Andrews, Arthur Alexander

Lieutenant Arthur Alexander Andrews

Andrews was born at Stuart Place, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone on 27th August 1894 to Alexander Andrews, Tea Merchant and Violet Andrews nee Morrison. They had married on 4th December 1889 at the 'Original Secession (Presbyterian) Church, Ballymoney'.

In 1901 Andrews (7) lived in house 1, Chapel Road, Dungannon with his parents and 3 siblings; Jim (10*), May (9) and Fred (6**). Three servants were also present in the house; Mathew McIbree, Hugh Mackrell and Minnie Boyd. The first 2 were also described as Tea Travellers.

In 1911 Andrews, his parents and 2 siblings, May and Fred were living in the same property. There were  2 servants also described as Tea Travellers; Isaac Troughton and George Neill were also present in the house.

Andrews probably joined the Belfast Banking Company between 1912 and the war years. His father, Alex Andrews signed the bankers Guarantee.  Arthur saw service in Portaferry, Coleraine and Bangor branches. 

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Portaferry branch

Belfast Bank, Coleraine branch

Belfast Bank, Coleraine branch - interior

Belfast Bank, Bangor branch

Andrews enlisted into the Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1915 and served with their 9th and 10th Battalions first as a 2nd Lieutenant and then as a Lieutenant.

The following transcripts of newspaper articles relating to Arthur Andrews have been copied from the website Dungannon War Dead Database. My sincere thanks go to their researchers. This excellent link also provides extensive coverage of the war actions of Arthur's two brothers, 2nd Lt Wm James M Andrews (* RFC) and 2nd Lt Fred S Andrews (** Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers).

The Mid Ulster Mail dated 29th 1915 reports:

"Mr Arthur Andrews, who was home for the weekend, is the second son of Mr Alexander Andrews, Stuart Place, Dungannon. Educated at Dungannon Royal School, he obtained an appointment in the Belfast Bank after public competition. He served in the company’s offices in Portaferry and Coleraine and also in Bangor. He has answered his country’s call on Easter Tuesday and joined the Cadet Corps of the 17th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, and is at present stationed at Newcastle, County Down." 

The Belfast News-Letter dated 13th July 1916 reports:

"Second Lieutenant Arthur Andrews, Royal Irish Fusiliers (Armagh Volunteers), who, as already reported, was wounded on the 1st July, has now written to his father, Mr Alexander Andrews, Stuart Place, Dungannon, stating that he sustained a compound fracture of the thigh, but is progressing favourably."

The Tyrone Courier dated 13th July 1916 reports:

"Second Lieutenant Arthur Andrews, Irish Fusiliers, wounded in the thigh, is the second son of Mr Alexander Andrews, Stuart Place, Dungannon, and received his commission on 23rd August 1915. Previous to this, he was in the employment of the Belfast Banking Company in Coleraine and Belfast. He was educated at the Royal School Dungannon."

The Mid Ulster Mail dated 15th July 1916 reports:

"Second Lieutenant Arthur Andrews, Royal Irish Fusiliers, has been wounded in the thigh. He is the second son of Mr Alexander Andrews, Stuart Place, Dungannon, and received his commission on 23rd August 1915. Previous to this he was in the employment of the Belfast Banking Company in Coleraine and Belfast. He was educated at the Royal School Dungannon."

The Tyrone Courier dated 20th July 1916 reports:

"Second Lieutenant Arthur Andrews, Irish Fusiliers, who as already reported, was wounded on 1st July, has written to his father Mr Alexander Andrews, Stuart Place, Dungannon, stating that he sustained a compound fracture of the thigh, but is progressing favourably."

The Mid Ulster Mail dated 22nd July 1916 reports:

"Second Lieutenant Andrews, Royal Irish Fusiliers, who, as already noted, has been wounded in action, has written to his father, Mr Alexander Andrews, Stuart Place, Dungannon, intimating that he sustained a compound fracture of the thigh, caused by a bullet wound."

The Mid Ulster Mail dated 23rd December 1916 reports:

"Second Lieutenant Arthur Andrews, Royal Irish Fusiliers, returned home to Dungannon on Tuesday suffering from wounds received in the famous advance on 1st July. He is the second son of Mr Alexander Andrews, Stuart Place, Dungannon, and received his commission on 23rd August 1915, having prior to volunteering been in the employment of the Belfast Banking Company in Coleraine and Belfast. He has sustained a compound fracture of the thigh, and the sciatic nerve had also been injured causing severe pain."

