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Showing posts with label Surnames A to F. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Surnames A to F. Show all posts

Tuesday, 25 August 2026

Coates, J


J Coates joined the Belfast Banking Company.

Update at 26th September 2021:
British Newspaper Archive - nothing relevant using many combinations of words
Forces War Records - 470 x 'J Coates'
PRONI Will Calendars - nothing
Unfortunately without further details this man cannot be researched.
Please contact me gavinbamford@btinternet.com should you have any information on this official.

Bryans, Sydney Thomas

Flying Officer Sidney Thomas Bryans
Bryans was born in the Eglinton district of Londonderry on 14th August 1919 to Joseph Bryans, Clerk and Ella Jane Bryans nee Hoffman. They were married on 14th September 1914 at Tralee Church of Ireland.

Bryans joined the Belfast Banking Company on 4th May 1937. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him and gave his address as Hilden, Northland Road, Londonderry.


Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Bryans volunteered and enlisted into the RAF Volunteer Reserve with Service Number 1062413. London Gazette entries record him receiving a commission with Service Number 144392.

Following his return from Active Service, he was transferred to Limavady branch on 23rd September 1946.

In 1948 Bryans left the bank and re-joined the RAF as an Instructor.

Bryans died on 5th October 1950 in an airplane accident at Sydenham Aerodrome (RAF Sydenham / Royal Naval Air Station). He had been instructing 2 officer cadets from Queen's University Officer Training Corps (OTC).

Various newspapers reported on the accident:


Derry Journal - 6th March 1950


Irish Independent - 6th March 1950


Belfast Telegraph - 8th March 1950


Belfast Telegraph - 16th March 1950

The family placed 'In Memoriam' notices on an annual basis.


Londonderry Sentinel - 5th March 1953

PRONI Wills record:

Bryans, Sidney Thomas of Hilden, 84 Northland Road, Londonderry. Flying Officer, Royal Air force died 5th March 1950 at Sydenham Aerodrome, Belfast. Administration Belfast 20 July to Joseph Bryans commercial traveller. Effects £957 18s. 11d.

Flying Officer Instructor Sidney T Bryans is buried in Londonderry. He is remembered on the Armed Forces Memorial and their Roll of Honour.

Buller, Alexander McLean


Flight Lieutenant Alexander McLean Buller (Known as Rex)
Buller was born at Manorhamilton on 30th June 1921 (and registered in the Ballymoney District) to Alexander McLean Buller and Anne Beatrice Buller nee Houston. They had married on 26th September 1917.
A brother, John Francis Buller was born at Manorhamilton on 17th June 1918 
Buller joined the Belfast Banking Company on 15th April 1940. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and gave his address as Cloughmills Creamery (Manager) and later 105 North Road, Belfast. Alexander (Juniors) wife, Mrs Jocelyn M Buller later signed the guarantee giving her address as 'Sherwood' Shore Road, Jordanstown. He is recorded as working in Central branch.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet


Belfast Bank, Central branch (Donegall Square North)
Buller volunteered for 'Active Service' in 1941 (Forces War Record) and enlisted into the Royal Air Force with Service Number 1796227. 
The London Gazette Supplement dated 4th August 1944 reported 1796227 Alexander McLean Buller being commissioned as a Pilot Officer from 11th June 1944.
The London Gazette Supplement dated 2nd July 1946 reported A McL Buller, 180086 being promoted from Flying Officer to Flight Lieutenant from 11th June 1946.
He was demobilised on 25th November 1946. 
Buller was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in March 1948 paying 5 shillings subscription. 
The Belfast Telegraph of 4th April 1963 reported that Mr Alexander McL Buller was being sent to Banking School in Semmering, Austria.
He worked in Central, Head Office, Inspection Staff  and was appointed as manager to Ballyhackamore branch in 1967.


Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast


Belfast Bank, Ballyhackamore branch
Buller was appointed as an Advances Controller in 1971 as reported in the Belfast Telegraph of 24th May 1971.


The Belfast Telegraph of 9th November 1972 reported on his transfer from Ballyhackamore to Holywood branch. It was also reported that he is married and has 3 children.
Mrs J M Buller, the widow of A McL Buller, attended the 2000 re-dedication ceremony of the Rolls of Honour.

Brown, Robert George


Robert George Brown (known as Bertie)
Brown was born on 6th April 1924 to Robert Brown (Merchant Tailor - Marriage Registration) and Martha Emily Brown nee Crooks. They were married on 6th August 1918 at the Gospel Hall, Cookstown. His address was recorded as of 1 William Street, Cookstown. 
Brown joined Belfast Banking Company in 1942. His Bankers Guarantee was signed by his parents on 15th April 1942. A new Declaration of Secrecy was to be signed on 'return from Forces'. He is recorded as working in Portadown branch.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Portadown branch

Brown volunteered for War Service and joined the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy.

