wills database records "Archibald Robert Richmond of 42 Galwally Park Belfast bank official died 27 January 1949 at 1 College Park East Belfast Probate Belfast 2 May to James Berkley Archibald manufacturer's agent. Effects £2955 2s. 7d.".

Millikin, William Hamilton Graham

Trooper William Hamilton Graham Millikin (or Milliken)

Millikin was born on 18th February 1897 at Irvinestown to James Millikin, bank cashier and Alicia Margaret (also Celicia or Alina) Millikin nee McGee. James and Alicia had married in St. George's Church, Carrick-on-Shannon on 17th February 1894. James is recorded as being a cashier in the Northern Banking Company. His father, William's grandfather is recorded as a 'gentleman' on the Marriage Registration document.

The Marriage Registration document, Birth Registration documents and the Northern Bank staff ledger record the family surname as Millikin. A family member (below) says it should be Milliken.

The 1901 Irish Census records James, Alicia and a daughter (Elizabeth) Marion (aged 2) as living in house 21, Drumharvey, Co. Tyrone. A servant, Mary Jane Harvey is also present in the house. William was not recorded for this address although he would have been aged 4. There is no indication as to his whereabouts. 

In 1911 the family lived in house 13, Marsden Gardens, Clifton Ward, Belfast. William is living with his parents and 3 siblings, Elizabeth Marion (16), Marion Cameron (12) and Kathleen (11).  

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, James Millikin of 25 Marsden Gardens signed the Ulster Covenant at the Old Town Hall, Victoria Street, Belfast. 

On 16th March 1914, Millikin joined Northern Bank in Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Whilst based in Head Office, aged 18, Millikin volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse as a Trooper (Private) with Service Number 1720. He embarked for France between 1916 and the first half of 1917, where he was posted to one of the squadrons of the 1st or 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment.  

In September 1917 the 2nd NIH Regiment was disbanded and most of its men, together with some surplus to the needs of the 1st NIH Regiment, were retrained as infantrymen before being transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion, (Princess Victoria's) Royal Irish Fusiliers – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion.  Millikin, like the majority, was transferred on 20 September. He was issued a new regimental number – 41443.

Millikin was reported as having been wounded in the War Office Daily Casualty Lists of 23 May and 12 September 1918, though the dates and circumstances are not known at present. His wounding did not affect his service as he was demobilised in December 1918.  

Some of Millikin's service information has come from the excellent research of this North Irish Horse website.

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

Wm H G Millikin - Medal Index Card 

Wm H G Millikin - Medal Roll 

Following demobilisation, Millikin re-joined the Northern Bank on 15th January 1919 at Royal Avenue branch.

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

A transfer followed to Ballinamore branch on 13th October 1920 where he was appointed as a Cashier.

Northern Bank, Ballinamore branch

Donegall Square was his next transfer on 9th September 1922.

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

A transfer to Head Office followed on 19th March 1923 when he was placed on Relief Staff followed by Crumlin Road on 1st April 1924 as a Cashier. Knock sub-branch was next on 1st October 1930 as Sub-Manager and then Pro-Manager.

Northern Bank, Knock branch

In September 1929 Millikin married a Miss G M Young of Hull. She later passed away on 27th July 1933.

Millikin left Knock for Irvinestown branch in September 1932. His move was recorded in the Bank Transfers section in the Belfast News Letter dated 21st September 1932. 

Extract from Belfast News Letter dated 21st September 1932

Shaftesbury Square branch was next on 13th September 1933.

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square, Belfast

In March 1935 Millikin married a Miss D H Young of Hull.

Falls branch was next on 8th July 1936 as Cashier.

Northern Bank, Falls branch, Divis Street, Belfast

On 24th September 1937 Millikin was transferred to Lisburn branch as Sub-Manager.

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch

June 1941 saw his promotion as Manager in Shankill Road branch.

Northern Bank, Shankill Road, Belfast branch

Millikin  was transferred back to Irvinestown branch as Manager on 23rd March 1945. 

Millikin, like many of his colleagues was a member of the IBOA (Irish Bank Officials' Association). He had risen through the organisation to be it's Vice-President as evidenced in this Belfast Telegraph article dated 15th December 1950 reported that the IBOA

Belfast Telegraph dated 15th December 1950 - IBOA - Wm H G Milliken

A family member (below) advises that Millikin later became Manager in Lurgan branch.

Northern Bank, Lurgan branch 

William Millikin appears in this link to a 1951 Golf Outing. It was a comment on this photograph that prompted this update to William's biography.