Andrews was reported in the Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet as 'wounded in action'.

Belfast Bank - 'Roll of Honour' booklet

Following Andrews' demobilisation from the war, he was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. His address as recorded on the Medal Index Card is The Royal Bank of Ireland, Letterkenny.

A A Andrews - Medal Index Card

A A Andrews - Medal Group

Photo courtesy of the Somme Heritage Centre (holders)

The Medal Index Card records that Andrews was also awarded a Silver War Badge numbered 233447 on 10th April 1918 as a result of his injuries.

A A Andrews - Silver War Badge roll (bottom)

A Pension Record card was created for Andrews and records his disability as a 'gun shot wound thigh'. His wife (now a widow) is recorded as Margaret Joyce Andrews.

On 25th July 1921 the Belfast News Letter reported that Mr A A Andrews of Belfast Bank was in a serious motor accident with injuries that may result in his leg being amputated.  This may be avoided as his other leg was injured during the war.

Belfast News Letter dated 25th July 1921

The Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet (above) records in pencil that Andrews 'left' the bank, date unknown.  

Jim Andrews (Arthur's brother) medals are also held by the Somme Heritage Centre:

W J M Andrews - Medal Group

Photo courtesy of the Somme Heritage Centre (holders)

William James (Jim) Morrison Andrews was born at Coolhill, Dungannon on 6th October 1890 to Alexander Andrews, Tea Merchant and Violet Andrews nee Morrison (see above). 

He volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps and attained the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. 

Jim Andrews was killed in a flying accident over Salisbury Plain, England on 4th June 1917 and is buried in Drumcoo Cemetery, Dungannon. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour in a local church.

Further information on Jim Andrews can be accessed here.

Weir, William

Lieutenant William Weir

Weir was born in Ballykeel, (Ballynahinch Road), Lisburn on 11th January 1887 to Thomas Weir, Farmer and Margaret Jane Weir nee Adair. 

Thomas Weir (father) died aged 59 on 29th November 1888 at Hillsborough.

In 1901, Weir (Willie 13) lived in house 31, Dromore Street, Ballynahinch, Co. Down with his mother and 5 siblings; Agnes (25), Maggie (24), Rebecca (20), Thomas (18) and Sarah (16).

 
On 12th December 1904 he joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Grafton Street (1905), Hillsborough (1906), Dungloe (1909), Head Office (1910) and Lisburn (1910). 

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Northern Bank , Grafton Street, Dublin
 (tall building with chimneys)

Northern Bank, Dungloe branch

Northern Banking Company Lisburn branch
(building replaced in 1920s)

In 1911, Weir was living in house 23, Burmah Street, Ormeau Ward, Belfast with his mother, sisters Rebecca and Sarah and a step brother, Oliver Watson (2) and a step sister Mabel Watson (1). Mary Jane Weir had married Oliver Watson on 11th September 1907 at Ballynahinch.

Weir played golf in the first Northern Bank golf outing on 21st March 1913 at Dunmurry:

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie

On 12th February 1915, whilst based in Lisburn he volunteered and enlisted into the Honourable Artillery Coy (Infantry) as a Private with Service Number 7016. He rose through the ranks until he went to Cadet School. 

W Weir - Medal Index Card

Weir was later gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment before being posted to the 2nd Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. Subsequently he was promoted to Lieutenant. He saw service at Macedonia, Army of Occupation Chanak, Dardanelles and Bullecourt.

Weir received a slight gunshot wound to the left shoulder. Demobilisation came in November 1919. He was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

W Weir - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation he re-joined Northern Bank on 1st December 1919 in Lisburn. 

In December 1919 he married a Miss Johnston of Lisburn. 

The Lisburn Standard of 21st October 1921 carried this advertisement with William Weir mentioned:

Transfers followed to Saintfield (1923), Antrim (1924), Limavady (1929), Donegall Square (1936), Royal Avenue (1941) and Donegall Square – Manager (1943).

Northern Bank, Saintfield branch (later building)

Northern Bank, Antrim branch

Cheques drawn on Northern Bank, Limavady branch

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch (centre building)

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

The British Newspaper Archives carry many clippings mentioning William Weir linked to Antrim and Limavady branches. He was also involved in the Royal British Legion and various rugby clubs.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (August 1981)’ contains a photograph of Weir in a 1913 Northern Bank Staff Golf outing.

Wm Weir - 1913 Northern Bank Golf Outing

William Weir is remembered on a memorial in Railway Street Presbyterian Church, Lisburn.