The Portadown Times of 4th April 1952 reports on the marriage of Robert George Brown, Accountant, Belfast Banking Co. Ltd. to Miss Ruth Gertrude Wilson of Hilden, Springfield Road, Warrenpoint at Warrenpoint Presbyterian Church.


The Belfast Telegraph of 17th October 1969 reports the transfer of Brown to Ballymoney branch. It also mentions that Robert had worked in Londonderry branch.

Belfast Bank, Ballymoney branch


Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Bratty, Ivan Warren

Gunner Ivan Warren Bratty
Bratty was born at  Queen Street, Lurgan on 29th June 1908 to William John Bratty, Clerk and Martha Bratty nee Wright. They had married on 27th December 1888 at Rathfriland Presbyterian Church.

In 1911 Bratty (2) was living in house 19, Windsor Avenue, Lurgan with his parents and 8 siblings; William John (20), Thomas (17), Susan Elizabeth (15), Agnes May (13), Annie (11), John Henry (9), Dorothy Madge (6) and James Claude (4).

Bratty joined Belfast Banking Company on 1st April 1925. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him. Later on, Bratty's wife would be asked to join in the guarantee. He is recorded as working in Ballymoney, Head Office and Markets branches. Various other addresses are recorded for him i.e. 4 Ferguson Drive, Belmont, Belfast and 12 Springfield Avenue, Bangor.


Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet


Belfast Bank, Ballymoney branch


Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast


Belfast Bank, Markets branch (Victoria Street)

Bratty was married for 2 years prior to enlisting into the 8th Belfast Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery on 23rd April 1939 with Service Number 1460417. He signed on for 4 years (Supplementary Reserve).

F W T Dolan served in the same battery.

Following his return from Active Service, Bratty is recorded as being a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in March 1947 paying 5 shillings subscription.

He served in Central, Markets, Ballymoney and Head Office.


Belfast Bank, Central branch (Donegall Square North)

In 1955 Bratty lived at 40 Shandon Drive, Bangor.

He retired on 29th June 1971.

Ivan McClure Bratty (his son) attended the 2000 re-dedication ceremony of the Rolls of Honour. He eventually became Head of the Dept. of Semantics at the Institute of Linguistic Research at Woollamalloo, Australia.

Saturday, 1 August 2026

Boyd, Ronald Mills

Fusilier Ronald Mills Boyd
Boyd was born on 1st May 1923 to Mr Boyd and Mrs Boyd nee Malseed with the birth being registered in the Londonderry district. 
He joined the Belfast Banking Company around May 1941. James Malseed (Solicitor of Donegall Square West, Belfast and Letterkenny) signed his Bankers Guarantee and gave his address as ? House, Letterkenny. He is recorded as working in Larne branch.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet


Belfast Bank, Larne branch

R M Boyd, Portrush branch, is recorded in the Belfast Telegraph of 15th May 1942 as passing the Preliminary Examination of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland.


Belfast Bank, Portrush branch
The Forces War Record database has a record for a R M Boyd (Service Number 3195590) as serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and being wounded in an incident in North Africa on 14th May 1943. This is reported in the Londonderry Sentinel of 26th June 1943.
Ancestry has a Voters Roll record for a Ronald Mills Boyd with a birth date between 1921 to 1923 and living in 2003 to 2010 at 2 Clearwater, Londonderry.
The Funeral Times website records the death of R M Boyd:
Boyd Ronald Mills - 23rd August 2019 (Peacefully at Altnagelvin Hospital) Aged 96 Years. Loving Husband of the Late Val. Sadly missed by his Stepchildren, Suzan and Peter, Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews.
A Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday 4th September 2019 at 1.00pm in Adair and Neely Funeral Home, Foyle Road followed by Burial in Ballyoan Cemetery. 

Boyd, Alexander Ernest

Alexander Ernest Boyd
Boyd (see obituary at end) joined the Belfast Banking Company with his father signing his Bankers Guarantee for him and giving his address as Moneymore, Co. Londonderry. The bank also held a letter dated 26th November 1946 from Reverend Wm Thomas Boyd with an address of RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, England. William was Ernest's brother. He was a Chaplain in the RAF.

BBCo - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

The Forces War Records database records an Alexander Ernest Boyd with Service Number 2205561 enlisting into the RAF after October 1942.

Following his demobilisation after the war, Boyd worked in Armagh branch. The Portadown News of 14th August 1937 reports his transfer from Armagh to Lurgan branch.


Belfast Bank, Armagh branch


Belfast Bank, Lurgan branch

The Portadown Times of 17th October 1952 has an obituary for Alexander Boyd, Ernest's father.. He was a Justice of the Peace (Magistrate).



Boyd is recorded as working in the Belfast Bank, Ballyclare branch.


