Spence, Arthur Leonard

Squadron Leader Arthur Leonard Spence DFC (known as Artie)

Spence was born in Donegal at 19:05 hrs on 25th February 1908, a twin to his elder brother by 6 minutes, Herbert Campbell Spence. Arthur was the son of Andrew Spence, Secretary of a Railway Company [Londonderry & Lough Swilly Railway] and Lily Spence nee Wheeler.  

A wider family member has advised that he was known as Artie.

In 1911 Spence (3) was living in house 7, Figary, Fahan, Co. Donegal with his parents and 7 siblings; Dorothy Gertrude (11), Stuart Andrew (10), Kathleen Lilian (8), Muriel Constance (6), Edith Helena (4), Herbert Campbell (3) and John Walter (1). A governess, Marguerite Bumesnil (or servant aged 14) and a servant Mary Rodden were also staying in the house.

On 1st September 1925 Spence joined Northern Bank at Head Office. His address at that time was recorded by the bank as 4 Queen Street, Londonderry.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Londonderry (1925 - Junior), Head Office (1931 - Exchange), Carrickfergus (1933 - Junior) and Head Office (1937 - Relief Staff).  

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

On 2nd May 1939 Spence volunteered and enlisted into the RAF Volunteer Reserve. He was ‘Called up on Active Service’ on 2nd September 1939 with Service Number 81694. 

He returned to work from 5th October 1939 to 26th October 1939, reason unknown.

His rank and promotions were Leading Aircraftman, Pilot Officer, Flying Officer, Flight Lieutenant (1941) and Squadron Leader followed in 1943. 

Spence was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1941 gazetted on 23rd September 1941.

London Gazette, 23rd September 1941 - Acting F/L A L Spence

The news of his award was syndicated amongst local newspapers:

Belfast Telegraph, 20th September 1940

Belfast News Letter, 20th September 1940

Londonderry Sentinel, 23rd September 1940

Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 27th September 1940

On 14th March 1942 the Belfast Newsletter reported that the marriage of A L Spence to Alice Madeleine Irwin will take place in April at St Peters Church, Belfast. The wedding took place on 29th April 1942 and was reported in the Belfast Telegraph of the same date.

Belfast Telegraph 29th April 1942

Val Kerr, a family member posted this cartoon on the Facebook page:

On 19th November 1945 Spence resumed duty with the Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Royal Avenue (1948 - Teller), Knock (1951 - Cashier), Head Office (1951 - Interim Manager), Lurgan (1958 - Manager), Head Office (1954 - Manager), Queen’s Square (1967 - Manager) and Dublin Regional Director (1971). 

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Northern Bank, Lurgan branch

A 'Welcome Home' dinner was held on 29th April 1947 by members of the CIYMS at Clarence Place Hall, Belfast.

Belfast Telegraph - 29th April 1947

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Spring 1971)’ contains a Profile and photograph (above) of Artie Spence. 

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link’ (Spring 1973) records Artie Spence as retiring as Dublin Regional Director on 28th February 1973. 

Squadron Leader Arthur Spence DFC RAF(VR) died on 18th January 1981.

McKitrick, Roderick Alexander

Squadron Leader Roderick Alexander McKitrick DFC (later Colonel)

McKitrick was the son of George Evelyn McKitrick (born at 4 Kinnaird Street, Belfast on 2nd August 1879) and educated at Campbell College, Lower VI in 1895.

 
In 1901,McKitrick (21, Bank Clerk & was later to be Roderick's father) lived in house 122.1 Duncairn Street, Belfast with his parents and 3 siblings; Mary (29), Ethel (18) and Mary (16).

By 1911 McKitrick is living in house 53, Antrim Road, Belfast with his parents and sister, Ann. George is described as a Bank Clerk and works for the Belfast Bank in Head Office.

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Belfast

Roderick A McKitrick was born on 14th March 1922 to George McKitrick and ? McKitrick nee Woods. His birth was registered in Larne. Roderick followed his father into the Belfast Banking Company after passing his bank entrance examination as reported in the Northern Whig of 29th April 1938:

It is interesting to note that Messrs Charlton, Connor and Stutt also volunteered and enlisted into the services during World War 2.

