Hill, Arthur Forde Trevor Darley

Arthur Forde Trevor Darley Hill

Hill was born at 'Rathmore Temple Villas', Rathmines, Dublin on 5th March 1900 to Edwin Darley Hill, Bank Manager and Deborah Hill nee Overend.

Arthur Forde Trevor Darley Hill - Birth Registration 1

Arthur Forde Trevor Darley Hill - Birth Registration 2

One of the properties (14) in 

Temple Villas, Rathmines, Dublin 

described as 'largely unchanged since 1895'

In 1901 Hill (1) lived in house 675, Palmerston Road, Rathmines and Rathgar East, Dublin with his parents and 3 siblings; Georgina Darley (7), Doris Audrey Darley (5) and Adam Cyril Darley (3). 2 servants also lived in the property, Anni J Gilbert and Sarah McKeever.

In 1911 Hill is living in house 22, Deramore Drive, Cromac Ward, Belfast, Co. Antrim (amended to Deramore Park) with his 3 siblings, Doris A (15), Adam C D (13) and Eric D H P (6). 3 servants also live in the property, Sarah Hughes, Sarah Ross and Agnes Cummins. I cannot trace Arthur's sister Georgina D Hill.

On 1st February 1917 Hill joined Northern Bank at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Hill volunteered in February 1918 was accepted by the Board of Officers of Queen's University Officers' Training Corps (OTC).

The 1924 Northern banking Company Centenary volume written by his father, Edwin D Hill states that Hill was rejected for active service on account of him having defective vision.

A transfer to Ballynafeigh followed in 1923 and then back to Head Office in 1924.

Arthur Hill resigned from the bank on 3rd July 1925.

He died at The Gables Nursing Home, c/o Dr Risk Cartnel, The Esplanade, Pine Tree Glen, Canford Cliffs, Bournemouth on 7th March 1938 and in buried in the City Cemetery with his father, Edwin Darley Hill and mother, Deborah Hill.

PRONI Wills database records "Hill Arthur Forde Trevor Darley of No. 5 Flat Thornhill Malone Road Belfast retired bank official died 7 March 1938 at 3 Pine Tree Glen Bournemouth England Probate Belfast 18 May to Eric Desmond Hume Darley Hill bank official. Effects £3626 13s. 4d."

He was a brother of Adam C D Hill deceased who was reported missing on 16th August 1917 aged 19.

Nesbitt, John Gordon

John Gordon Nesbitt

Nesbitt was born at Knocknashane, Lurgan on 25th May 1894 to William Nesbitt, Weaver and Mary Ann Nesbitt nee Baxter. His Staff Record card has 26th May 1894 on it. His parents were married on 28th April 1882 at Moira Presbyterian Church. 

In 1901 Nesbitt (6) is living in house 6 Knocknashane, Lurgan with his parents and 6 siblings; Margaret (18), James (17), William (15), Mary (12), Sarah (9) and Annie (4).

On 9th May 1910 Nesbitt joined Northern Bank at Head Office. His address is recorded as Randalstown. Transfers followed to Carrickfergus (1911 - Junior), Head Office (1912) and Coleraine (1914 - Accountant & Cashier).

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank, Coleraine branch

The bank Staff Record card records Nesbitt as taking sick leave between 6th January 1911 to 6th April 1911.

In the 2nd April 1911 Irish Census, Nesbitt is living in house 6 Knocknashane, Lurgan with his parents and 5 siblings; Margaret, Mary, Sarah and Annie. Sarah Baxter is recorded as a visitor and Frances John McIlwaine is recorded as a grandson. John's occupation is recorded as a Linen Veiner Mechanic.

The 1924 Northern Bank Centenary Volume records Nesbitt as applying for enlistment but was rejected on the grounds of him having defective vision.

In 1922 Nesbitt married Nina Burrows, Cork.

Transfers continued to Crumlin Road (1922 - Cashier), Head Office (1923), Donegall Square (1923 - Cashier), Limavady (1931 - Cashier), Downpatrick (1933 - Sub Manager) and Boyle (1940 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

Northern Bank, Downpatrick branch

Whilst in Limavady, Nesbitt joined the Limavady Recreation Club and participated in their annual Whist Drive ('Belfast Telegraph', 29th October 1931).

The 'Londonderry Sentinel' of 30th September 1950 reported on the marriage of Charles Patrick Nesbitt, only son of Mr and Mrs John Nesbitt, Northern Bank House, Newcastle to Miss Audrey Kerr Davin SRN. Miss Wanda Nesbitt, sister of the groom was one of the bridesmaids in attendance.