Belfast Bank, Ballyclare branch 

Adair, William Alexander Gallantry

Flying Officer William Alexander Gallantry Adair
Adair was born at 28 Bishop Street, Londonderry on 9th July 1920 to William Adair, Undertaker and Mabel Adair nee Brown. They had married on 22nd March 1906 at Ebrington Presbyterian Church.

Adair probably joined the Belfast Banking Company in 1918. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him giving his address and occupation as Spring Grove, Londonderry – Funeral Director and Motor Hirer.


Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Adair left the Bank for War Service on 1st July 1939 and returned from Active Service on 23rd September 1946.
 
Adair resigned from the Bank on 31st October 1946. The following shipping manifest gives his occupation as a Funeral Director and Motor Hirer and Pharmacist.
 
The London Gazette records a W A G Adair with Service Number 1795420 being promoted from Pilot Officer to Flying Officer in 1961. His first names were confirmed against his Service Number in a 1958 London Gazette edition.

The Londonderry Sentinel of 25th October 1952 reports on the wedding of W A G Adair to Miss Joan Margaret Taylor at Carlisle Road Presbyterian Church, Londonderry.

William and Joan returned from their honeymoon in Madeira, Portugal to Plymouth, England arriving on 8th November 1952 on the ship Venus of the Bergen Steamship Company.


Shipping Passenger Manifest

Friday, 26 June 2026

Carson, Henry

Acting Major Henry Carson
Carson was born at Mays Buildings, Cliftonville Road, Belfast on 25th November 1919 to George Moore Carson, Salesman and Ada Carson nee May. They had married on 25th April 1918 at the Church of St Silas, Belfast. George was recorded as a Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment. 

On 2nd May 1938 Carson joined Northern Bank at Head Office. His address on the Staff Record card is Ballykinlar, Clough, Co. Down.


Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Raphoe (1938 - Relief), Grafton Street (1939 - Relief), Ball’s Branch (1939 - Relief), Head Office (1939), Newtownards (1939 - Junior) and Head Office (1940).


Northern Bank, Grafton Street, Dublin branch


Northern Bank, Newtownards branch

Carson was ‘Called up’ on 30th July 1940 and joined the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Staff Record card) with the rank of Fusilier. Promotion to Corporal (1943) before gaining a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant (1943). He may also have served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as Acting Major.
 
On 4th November 1946 Carson resumed duty with Northern Bank from Active Service. Transfers followed to Portrush (1949 - Relief), Head Office (1949), Larne (1951 - Accountant & Cashier), Ballyclare (1962 - Pro-manager) and Newtownstewart (1966 - Manager).


Northern Bank, Portrush branch


Northern Bank, Larne branch

Northern Bank, Ballyclare branch


Northern Bank, Newtownstewart branch

In April 1950 Carson married a former official, Miss Hazel Fergus of Portadown.

The Larne Times of 27th October 1955 carries an advertisement for tickets to the British Lions XV versus Ulster at Ravenhill match with tickets available from H Carson, Northern Bank, Larne.

Allen, Anthony Edward Dalton

Anthony Edward Dalton Allen
Allen was born at Lower Sydenham on 16th September 1907 to Anthony Cowdy Allen, Manager of Linen Warehouse and Ellen Jane Allen nee Martin.

In 1911 Allen (3) lived at house 53 South Parade, Belfast. A servant, Helen Croosey also lived in the house. His name is written as Adrain.

Allen probably joined the Belfast Banking Company about 1925. Frederick Chas Cowdy signed the Bankers Guarantee for him and later, Anthony Lloyd Cowdy also signed. Anthony is recorded as working in Banbridge branch.


Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet


Belfast Bank, Banbridge branch

The Belfast Telegraph of 11th May 1935 reports in an advertisement that A Allen, Belfast Bank, Kilkeel has passed the Special Diploma in Foreign Exchange, Institute of Bankers in Ireland.


Belfast Bank, Kilkeel branch

Allen volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Artillery and was promoted in 1940 to a 2nd Lieutenant. Further promotions occurred taking him up to Captain. Following the war, Anthony continued his army service in the Territorial Army; Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's). 

The Northern Whig of 29th December 1941 announced the birth of a daughter on 21st April 1941 to Lieutenant A E D Allen, Royal Artillery, 3rd (Ulster) S L Regiment. (Late Belfast Bank, Banbridge).

The Mid-Ulster Mail of 7th April 1945 carries an advertisement for a 'General Maid with some experience'. apply Mrs Allen, Belfast Bank House, Cookstown.


Belfast Bank, Cookstown branch

Allen  was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in March 1948 paying 1 shilling subscription.

Captain A E D Allen with Service Number 126642 retired from army service on 16th September 1952.

The Portadown Times of 13th January 1956 published an obituary for A E D Allen, Cashier, Belfast Bank, Banbridge.

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.




Major A H Bates died in 2001.