Bates, Arthur Henry

Major Arthur Henry Bates

Bates was born at 27 Upper Mount Street, Dublin on 17th October 1907 to Arthur Henry Bates, Kings Council and Mary Kyle Bates nee Knox. They had married at St Patrick's Church, Jordanstown on 3rd April 1900. Arthur is recorded as a Barrister. He had been studying law since about 1873. Mary Kyle was the daughter of R Kyle Knox who was a Northern Bank official who had served in the Great War.

In 1911 Bates (3) was living in house 27.2 Upper Mount Street, South Dock, Dublin with his mother and 3 siblings; Victor (10), Theodore (8), Phyllis Victor (6). An aunt, Margaret Jane Bates (72) and 3 servants; Mary Christie (28), Jane Fitzgerald (25) and Maggie Doran (21) were also present in the house.

Arthur Bates Senior was visiting house 3, Annadale Avenue, Belfast on Census Day 1911.

The Northern Whig of 10th May 1912 reported that Arthur (Senior)'s brother Edward Bates of St Columba, Knock, Belfast had left his estate to his brother and to Henry I Johns of the Belfast Banking Company.

Bates (Junior) joined Northern Bank on 15th September 1925 at Head Office (Relief). Transfers followed to Markets (1925 - Junior), Head Office (1926), Markets (1926) and Head Office (1928).

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Markets branch

Bates was transferred to the bank Solicitors Department in 1930.

The Belfast Telegraph of 19th May 1934 carries a report into a legal case where the Right Honourable Sir Dawson Bates and Arthur Henry Bates are the Plaintiffs. Arthur's brother Theodore Bates was killed in the accident.

Bates married a Miss Sylvia Pring on 8th September 1934 at Whiteabbey. This photograph appeared in the Belfast Telegraph of 10th September 1934:

Bates was reported in 1937 to be the Sub-Manager of the Stock Department of Northern bank.

The bank Staff Record card has an annotation that Arthur was allowed to apply for a commission in the army. Subsequently, on 21st August 1939, he was ‘Called up for Active Service’ and joined the 23rd Battery, Royal Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant with Service Number 87448. 

In 1940 he was promoted to Captain in the 8th Anti Aircraft Regiment. In 1941, he was to hold the rank of War Substantive Major.

Bates is recorded as serving with H M Gabbey (Belfast Banking Company).

On 12th November 1945, Arthur resumed duty in the Bank at Head Office with a transfer to Royal Avenue soon after.

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Bates resigned from the Bank in 1947 to join the firm of Messrs Josias Cunningham & Co as a partner.

Belfast Stock Exchange

In January 1974 Major Arthur Bates was appointed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland as the High Sherriff for County Antrim.

Bates continued (or joined) the Burma Star Association in 1985.

Burma Star Association - Major A H Bates

Also see the website of LennonWylie for the 8th Belfast HAA Sqn Royal Artillery.

https://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/8th_belfast_haa_regt_memorabilia1.htm

https://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/8th_belfast_haa_regt_RHQMemorialBrochure.htm

https://www.lennonwylie.co.uk/WW2DiaryWright1.htm

Major A H Bates died in 2001.

McCord, William George

William George McCord

McCord was born at Ballymacrevan, Glenavy on 17th May 1913 to George Richard McCord, Farmer and Lily Susan McCord nee Harrison. They had married at Magheragall on 2nd September 1907.

The Northern Whig of 19th April 1930 reports that he passed the Belfast Bank examinations held on 28th February 1930 in an advertisement for Hughes Academy.

McCord joined the Belfast Banking Company on 1st May 1931. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him and gave his address as Eglantine Cottage, Lisburn. He is recorded as working in Head Office.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

McCord married a Clara Abbott of Hillsborough on 7th October 1939.

He volunteered and enlisted into the Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery.

The 'Forces War Record' website records a William George McCord as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery and rising to be a Captain & Temporary Major in the School of Anti-Aircraft.