The 'Northern Whig' of 30th March 1951 reported on the engagement of Miss Wanda Mora Cecilia Nesbitt to Mr Stanley Kenneth Lockhart of Lisburn.

Nesbitt retired from the bank on pension on 31st March 1955.

PRONI records Nesbitt, John Gordon of 7 Shimna Road, Newcastle, County Down, retired bank manager as dying on 26th April 1961 at Downe Hospital, Downpatrick. Probate Belfast 16th June to Nina Nesbitt the widow. Effects £1953 14s.

The 'Belfast Telegraph'' of 26th August 1976 published an obituary of Major Stanley Kenneth Lockhart and mentioned his widow, Wanda and children, Gordon and Julie.

Mitchel, George Cuthbert

George C Mitchel (Ancestry - David Mitchel)

George Cuthbert Mitchel

Mitchel was born at The Manse, Enniskillen on 12th October 1894 to Samuel Cuthbert Mitchel, Presbyterian Minister and Isabella Mitchel nee Gunning. They were married on 7th May 1884 at Darling Street, Enniskillen Church of Ireland.

In 1901 Mitchel (6) lived in house 6, Drumclay, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh with his parents and 5 siblings; Edgar Gunning (15), Winifred Isabella (13), Frederick David (11), Violet (8) and Victor (3). Two servants, Catherine McCabe and Mary Jane McLesher were also in the property.

Mitchel's mother, Isabella (50) died at Darling Street, Enniskillen on 11th September 1906.

In 1911 Mitchel lived in house 15, Drumclay, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh with his father and his wife, Marie Mitchel and his brother Victor. A servant, Katie Travers was also in the property.

On 10th May 1911 Mitchel joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Ball’s Branch (1911) and then Newry (1911).

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Cheque drawn on Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Mitchel applied for and was successful in obtaining a position in the Canadian Bank of Commerce. He left Northern on 20th September 1913.

 

On 4th October 1913 Mitchel (18) departed Bristol, England on the 'Royal Edward' for Quebec, Canada with his brother, Victor (16).

'Royal Edward' passenger manifest - G C Mitchel

The 1924 Northern Bank Centenary volume published in 1925 records Mitchel as volunteering for service in the forces but was rejected as being medically unfit with defective vision. This most likely occurred in Canada.

In the 1916 Canadian census, Mitchel is living in house 37 Richill Avenue, Elkhorn, Manitoba, Canada with a bank colleague Alex Smyth.

1916 Canadian Census

On 13th March 1919 Mitchel arrived at Liverpool from New York on board the Cunard ship 'Aquitania'.

'Aquitania' passenger manifest - G C Mitchel

On 2nd July 1919 Mitchel re-joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Drumshanbo (1920 - Cash), Head Office (1920) and Bailieborough (1921 - Cash). 

On 9th April 1923 George married Janet King at St. Mary the Virgin, Hunslet, Leeds.

Marriage Registration - G C Mitchel

Further transfers followed to Lurgan (1925 - Cash), Portaferry (1926), Lisburn (1934 - Teller), Ballybay (1936 - Manager) and Portglenone – Manager (1939 - Manager).

Northern Bank, Lurgan branch

Northern Bank, Portaferry

(photo acknowledged to J Miller Collection)

In 1929 he was an official at the Portaferry Lawn Tennis Club (Belfast News-Letter - Thursday 18 April 1929).

G C Mitchell (Ancestry - David Mitchel)

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch

Northern Bank, Portglenone branch

In 1940 he was elected as Honorary Treasure of Portglenone Parish Church.

George Mitchel retired on pension on 31st July 1956.

Two brothers, Fred Mitchel and Edgar Mitchel were also employed by the bank.

Kerr, W G

William Gilmour Kerr

Kerr applied for enlistment but was rejected on the grounds of him having defective vision. 

Kerr was born at Agherton, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry on 25th October 1881 to Hugh Kerr, Farmer and Mary Kerr nee Keith. They were married on 12th September 1878 at Ballywillan Presbyterian Church, Portrush.

He probably joined Northern Bank about 1898/1899.

The 1901 Irish Census records a 18 year old William Kerr, Bank Clerk boarding in house
9.1 in Rugby Road, Rathmines & Rathgar East, Dublin.

The 'Belfast News-Letter' published on 23rd January 1914 reported that Mr Kerr, Northern Bank had attended a fire at Keady.

W G Kerr - Fire at Keady

The 'Irish Independent' published on 18th May 1917 records Mr W G Kerr , Northern Bank was presented with an address and a case of Treasury Notes by his friends at Keady on his transfer to Magherafelt.