McKitrick volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Artillery as a Gunner. In 1941 he transferred to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve with Service Number: 149126 and promotions are recorded as:

• 14th May 1943 - Pilot Officer (on probation)
• 14th November 1943 - Flying Officer (on probation)
• 14th May 1945 - Squadron Leader

McKitrick flew with No. 44 and No. 138 Squadrons. With No. 138 Squadron he was involved in dropping of Secret Agents in SOE operations. During Operation Draughts & Backgammon with Short Stirling Mk IV NF-J, LK200 in the night of 8th/9th September 1944, the plane hit the cable of a barrage balloon at 02.50 hours over Texel, the Netherlands and crashed.

 
Of the crew Flying Officer Thomas Roger Court, Flying Officer John Hulme and Flying Officer George Evans Fletcher Walton died in the crash. They later were buried at the cemetery at Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands.

 
Squadron Leader G.M. Rothwell, Flying Officer McKitrick, Pilot Officer Shaw and Flight Sergeant R.W. Wilmott were taken prisoner. Roderick Alexander McKitrick was imprisoned at POW camp L1 (Staluft 4B/L1) at Barth together with Rothwell and Shaw.

R A McKitrick - Prisoner of War (POW) Record

Flying Officer McKitrick was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) on 23rd May 1944 (published without citation).

The website, harringtonmuseum.org.uk records McKitrick's plane crash over Holland. Similar detail as above.

The Western Morning News of 10th January 1945 reports that R A McKitrick is 'missing':

Following demobilisation, it is not clear if McKitrick returned to employment in the Belfast Banking Company.

 
However, the London Gazette continue the reporting of a R A McKitrick DFC as follows:

• 28th July 1953 commission relinquished, Flight Lieutenant on transfer to Army
• 25th September 1953 promotion from Lieutenant to Captain with Officer Number 429994 Royal Army Education Corps (seniority back to 1950).
• 25th December 1953 seniority as Lieutenant (back to 4th May 1945).
• 1st November 1957 promotion to Major (4th November 1957).
• 27th January 1967 promotion to Lieutenant Colonel (31st December 1966).
• 8th January 1974 promotion to Colonel (back to 30th June 1973) - from R.A.E.C.

Roderick McKitrick died aged 92 on 24th April 2014 at Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Rainey, William Alexander

Squadron Leader William Alexander Rainey DFC (known as Bill)

Rainey was born at Bushmills on 15th December 1910 to John Alexander Rainey, Cycle Maker and Jane Rainey nee McBride. They had married at Bushmills on 26th August 1908.

Rainey joined the Belfast Banking Company. Mrs Jane Rainey (mother) and John Rainey (brother) signed his Bankers Guarantee.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

 
The London Gazette (1943) records a W A Rainey with Service Number 123607. Bill served in the RAF and attained the rank of Squadron Leader and as a Bomber Pilot he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. His citation reads:

"This officer has consistently displayed the utmost courage, fortitude and devotion to duty in many hazardous operations against enemy targets by day and night."

Distinguished Flying Cross

Following demobilisation, Rainey returned to Ballymena.

The Belfast Telegraph of 13th May 1949 reports that W A Rainey passed his Final examinations of the Institution of Bankers in Ireland.

His community service was recognised in 1960 when he was made a Justice of the Peace (JP) for County Antrim. He also holds the Gold Badge, the highest award of the RAF Association for outstanding service.

Rainey is recorded in the 1956 and 1966 annual accounts of the Belfast Banking Company as being manager of Ballymena branch.

Former Belfast Bank, Ballymena branch

In sport, Rainey has represented Ulster in tennis and hockey and he was a single handicap golfer at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

He holds the Diploma of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland.

 
The Staff Magazine ‘The Link of Summer 1970 and Summer 1974 contain photographs of Bill.

Rainey died on 10th July 1978 and is buried in Ballyclug Churchyard, Ballymena. The cremated remains of his son, Christopher Alexander Rainey (1936 to 1988) have also been placed in the grave.