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.