Following his return from War Service, McCord was transferred to Central branch on 1st December 1945. 

Belfast Bank, Central branch

The Northern Whig of 9th January 1948 reports that Clara nee Abbott, wife of W G McCord, Micdene, The Green, Dunmurry has given birth to a daughter on 2nd January 1948.

A William George McCord, born 17th May 1913 died around August 2003 aged 90 at Hastings and Rother, East Sussex.

Hanna, Alexander (Lex)

Captain Alexander Hanna (known as Lex)

Hanna was born at 17 University Street, Belfast on 15th December 1920 to Alexander Hanna, Traveller and Matilda Wallace Hanna nee Trotter. They had married on 26th April 1918 at St. Mary Magdalene Church of Ireland, Belfast. Their addresses were recorded as 9 Upper Crescent, Belfast and 17 University Street, Belfast.

9, 8 & 7 Upper Crescent, Belfast

On 1st May 1939 Hanna joined Northern Bank at Head Office. In 1940 he was transferred to Windsor branch as Junior.

Hanna joined the Territorial Army (Royal Regiment of Artillery) in 1938 and was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 21st May 1941. His unit was the 66th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. His rank and promotions as Lance Bombardier (unpaid), Lance Bombardier and Bombardier. Further promotion came when he was gazetted from a cadet to be a 2nd Lieutenant on 4th June 1943 with Service Number 278219.

Hanna was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the Italy Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal for service during WW2.

The picture above is of Hanna's actual miniature (dress) medal group (my thanks go to his daughter, Pauline for making them available).

See Medals awarded during WWII.

Medal Index Card

On 16th April 1948 Hanna was awarded a commission in the Territorial Army (TA). He was gazetted to be a Captain from 24th May 1948. Later he was placed on the TA Reserve of Officers on 21st May 1953.

On 7th October 1946 he resumed duty with the Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Ball’s Branch (1946), Head Office (1948), Ballymena (1948 - Assistant Accountant).

The Belfast News-Letter of 13th May 1949 reported Hanna as passing his Institute of Bankers in Ireland final examinations. This was later syndicated to the Belfast Telegraph and the Ballymena Weekly Telegraph.

Hanna was 2nd with an award of 5 guineas when he passed his Diploma in Foreign Exchange examinations as reported in the Belfast News-Letter of 28th April 1950.

Further transfers followed to Newtownbutler (1951 - Cashier), O’Connell Street (1955 - Pro-Manager in 1961), Head Office (1964), Keady (1966 - Manager) and Armagh (1969 - Manager).

Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Ball's branch, Upper O'Connell Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

Northern Bank, Keady branch

Hanna was transferred in 1969 as Manager to the Scotch Street, Armagh branch. He and his family resided in the managers accommodation above the branch. Whilst there he had been involved with the Combat Cancer Fund (mentioned in various death notices). He retired as Manager on 30th September 1983.

Northern Bank, Scotch Street, Armagh branch

The staff magazine 'The Link' recorded his retirement 'do' at the Carngrove Hotel.

Retirement party for Lex Hanna - 1983

Lex Hanna died on 14th June 2002.

Dolan, Francis William Temple

2nd Lieutenant Francis William Temple Dolan (Known as Tem)

Dolan was born at Helen's Bay on 23rd October 1911 to Francis Joseph Dolan, Butter Merchant and Marie Blanche Dolan nee Temple. They had married in the St Marylebone area of London at the end of 1908.

In April 1911, the Irish Census recorded that the family were living in house 100, Ballygrot, Bangor.  Francis and Blanche Dolan, daughters; Margaret Temple and Ellen Virginia, Emma Virginia Temple (mother-in-law), nurse Anne Kenny, servant Mary Ann McNair and cook Jane Cordner all resided in the house. Francis' (father) occupation is recorded as a Captain & Honorary Major, 9th Bn The Kings Liverpool Regiment. 

