Wilgar, William James

Lieutenant William James Wilgar 

Wilgar was born at Ballylesson on 8th February 1892 to John Wilgar (Bank Clerk, Northern Bank and Farmer) and Jane Wilgar nee Clarke. They were married on 9th September 1880 at Castlereagh Presbyterian Church,

In 1901, Wilgar (9) is living in house 52, Ballylesson, Breda Ward, Belfast with his parents and 4 sisters; Eveline (6), Rosanne (19), Jane Clark (17) & Marion Elizabeth (11). An aunt, Jane Wilgar and 2 servants; Martha Millar and Ellen White are also present.

On 14th July 1908 Wilgar joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Donegall Square (1909) and Head Office – Relief (1911). 

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

In 1911 Wilgar is living an house 11, Ballylesson, Breda, Belfast with his parents and 2 sisters; Marion Elizabeth and Eveline. An aunt, Jane Wilgar is also in the house.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Wilgar signed the Ulster Covenant at Drumbo. 

On 25th February 1915, whilst on Relief Staff, Wilgar volunteered and enlisted into the 11th Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at the age of 23.  

He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and transferred into the Machine-Gun Corps. Promotion to Lieutenant followed. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 12th March 1916.

Medal Index Card - W J Wilgar

Wilgar received one injury, a gunshot wound. The Belfast News Letter dated 30th August 1916 reported:

His address was reported as 'Fernlea', Lisburn Road, Belfast.

On 3rd September 1916 the Casualty List announced:

"Listed as "Wounded" on the Casualty List issued by the War Office. This man was entitled to wear a "Wound Stripe" as authorised under Army Order 204 of the 6th July 1916. The terms of this award being met by their naming in this list."

Wilgar saw service at the Somme 1916, Messines 1917, Ypres 1917 (Passchendaele), Cambrai 1917, Allied Retreat 1918 and the Allied Advance 1918.  

Demobilisation came in July 1919. He was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. 

Medal Roll - W J Wilgar

On 2nd September 1919 the London Gazette announced the awarding of the Belgian Croix de Guerre to Temp Lt Wm J Wilgar:

"Gazette No. 31537. Croix de Guerre. The following are among the Decorations and Medals awarded by the Allied Powers and various dates to the British Forces for distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign. His Majesty the King has given unrestricted permission in all cases to wear the Decorations and Medals in question. Decorations Conferred by, His Majesty the King of the Belgians."

Following his demobilisation, Wilgar re-joined the Northern Bank on 16th July 1919 at Grafton Street, Dublin as a Junior before being promoted to Teller.

Northern Bank, Grafton Street branch, Dublin

Further transfers followed to Antrim (1929 - Manager), Letterkenny (1937 - Manager) and Ballycastle (1943 - Manager). 

Northern Bank, Antrim branch

In 1929 Wilgar was elected as Treasurer of Antrim Royal British Legion.

Northern Bank, Ballycastle branch

William Wilgar retired on 31st December 1953. He was a member of Lisnagarvey Hockey Club.

W J Wilgar of Northern Bank, Antrim is reported as being the Secretary of Masserene Golf Club in 1935 (The Ulster Tourist Development Association Ltd). 

The family were members of Malone Presbyterian Church. His name is recorded on the church War Memorial and on their Roll of Honour.

He died on 13th October 1968 leaving a widow Ann Isobel Wilgar (nee Miller).

W J Wilgar is buried in Drumbo Presbyterian Church Graveyard. He is also remembered on the church War Memorial.

Headstone on the grave of W J Wilgar at Ballylesson Graveyard

MacGregor, Robert Peddle

[Newspaper cutting courtesy of Great War Ulster Newspaper Archive]

Acting Captain Robert Peddle MacGregor MC

MacGregor was born at Ann Street, Greenock, Scotland on 1st March 1884 to Gregor Guthrie MacGregor, Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist and Helen Wright MacGregor nee ??. Their surname is recorded as McGregor. They were married in Greenock on 26th January 1882.

