Coleman, William Desmond

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.

McCaghey, Harold Abraham

Flight Lieutenant Harold Abraham McCaghey (RCAF)

Harold McCaghey was a Northern Bank official (accountant) between the years of 1921 to 1930 and although he is not recorded on the Northern Bank War Memorial / Roll of Honour, he qualifies as a former official who served in WW2 with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

Part 15 Civil Employment record on H A McCaghey's
RCAF Officer's Application & Record Sheet

Sadly, McCaghey was to die by his own hand on 8th or 9th June 1942 at the Royal Alexander Hotel, Winnipeg, Canada. He was found dead in his room at 08:15 hrs on 9th June 1942. His Will was signed and dated 3rd January 1941 leaving all his estate to his wife Elva.

F/L H A McCaghey - CWGC Headstone

His wartime RCAF file consisting of 36 documents and photographs were kindly provided by Nigel Henderson, Researcher, History Hub Ulster who came across the Northern Bank connection on looking at the 8th page of the documentation.

The following biography of Harold McCaghey was written by Barry Niblock for his website 'The War Dead of North Down and Ards'.

The death of Flight Lieutenant Harold Abraham McCaghey (No. C/2076) was reported in the 20 June 1942 edition of the County Down Spectator under the headline Bangor Flying Officer’s Death.

Harold Abraham McCaghey was born on 10th June 1903 in Newry Road, Banbridge and he was the youngest son of William John McCaghey ISO MBE and Jean (Jeanie) McCaghey (nee Hunter) who, at the time of his death, were living at 5 Knockmore Park, Bangor. Before that, the McCaghey family lived at 7 Glenburn Park, Belfast and before that at 4 Mountainview Terrace, Banbridge. William John McCaghey and Jeannie Hunter were married on 5th August 1896 in Magherally Presbyterian Church, Banbridge.

William John McCaghey worked as a bookkeeper in a linen factory, later becoming an inspector of factories and then Chief Inspector of Factories for Northern Ireland. He and Jeannie had at least four children:

· Darwin Edward (born 30 May 1897 in Banbridge)
· James Hunter (born 4 January 1900 in Banbridge)
· Harold Abraham (born 10 June 1903 in Newry Road, Banbridge)
· Annie Margaret (born 8 November 1906 at Laurel Lodge, Glenburn Park, Belfast)

McCaghey was educated at Keighley Grammar School in Yorkshire and Methodist College, Belfast. On leaving school he worked for the Northern Bank in Dublin and Belfast. 

He had a fine baritone voice and won several singing competitions throughout Ireland. When living in Bangor he sang in the choir of First Bangor Presbyterian Church.

Belfast News-Letter, 3rd January 1929.
Mr Harold McCaghey, Baritone, Belfast Feis

Around 1932 McCaghey moved to Canada where he worked in Toronto and, some six years later, he married Elva May Shaver of Ancaster, Hamilton, Ontario. They had one daughter.

At the outbreak of hostilities McCaghey joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and he was stationed in Winnipeg, Ontario when he died on 9 June 1942. Elva May Shaver, who was born in 1904, died in 1993.

Flight Lieutenant Harold Abraham McCaghey (No. C/2076) was 38 when he died, and he was buried in the Shaver family plot in Ancaster (Bethesda United Church) Cemetery, Ontario, Canada. There is an inscription on his CWGC headstone:

BORN 10TH JUNE 1903

IN BANBRIDGE

NORTHERN IRELAND

Flight Lieutenant Harold Abraham McCaghey (No. C/2076) is commemorated on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial (Internet) and on Page 95 in the Canadian Second World War Book of Remembrance.

Jelly, Herbert Alexander

Private Herbert Alexander Jelly

Jelly was a Northern Bank official working in branches in 1911/12 and although he is not recorded on the Northern Bank War Memorial / Roll of Honour, he qualifies as a former official who served in the Great War.

Herbert Alexander Jelly was born on 17th October 1885 at 67 Glenalpin Street, Belfast to James Jelly (21),  Grocer, and Mary Jelly (18) nee Nicholson. They had married on 3rd June 1869 at Minterburn Presbyterian Church, Caledon, Co. Tyrone.

In 1901, Jelly (recorded as 14) was living at house 37, Lisburn Road, Belfast with his parents and 6 siblings; Agnes (26), James (24), Lizzie (21), Thomas (19), Minnie (17) and Ruby (9). A servant, Mary Ann Shea (35) was also living in the house.