W G Kerr - Transfer from Keady to Magherafelt

The 'Belfast News-Letter' of 14th February 1922 published a Family Notice recording the marriage of William G Kerr, Magherafelt to Miss Annie J (Nannie) Anderson, Tandragee. This was on 7th February 1922.

Mr & Mrs Kerr (Northern Bank House, Ballymoney) had a daughter, Margaret who took first place in a pianoforte competition in June 1934. Margaret married Ronald Keith Walker on 3rd May 1941 at Bushvale Presbyterian Church, Ballymoney.

William Gilmour Kerr, 7 Salisbury Terrace, Portrush, retired bank manager died on 25th December 1949. Probate to Anne Jane Kerr, the widow. Effects £2460 11s. 10d.

Lewis, Leslie Arthur

Leslie Arthur Lewis

Lewis was born at Wine Street, Sligo at 11:30 am on 25th February 1893 to William Lewis, Flour Agent and Emily Lewis nee Brennan. A twin brother, Edgar was born at 3:30 pm and sadly died the next day. His parents had married on 11th April 1890 at Donegall Square (Church), Belfast.

In 1901 Lewis (8) is living in house 9 Wolfe Tone Street, Sligo with his parents and 4 siblings; Stella (10), Cecil (6), Sydney (6) and Dorothy (3).  

On 21st March 1910 Lewis joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

The 1911 Irish Census records Lewis as boarding with Mary Ann Hawkins (52, Lodging House Keeper) and 2 other boarders, Jane Mulhall (72) and William Wood (48) in house 321, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. His employment is detailed as a Bank Clerk.

Transfers followed to Balbriggan (1910 - Junior), Ball’s Branch (1912 - Junior), Head Office (1914) and Donegall Square (1914 - Junior). 

Lewis is recorded as being on Sick Leave between 30th October 1914 to 30th July 1915. It is possible that this coincided with him applying to enlist but was rejected as being medically unfit. 

Northern Bank, Balbriggan branch

Cheque drawn on Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch (centre)

Further transfers followed to Hillsborough (1915 - Junior), Lurgan (1916 -  Accountant), Bailieborough (1917 - Cashier) and Raphoe (1918 - Cashier), Holywood (1922 - Cashier), Head Office (1923), Portadown (1923 - Cashier), Clones (1926 - Pro Manager), Head Office (1929) and Cushendall (1930 - Cashier). 

Northern Bank, Lurgan branch (cream & brown building)

Northern Bank, Holywood branch (building with gable facing)

Northern Bank, Portadown branch (no link with people)

Northern Bank, Clones branch

Northern Bank, Cushendall branch

On 9th June 1930 Lewis, Acreback, Whitehead married Annie Alicia Kidd D'Arcy, Etna Lodge, Clones at Armagh Cathedral.

Leslie Arthur Lewis, Garron View, Cushendall died on 31st October 1931, effects £1,941 1s 2d.

Thompson, John

John Thompson

Thompson was born at Doochary, Co. Donegal on 18th October 1874 to George William Thompson, General Practitioner and Bessie Anne Thompson.  [Ref: 1901 Irish Census. Address: House 18, Derrynacarrow, Doochary, Co. Donegal].

[Further family information would be required before this can be verified with the official birth registrations.]

On 1st June 1891 Thompson, aged 17 joined Northern Bank at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Ramelton (1891 - Junior), Downpatrick (1893 - Junior), Lisburn (1896 - Junior), Head Office (1898 - Relief) and Derry (1900 - Books and then Sub-Manager).

Northern Bank, Ramelton branch

Northern Bank, Downpatrick branch

Northern Bank, Lisburn branch - replaced in 1920s by a new building

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

By 1901 Thompson was boarding with the Thompson family in house 24, Abercorn Road, South ward, Londonderry. His occupation is recorded as a 'Cashier in Bank'. There are 4 other boarders.

By 1911, Thompson is boarding with the Forsythe family in house 5, Asylum Road, Londonderry Urban, Co. Londonderry. His occupation is recorded as a 'Sub Bank Manager'. A possible colleague, Robert E Olden (24 - Bank Clerk) also boards in this house.

Further transfers followed to Head Office (1912 - Interim (?) Manager) and Shercock (1914 - In Charge).

Northern Bank, Shercock branch - see below

During the war years 1914 to 1919 John applied for enlistment but was rejected as being over age. He would have been aged between 40 and 45 during those years.

Further transfers followed in Head Office (1916 - Int. Manager) and Dungiven (1919 - Manager).

Thompson married Miss Sarah McMurray of Mount Carmel (House), Ballybay, Co. Donegal on 29th October 1919 at First Ballybay Presbyterian Church. His occupation is recorded as Bank Manager of Bank House, Dungiven.