In 1901 MacGregor (17) was living in 38 South Street, Greenock with his parents and 7 siblings; Alice W (16), Donald (13), Grace P (11), Helen C (8), Barbara P (6) Catherine (4) and Gregor Guthrie (1). Robert's occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. Their surname is recorded as McGregor.

On 7th September 1903, MacGregor joined Northern Bank at Head Office giving his address as the Post Office, Lisburn.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

Gregor Guthrie MacGregor, 45, died at Railway Street, Lisburn on 24th April 1905.

In 1911, MacGregor is living in house 25, Antrim Road, Lisburn, Co. Antrim with his widowed mother Helen, 7 siblings and a visitor and a visitor, Agnes Wilson. Their surname is recorded as McGregor. Robert's occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

He was a member of Lisnagarvey Hockey Club.

Transfers followed to Head Office (1913 - Relief) and Donegall Square (1913 - Ledgers).

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

MacGregor , aged 31, entered the Queen's University Officer Training Corps (OTC) and from there, volunteered and enlisted into the 14th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles on 6th March 1915 with Service Number 14/18292. He later served with both the 19th Bn. and the 9th Bn. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 5th October 1915.

R P MacGregor - Medal Index Card

MacGregor was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, then to Lieutenant in June 1916 and to Acting Captain in October 1916.

The Belfast News Letter of 13th November 1916 reports:

The Belfast News Letter of 27th November 1916 reports:

MacGregor saw action at Messines on 7th June 1917.

The Belfast News Letter of 11th June 1917 reports:

MacGregor married a Miss Florence Irene Thompson on 26th March 1919 at The Methodist Centenary Church, Dublin.

MacGregor was injured and suffered a gunshot wound to the neck, shoulder and left lung.  MacGregor was invalided out in April 1919.  The Belfast News Letter of 5th April 1919 reports:



The London Gazette of 1st April 1919 reports McGregor (sp) relinquishing his commission on grounds of ill-health caused by wounds, 4th April 1919 and retains the rank of Lieutenant.

In addition to the Military Cross (MC), MacGregor was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Following demobilisation, MacGregor obtained a position in the Ministry of Labour on 1st April 1919.

On 1st May 1920, he re-joined the Bank in the Coupon Department. Transfers followed with Royal Avenue (1921 - Sub-Manager), Head Office (1927), Shaftesbury Square (1929 - Manager) and Head Office (1934 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch

MacGregor was personally given a copy of E D Hill's 1925 Centenary volume of Northern Banking Company Limited.

Northern Bank Centenary Volume 1824 to 1924

The Belfast Telegraph of 1st April 1944 reported on the funeral to Lisburn Cemetery of Mr Gregor G MacGregor, brother of Robert, who had died in Lisburn a few days previously.

The Belfast Telegraph of 20th January 1945 reports on the 'standing-down dinner' of the Ulster Home Guard. Capt R P MacGregor MC (O.C. of 'B' Company).

On 1st February 1945 he was appointed as a Director of Northern Bank.

The Northern Whig of 21st May 1947 published a photograph of him at a British Legion presentation:

He retired from the bank on 29th June 1957.

The Belfast Telegraph of 26th August 1959 reported on the wedding of their son, Robert Malcolm Duffield MacGregor at McCracken Memorial Church, Belfast.

Here is his signature on a Northern Bank, Connswater branch 'Red Cross' account cheque from 1963:

[Image courtesy of an eBay advertisement]

Robert MacGregor died circa 1970/71.

He is also remembered on a memorial in Railway Street Presbyterian Church. Also remembered is his brother Cadet G G MacGregor (known as Gregor).

Goldsmith, Sydney Mansfield

Wing Commander Sydney Mansfield Goldsmith

Goldsmith was born at High Street, Ballynahinch on 27th February 1897 to Sydney Howard Goldsmith, Bank Clerk and Mary Goldsmith nee Mulligan. They were married on 9th October 1888 at St. Anne's Church of Ireland with his occupation recorded as a Clerk. His father, Oliver Goldsmith was a Clerk in Holy Orders.