On 1st February 1933 Dolan joined Northern Bank at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Shankill Road (1933 - Junior), Falls Road (1935 - Junior) and Ballynafeigh (1939 - Junior).

Northern Bank, Shankill Road branch

Northern Bank, Falls branch, Divis Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Ballynafeigh branch, 2 South Parade, Belfast
(extended and now closed]

Dolan was granted permission by the Bank to join the 3rd Anti-Aircraft Brigade, Royal Artillery and finished Bank work on the evening of 14th October 1939. His initial rank was Gunner with later promotions to Lance Bombardier, Bombardier, Officer Cadet and 2nd Lieutenant by 1944. His address is recorded as 43 Adelaide Park, Belfast in the Nominal Rolls of the 23rd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery.

I W Bratty served in the same battery.

Following demobilisation, on 21st November 1945 Dolan resumed duty with Northern Bank at Head Office and then on Relief Staff in 1950. Transfers followed to Royal Avenue (1955 - Relief & then Control Clerk), Head Office (1957 - Teller No. 5), Royal Avenue (1960 - Teller & then Pro-Manager) and Dundonald (1971).

Northern Bank, 109-113 Royal Avenue branch

The main colour image (above) is of Dolan attending the 1974 Ex-Servicemen's Association dinner.

Dolan retired from Dundonald branch on 23rd October 1976.

Articles and photographs of Dolan are in the staff magazine ‘The Link’ of Winter 1976 and Spring 1977.

Tem Dolan died on 19th January 1977.

In 2016, retired Area Manager, David Keith wrote:

"Frank Dolan was on the relief staff in the mid 1950s as he did summer relief in Claudy where I entered in 1954. The cashier, Pat Nelson (dec'd) had been hit by a car when on holiday so Frank was with us for a number of months. His yarns about the war were very interesting and he was a great monarchist. I found him to be a real gentleman who enjoyed a joke but was very helpful to a young man like me starting my career in the bank."

Northern Bank, Claudy branch

A colleague of Francis Dolan (Tem) writes:

"Worked with Tem in Dundonald branch. Great character. In winter he used to wear his pyjamas bottoms underneath his suit trousers for warmth. When A R McIlrath - manager was on holidays there were no loans granted. Tem said, if I don’t lend I cannot get it wrong!!"

Bamford, George William Rea

G W Rea Bamford - 1940s

Major G W Rea Bamford - 1960

Lieutenant G W Rea Bamford - 1944

Belfast Bank - Roll of Honour - WW2

Major George William Rea Bamford TD

Bamford was born in 34 The Mount, Belfast on 6th February 1920 to George William Bamford, Linen Salesman and Margaret Bamford nee McGowan (of Whitespots, Newtownards) both of 75 The Mount, Belfast.

Bamford's father, George Bamford outside 75 The Mount, Belfast

Bamford was educated at Mountpottinger National School, Albertbridge Road, Belfast and later at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Inst).

Bamford's School Jotter

Bamford joined the Belfast Banking Company Limited in 1938. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and also supplied a letter to the bank on 30th May 1946.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

It is probable that Bamford worked in the East End branch from the start of his career up to his enlistment in the army.

Belfast Bank, East End branch (Albertbridge Road, Belfast)

On 10th October 1939 Bamford volunteered and enlisted at Clonaver Park, Belfast into the '3 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Company, Royal Army Service Corps (RASC)' [Territorial Army] as a Driver with Service Number T103793. On his attestation form, Bamford gave his date of birth as 6th February 1919 indicating he was 20 years old, not 19 as he really was. [The family are not sure why he did this as he was over the age permitted to enlist]. On that day, Bamford was 5' 5.5" tall and weighed 116 lbs.

Army Attestation Form (page 1) - G W R Bamford - 10/10/1939

As a soldier, Bamford served at 'home' from 10th October 1939 to 24th November 1939 before being posted 'overseas' to France until 19th June 1940. His time overseas lasted until 19th June 1940 when he was returned 'home'.