Following his education, Jelly may have joined the Northern Bank around 1902/03.

In 1911, Jelly was working as a Bank Cashier in Fivemiletown. He was lodging in house 2, Fivemiletown with George Young, a Hotel Proprietor and Hardware Merchant. 

Fivemiletown branch in Danske Bank years

There are various newspaper reports (British Newspaper Archive) referencing Herbert Jelly although some may not be this Herbert Jelly. Jelly & Northern Bank references continued in 1911 & 1912.

• The Irish News and Belfast Morning News of 7th October 1911 reports on Jelly being involved in a court case re voters lists: 

• The Fermanagh Times of 19th October 1911 reported him as Captain of the local Fivemiletown team.  

It is not known if Jelly left the employment of the bank as the author does not have current access to the banks staff records of the period.

In mid 1912, Jelly was transferred from Fivemiletown to Newry branch. His hobbies appear to have been football and drama.

Newry branch

Jelly enlisted with the South Irish Horse with Service Number 2441, and and was posted to France after 1915. He was transferred to the 7th (South Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment with Service Number 25403 in September 1917. 

Herbert Jelly - Medal Index Card

He was taken prisoner at Reasey on 21st March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive and was held at Gustrow POW Camp in Northern Germany. 

H A Jelly - POW Record 1

H A Jelly - POW Record 2

H A Jelly - POW Record 3

Jelly died of gastroenteritis in a German military hospital on 14th September 1918, aged 32, and is buried in Le Cateau Military Cemetery in France. CWGC record him as the son of James Jelly, 81 Delhi Street, Belfast.

H A Jelly - CWGC Headstone

The Malone Presbyterian Church 'Memorial Organ' war memorial was unveiled on 8th October 1922. Jelly's name was read out at the service as one of the 'Fallen'. Two tablets recording the names of those who fell and those who served were added to the organ in 1925.

Malone Presbyterian Church - 'Memorial Organ'

Photo courtesy of John McCormick

Malone Presbyterian Church - 'Memorial Organ', 'Fallen' Panel 

Photo courtesy of John McCormick

His father was awarded a War Gratuity of £9 and ten shillings in September 1919, which equates to about £416 in current terms.

Herbert Jelly - Register of Soldiers' Effects

My thanks go to Nigel Henderson for identifying this man as a Northern Bank official and for part of the research and images. Thanks also to the 18th Regiment of Foot Royal Irish Regiment(& South Irish Horse)Association™ Facebook page.

Smyth, Robert - "Missing from the Roll of Honour"

Sergeant Robert Smyth

Smyth was born around 1876 (date and location not found) and was the son of George Rock Smyth and Elizabeth Smyth. His surname is sometimes recorded as Smythe.

Following his education, Smyth may have joined the Northern Banking Company around 1893 (about 17 years old).

In 1901, Smyth (25) was living in house 11, Cullybackey Road, Ballymena with his parents and 3 siblings; Lizzie Moore (23), Harriette (20) and George (29). Robert's occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. 

By 1911, the family address is now recorded as house 16, Cullybackey Road, Ballymena. Smyth is living with his parents and his 2 sisters. Again, Robert's occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk. Brother George is now living in house 2.1 Charlotte Street, Ballymoney with his wife and 3 young children aged 5 and under.

Smyth , aged 38, volunteered and enlisted at London on 16th July 1915 into the 1st Bn. Welsh Guards as a Guardsman with Service Number 1820. He would have been aged 40 at this time. His address is recorded as 'Woodbine Cottages', Ballymena.

R Smyth - Enlistment Papers 
(Occupation - Bank Official)

Robert Smythe - Medal Index Card

Smyth records that he served in France from 26th September 1916 to 15th April 1919 as a Corporal, Lance Sergeant and then a Sergeant. However, his 'first theatre of war' section on the Medal Index Card above has not been completed.