The Northern Whig dated 20th June 1921 carries an article about Dungiven Presbyterian Church. It mentions John Thompson of Northern Bank as treasurer.

The Northern Whig dated 28th June 1933 carries an obituary for John's father, Dr George Thompson (confirming Irish Census parents details 1901). Dr Thompson died at his son's residence, Northern Bank, Dungiven. John's mother predeceased his father.

John Thompson died aged 58 on 5th October 1933. The PRONI Wills database records:

"Thompson John of Northern Bank House Dungiven county Londonderry bank manager died 5 October 1933 at 1 College Park Belfast Probate Belfast 23 January to George Nesbitt Thompson and Thomas McMurry bank managers. Effects £2277 7s.".

Northern Banking Company, Shercock - see below

The Buildings of Ireland website describes the Shercock branch as:

Description

Attached five-bay two-storey former bank manager's house and attached three-bay two-storey bank, built c.1900. Now disused. Pitched slate roof with clay ridge tiles, roughcast rendered chimneystacks with profiled copings on gables and over dividing wall, cast-iron rainwater goods. Roughcast rendered walls over raised plinth course, raised stucco quoins, stucco plat band between storeys on domestic quarters, signage fascia with profiled cornice over bank premises, channelled rustication to bank frontage. Roughcast rendered walls to gable. Window openings to dwelling arranged in two groups with one window at first floor centred over pair at ground floor. One-over-one pane timber sliding sash windows having stone sills and raised stucco block-and-start Gibbsian-style surrounds, with prominent keystones to ground floor openings. Replacement door to house having matching stucco surround with keystone. Fixed casement windows to bank section, flanking replacement panelled door with glazed overlight. Two-storey returns to bank and house, having roughcast rendered walls, domestic return having stepped three-light casement windows. Outbuildings to rear. Opens directly on to street.

Appraisal

A purpose-built former Northern Bank branch designed by Belfast architect Godfrey William Ferguson (1855-1939), architect of many of that institution's branches. The long two-storey composition employs Classical motifs to impart a sense of solidity and permanence, but nevertheless maintains a scale and simplicity that allow it to integrate into the planned town of Shercock. It is well detailed and of a balanced composition, retaining much of its historic fabric and character, and makes an interesting historic addition to the streetscape.

Wallace, Alexander Wilson

Alexander Wilson Wallace

Wallace was born at Bridge Street, Banbridge on 12th July 1887 to Thomas Wallace, Grocer and Jane Wallace nee Wilson. They had married on 24th June 1885 at Warrenpoint Presbyterian Church.

A W Wallace - Birth Registration

In 1901 Wallace (13) was living in house 2, Bridge Street, Banbridge with his parents and 5 siblings, Isabel (13), Percy (10), Thomas (11) Sydney (8) and Norman (1). 2 servants, Annie Murphy and Mary Berry and 3 boarders, Wm McCann, John Smith and David Watt were also present in the property (shop). 

On 21st July 1905 Wallace joined Northern Bank at Head Office. 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Ball’s Branch, Dublin (1905), Head Office (1908) and Donegall Square, Belfast (1908).

Draft drawn on Ball & Company, Henry Street, Dublin

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

In 1911 Wallace was living in house 3, Bridge Street, Banbridge with his parents and 5 siblings, Anne Mabel, Thomas, Percy, Sydney and Norman.  A domestic servant and 4 shop assistants were also living in the house but described as visitors; Nelly Keenan, William Smyth, Wm Bowell, John McAldin and Samuel Smyth. Alex's occupation is described as a Bank Clerk.

On 30th July 1912 the Belfast Telegraph carried an advertisement from an A W Wallace, Banbridge who was selling a motorbike - 3.5hp, TT Triumph, fortnight old, done 800 miles, guaranteed 55 mph, owner getting a twin.

Belfast Telegraph - 30th July 1912

It appears that the motor bike didn't sell.  On  12th September 1912 the Belfast Telegraph carried another advertisement from A W Wallace, Banbridge who was selling a motorbike - a 1912 3.5hp, TT Triumph, new July, 1000 miles, Lucas horn etc, owner getting twin.

Belfast Telegraph - 12th September 1912

Further transfers followed to Newry (1912) and Head Office – Accountant’s Department (1914).

Northern Bank, Newry branch

The 1924 Northern Bank Centenary Volume records Wallace as volunteering for enlistment but was rejected on the grounds of him having defective hearing.

Alex died aged 51 from bronchial pneumonia at the Musgrave Clinic. His address was recorded as 52 Bridge Street, Banbridge on 9th May 1939. 

A W Wallace - Death Registration