Bamford was promoted to Lance Corporal on 9th August 1941 and back to Driver on 27th December 1942 when he was transferred to 202 Officer Cadet Training Unit, RASC to train as an officer.

1941 WW2 Xmas Christmas Card (Courtesy eBay)

On 19th March 1943 Bamford was 'discharged' as a soldier having been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with Service Number 268452.

The Army 'Record of Service - Officers' form records Bamford's 'Actual DOB' as 6th February 1920 against a 'Declared DOB' of 6th February 1919. His civilian occupation is recorded as an Accountant, Belfast Banking Company.

As an officer, his training record during war included a Waterproofing Course of Vehicles at Salop (Shropshire), 1943; weapon training course at Altcar (Merseyside), 1943 and a 3" Mortar Course at East Africa, 1944.

Bamford was transferred to the Royal Ulster Rifles from the RASC on 14th June 1944 following his promotion to Lieutenant. He embarked overseas to East Africa and was posted to the 2nd Battalion North Rhodesia Regiment.

Bamford's overseas service is recorded on another army document as:

• France - 6th December 1939 to 18th June 1940
• East Africa - 16th July 1944
• S.E.A.C. - 8th June 1945 (possibly the South East African Command)
• East Africa - 17th January 1946

Bamford records his army service in pencil in his 'Officers Record of Service Army Book 439' in this picture:

'Officers Record of Service Army Book 439'

Bamford was discharged from the Royal Ulster Rifles on 12th April 1946 to his home address, 17 Cyprus Gardens, Belfast.

Belfast News Letter - 20th December 1946

Following the war, Bamford was awarded the Defence Medal, the War Medal, the 1939-45 Star and the Burma Star.

Medal Ribbon

Bamford with his father, George Bamford

After demobilisation in 1946, he returned to work for the Belfast Banking Company but also continued his army career in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), Territorial Army (TA).

Based on his wartime and TA service, Bamford was later awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD) and Bar.

Bamford worked in the following branches; East End (1946), Bangor (1947), Warrenpoint (1950), Markets (1952), North End (1953), Castle Place (1955) and Upper Newtownards Road (1960). Whilst based in this last branch, Bamford also worked as a Pro-Manager in the small sub-branch at Dundonald.

Belfast Bank, Bangor branch

Belfast Bank, Warrenpoint branch

Belfast Bank, Markets branch

Belfast Bank, Western branch (Shankill Road)

Belfast Bank, Castle Place branch (2nd from left)

Belfast Bank, Ballyhackamore branch (Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast)

Rea Bamford married Edith Malcomson on 7th September 1953 at Bloomfield Presbyterian Church, Belfast.  They had 3 children, Paul (1954), Gavin (1956) & Linda (1961).

He died on 28th December 1961 and was buried in Roselawn Cemetery and is remembered on a Roll of Honour in Bloomfield Presbyterian Church, Beersbridge Road, Belfast.

Photograph courtesy of Nigel Henderson

Medal Index Card

Service in the Territorial Army

Having been discharged from the army after the war, Bamford wanted to continue as an officer in the Territorial Army.  He applied for an 'Appointment to a Commission in the Territorial Army' on 15th March 1947.

Army form 

'Appointment to a Commission in the Territorial Army' (page 1) 

- G W R Bamford dated 15th March 1947

The Interview Board recommended Bamford for a TA commission at the rank of Lieutenant and to be posted to 931 (Ulster) Company RASC (TA).

The Army 'Record of Service - Officers' form records Bamford's TA career as follows:

• 1st September 1947 - Lieutenant
• 1st April 1948 - Captain
• 1st November 1952 - Acting Major
• 6th February 1954 - Major

Bamford attended his final Annual Camp  from 20th May to 5th June 1961. He died on 28th December 1961.

Other photographs from the collection of G W R Bamford are recorded here.

 Major G W Rea Bamford
[Front row, 4th from left, with possibly 931 (U) Company RASC (V)]