In 1901 Goldsmith (4) is living in house 3, Ballynahinch Street, Hillsborough with his parents and 4 siblings; William A L (10), Mary E (8), Oliver L (2) and Noel (0). House 3 is recorded on the census return as a 'private' dwelling and may have been the 'bank house'. The father is described as a Bank Manager [of Northern Bank, Hillsborough]. Later newspaper reports Mr S H Goldsmith as a retired bank manager, Holywood and a 'hand-writing expert'.

Sydney Goldsmith Senior was the owner of one of the first cars to be registered in County Antrim:

County Antrim Car or Bicycle Registrations

By 1911 Goldsmith is living in house 7, Ballynahinch Street, Hillsborough with his parents and siblings. A visitor, Frederick Wilfred Seymour and a servant, Mary Kate Meehan are also present in the property. The father's occupation is a Bank Manager and a sibling, William Arthur Loftus Goldsmith (20 - see photo at end) is described as a Bank Clerk. The buildings return confirms the house as Northern Bank House, Hillsborough.

Northern Bank House and branch, Hillsborough

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Goldsmith's mother (M) and sister (M E) signed the Women’s Ulster Declaration (Covenant) at Hillsborough Court House.

Goldsmith was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (RBAI - Inst). He was also a member of Lisnagarvey Hockey Club.

Goldsmith joined Northern Bank in 1914 and worked in Dromore branch.

Northern Bank, Dromore branch

Goldsmith was based in Dromore branch when he volunteered and enlisted into the 19th Battalion Royal Fusiliers with Service Number PS/6331. His first theatre of ware is recorded as France from 14th November 1915.  

S M Goldsmith - Medal Index Card

The Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette of 25th August 1916 reported on the remand of Sydney:

The Oxfordshire Weekly News of 6th September 1916 reported on his committal to trial:

The Oxfordshire Weekly News of 25th October 1916 reported on the trial and his acquittal:

The official court record:

Goldsmith was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 31st October 1916. He saw action in Arras 1917, Ypres 1917 and Cambrai 1917. 

The Belfast News Letter of 23rd April 1917 reports Goldsmith as serving with the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment) and receiving a wound in his right leg.

The bank staff record card records Goldsmith as leaving the bank on 3rd August 1917.

In late 1918, Goldsmith transferred to the Central Flying School, Upavon. In November 1918, he was promoted to Lieutenant.

Demobilisation came in May 1919. His war record documents describe this event as 'Trans(ferred) unemployed list 4/5/19'.

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

S M Goldsmith - Medal Roll (Depot, Royal Fusiliers)

S M Goldsmith - Medal Roll (Royal Fusiliers, subsequently commissioned)

As a result of his injury, a pension record card exists for him:

S M Goldsmith - Pension Record Card

On 16th July 1921, Goldsmith (24) married Miss Doris Mary Purdy at Christ Church, Epsom giving his address as Naval & Military Hotel, Kensington and his occupation as Bank Manager.

S M Goldsmith - Marriage Registration

An Ancestry family tree records the couple as having 3 children; Leslie Mary Goldsmith (1922 to 2010, Barry Mansfield Goldsmith (1929 to 2014) and an un-named child.

The 1939 Register (small census) records Sydney and Doris Goldsmith. The 1939 Register provides a snapshot of the civilian population of England and Wales just after the outbreak of the Second World War. 

1939 Register

The London Gazette records his career as 2nd Lieutenant (1916), Acting Pilot Officer – RAF with Service Number 76060 (1939), Pilot Officer (1940), Flight Lieutenant and Squadron Leader (1944). He relinquished his commission in 1954 and was permitted to retain the rank of Wing Commander. He may also have been awarded an OBE.

 
On 20th February 1945 a Canadian Patent was issued for an ‘Aircraft Pilot Training Apparatus’. The inventors are named as George Edmund Hill and S M Goldsmith.

His father died in 1947 and his mother in 1952.

Sydney Goldsmith died, aged 83 in January 1981 with the registration taking place in Rutland, Leicestershire. His wife, Doris pre-deceased him in 1959.

S M Goldsmith - Probate

(*) William Arthur Loftus Goldsmith photograph:

W A L Goldsmith