Robert Smyth - Military History Sheet

During his career in the army, Smyth was promoted from Guardsman (Gdsm) to::

• 2nd November 1915 - Appointed unpaid Lance Corporal - at London
• 14th March 1916 - Promoted Corporal and appointed T/Sgt - at Tower of London

Unfortunately, Robert had a few disciplinary actions taken against him:

• L/Cpl - 23rd November 1916 - 'Continual  (?) regulation' and 'severely reprimanded'
• L/Cpl - 30th November 1916 -  Gross neglect of duty' and 'deprived of lance stripe'
• T/Sgt - 14th October 1919 - 'Conduct to the prejudice etc' and sentenced to be 'reduced to the ranks' with '112 days detention'
• Gdsm - 3rd February 1920 - 'Discharged for misconduct'

According to the Medal Index Card, Smyth was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. His 'Military History Sheet' is annotated '1914/15 Star' in section 9 - Medals.

Following his demobilisation, Smyth applied for an Army Pension and completed the army document (below) known as a 'Statement By A Soldier Concerning His Own Case' [*] on 17th January 1920.  He stated that he had 'varicose veins and debility' and had also been treated in Ballymena Cottage Hospital for appendicitis.

In Section 7 of the document, Smyth records his employer before joining the army as the Northern Banking Company Limited, Belfast.

[*]  The document was obtained (via Ancestry) by Alan Rosborough who is a researcher for the Cullybackey & District Historical Society.

  

The writer has a set of 13 pages from Smyth's army career with copies of a few displayed above.

MacIlwaine, Julian Mackay

Photo courtesy of the Great War Ulster Newspaper Archive

Lieutenant Julian Mackay MacIlwaine

MacIlwaine was a Northern Bank official between the years of 1906 to 1911 and although he is not recorded on the Northern Bank War Memorial / Roll of Honour, he qualifies as a former official who served in the Great War.

MacIlwaine was born at Queensland, Australia in 1889 to Edward Nangle MacIlwaine and Julia Alura Gaussen MacIlwaine.

Edward (father) died on 9th February 1893 at 25 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast aged 43.

In 1901, MacIlwaine (12) is living in house 37, Eglantine Avenue, Belfast with his mother and 2 siblings; Frederick (17) and Julia I J (9). A servant, Helena M M Mooney is also present in the house. 

It is possible that MacIlwaine joined the Northern Bank around 1906/1907 when he was 17 or 18.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street

MacIlwaine resigned from the Northern Bank prior to 1911 and joined his cousins stock-brokers firm.

In 1911 MacIlwaine is living in house 69, Eglantine Avenue, Belfast with his mother and 3 siblings; Edward Moore (25), Alex Gillilan Johnston (24) and Julia Thomasina Jane (22). A servant, Eliza Jane F J Murphy is also present in the house. His name has been transcribed as John with his occupation recorded as a Stock-brokers Apprentice.

By this time, MacIlwaine's brother Frederick is working for the Belfast Bank. His address cannot be traced.

Following his education at the Royal Belfast Academical Institute (RBAI - Inst), MacIlwaine volunteered and enlisted into the 5th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles. He is recorded in the November 1914 Army List as a 2nd Lieutenant. His first theatre of war is recorded as France prior to 7th May 1915.

J M MacIlwaine - Medal Index Card

MacIlwaine was reported as 'shot by a sniper' and injured on 26th April 1915 as reported in the Belfast News Letter of 3rd May 1915. He was transferred to a clearing hospital.

The article records detail of the family of 4 brothers serving in the army:

1. Lt J M MacIlwaine, Royal Irish Rifles - formerly worked for Northern Bank before moving to his cousin's stockbroker firm.
   
2. Capt E MacIlwaine, Royal Irish Fusiliers
   
3. Lt A G MacIlwaine, Royal Army Medical Corps
   
4. Cpl F McD MacIlwaine, Royal Engineers
   

MacIlwaine was later attached to the 12th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps from the Royal Irish Rifles .

Captain Julian M MacIlwaine was killed in action on 22nd March 1918.

MacIlwaine was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the British Victory Medal.

J M MacIlwaine - Medal Roll 1

J M MacIlwaine - Medal Roll 2

He is remembered at the Arras Flying Services Memorial, Arras, Department du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.

The army Register of Soldiers' Effects records:

His address as recorded on the Scottish probate document was 67 Eglantine Avenue, Belfast. Probate was granted to Julia Thomasina Jane MacIlwaine, sister.

He is remembered on Irelands WW1 Casualties:

MacIlwaine is also remembered on the RBAI (INST) 1914-18 War Memorial:

Photograph courtesy of LennonWylie