"My wife’s grandparents are in that photo, she wondered who Mrs W H G was until we realised the formality of the day which gave the husband’s initials to his wife.  Pity they couldn’t spell correctly - the surname was Milliken!  He was manager in Lurgan where "__" went on to serve in for many years.  Her parents wedding reception was held on the first floor of the branch in the same year!"

Northern Bank Golf Outing - May 1951

McCunn, Thomas

Driver Thomas J McCunn Junior

McCunn was born on 16th May 1898 and was the son of Thomas McCunn (dairy farmer) and Annie McCunn nee Cherry. They had married on 15th January 1889 and registered in Limavady district.

In 1901 McCunn (1) was living in house 3, Tamlaught, Fruithill, Londonderry with his parents and 3 older siblings, John (9), Samuel (6)(see bottom of page) and Annie Mary (3).

In 1911 the family have expanded and moved to house no 7, Myroe Level, Myroe, Co. Londonderry. There are now the parents, a grandfather and seven children living in the house. The additional children are Margaret Jane (7), Robert James (4) and Joseph (2). The grandfather is Adam McCunn (retired farmer).

McCunn joined Northern Bank in 1915 at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

McCunn volunteered and enlisted into the Army Service Corps (ASC) – Mechanical Transport with Service Number M/345384. Later he was attached to the 59th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. 

McCunn died (of pneumonia) on active service on 21st April 1918 and is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.

He was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. His Medal Index Card records 2 addresses; Oyster Vale, Myroe, Co. Derry and William Horner, Solicitors, Limavady, Co. Londonderry.

Thomas McCunn - Medal Index Card 

Thomas McCunn - Medal Roll

CWGC Headstone - Thomas McCunn

Thomas McCunn (Senior) died on 18th April 1919. His headstone in Tamlaghtfinlagan Churchyard, Ballykelly has the following names:

• Thomas McCunn 1898-1918
• Thomas McCunn 1863-1919
• Joseph McCunn d 1932
• Anna McCunn 1889-1935
• John McCunn d 1964
• Lydia Stevenson d 1972

Homes for Heroes NI (1921-1939) by Nigel Henderson writes about Samuel McCunn who was awarded a 'Home for Heroes' on Seacoast Road, Limavady.  

Thomas McCunn's elder brother:

Samuel McCunn, the occupant in 1932, was born on 21st May 1894 at Claggan in Tamlaght Finlagan to Thomas McCunn, a farmer, and Annie McCunn (nee Cherry). Samuel McCunn enlisted with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was deployed to France with 10th Battalion in October 1915. He was transferred to the Class Z Army Reserve on 15th Mary 1919. Samuel McCunn was living at Ballarena when he married Hester Stevenson on 21st November 1921 at Tamlaghtard Parish Church. He died on 2nd October 1961, aged 67, and Hester McCunn died in January 1982 at Lisnakilly.

I understand that a Hester McCunn still lives in the cottage.

Patterson, William

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street

William Patterson

Patterson was born on 4th November 1868 to George Patterson and Elizabeth Patterson nee Lennox.

Patterson would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1890 / 1895. The Staff Guarantee ledger records William Patterson, Solicitor, Belfast as having the guarantee signed by John Lennox (Holywood, Gentleman) and James Lennox (Holywood, Builder).

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

In 1901, a Solicitor (aged 32 and single) named William Patterson was living in house 12, Lennox Place, Holywood. William was living with Elizabeth Patterson (71), presumably his mother and two women, a niece of Elizabeth, Alicia Latimer and a sister of Elizabeth, Mary Latimer.

In 1910, this website records a William Patterson, solicitor living in Stewart's Place, Holywood.

In 1911, a Solicitor (aged 42 and single) named William Patterson was living in house 31, High Street, Holywood. William was still living with Elizabeth Patterson (82), presumably his mother.

The Holywood, Lennox and Solicitor connections tie in with other information held by the writer.

Patterson volunteered and enlisted into the army.

He was reported missing (date unknown).

The website In Flanders Field report the following instances of the name William Patterson with their 'deceased' date in the first column:

01/07/1916	LISBURN, CO. ANTRIM	11TH ROYAL IRISH RIFLES
01/07/1916	HILLSBOROUGH, CO. DOWN	9TH ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS
09/08/1916	BALLYMACARRETT, CO. DOWN	ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS, 1ST BATT
08/09/1916	ELPHINSTONE, MIDLOTHIAN	ROYAL MUNSTER FUSILIERS, 1ST BATT.
07/06/1917	DROMORE, CO. DOWN	10TH ROYAL IRISH RIFLES
21/03/1918	BALLYMACARRETT, BELFAST	ROYAL IRISH RIFLES, 1ST BATT.

Unfortunately there is still not enough information to identify the correct soldier.