PRONI wills records "Weir William of 486 Lisburn Road Belfast retired bank manager died 16 December 1958 Probate Belfast 9 March to Northern Bank Limited. Effects £2000 3s. 6d.".

Paul, William Robert

Acting Quarter Master Sergeant William Robert Paul (known as William)

According to the bank Staff Record card, Paul was born on 30th August 1894. The Bank Centenary volume records that he was born in Glasgow. There is no evidence on the 'Scotlands People' website to confirm this. 

A contributor has advised that 'William Paul was born in Glasgow on 30th August 1895'.

The 1901 Scottish Census records Paul (5) as living at 74 Gower Street, Glasgow with his parents, Joseph (40) and Grace (42). A sibling is also recorded, Annie M Paul (17).

The 1911 Irish Census records William Paul (16), Scholar, living in house 15 Church Street, Coleraine with his parents Joseph (Draper) and Grace, a servant Annie O'Neill and boarder Sarah Jane MacClements. His age (16) suggests a birth year of 1895 differing from the bank record.

On 24th June 1912, Paul joined Northern Bank at Head Office. The bank Staff Record card has 'Coleraine' below his name.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

Transfers followed to Randalstown (1912 - Junior) and Londonderry (1914 - Junior).

Northern Bank, Randalstown branch

Northern Bank, Londonderry branch

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, Paul signed the Ulster Covenant at the Town Hall, Coleraine. Joseph Paul also signed the covenant and Grace Ann Paul signed the Women's Declaration.

The bank centenary volume records Paul's war service as follows:

• At the age of 20, Paul volunteered and enlisted into the 6th Bn. Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) as a Private. He was later promoted to Lance Corporal, Corporal, Sergeant and Acting Quarter Master Sergeant 
• Service was seen in Festubert 1915, Somme 1916 and Peronne 1918.
• Paul was injured 3 times; gunshot wound to the leg, gunshot wound to the shoulder and neck and gassed.
• He was demobilised in February 1919 and was awarded the 1914/15 Star, the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
• Demobilised in February 1919. 

A contributor has advised: 'Referring to his service during the Great War he was transferred to the 4/5th Black Watch after recovering from his second wounding in August 1916 (GSW left shoulder & neck)'.

and

'Paul was taken prisoner on 21st March 1918 during the German Spring Offensive. He was held firstly at Gustrow then Parchim POW camps'.

There are quite a few military records on the Ancestry website that could relate to Paul. However without further information eg his army service number, this will prove difficult to verify.

Following demobilisation, Paul re-joined the Northern Bank at Head Office.

Paul's father, Joseph Paul (57), draper, died on 20th January 1919 at Church Street, Coleraine. He had been suffering for one month from influenza and fourteen days from meningitis. He is buried in Coleraine Cemetery.

Transfers followed to Connswater (1919 - Cashier), Strabane (1919 - Cashier), Carrickfergus (1920 - Cashier), Newry (1922 - Accountant ), Head Office (1922).

The bank records that in August 1922, Paul married a Miss Forsythe of Carrickfergus and that she died in December 1922 (no record found).

Northern Bank, Strabane branch

Further transfers followed to Newry (1923 - Accountant), Head Office (1924), Omagh (1925 - Cashier), Donegall Square (1927 - Cashier), Head Office (1928) and Ballymena (1928 - Pro Manager).

Northern Bank, Newry branch

Northern Bank, Omagh branch

Northern Bank, Donegall Square branch

Northern Bank, Ballymena branch

The bank records Paul marrying a second time in possibly 1928 although her name is unclear. A GRONI registration reports William Paul (widower, cashier) marrying Grace Darling Anderson on 28th January 1928 at St Matthews Church of Ireland, Scarva.

Ancestry website records Paul's mother, Grace Ann Paul (88) dying on 5th January 1942 (GRONI - confirmed). William R Paul died on 8th January 1945 (GRONI - not confirmed). Paul's sister, Annie Peacock (65) died on 9th June 1948 (GRONI - confirmed). They are buried in Coleraine Cemetery. (Ref: Find a Grave).

Paul was still working in Ballymena branch as Pro-Manager in 1931.

A contributor has advised: 'On 8th January 1945, whilst working for the Ministry of Labour in London Paul was severely injured when a V2 rocket struck the pavement at Clapham Common. He was taken to South London Hospital where he later died from his wounds. He is commemorated by the CWGC as a civilian casualty'.

CWGC link: William Robert Paul

'Strangely I have contacted Coleraine Cemetery but he is not buried in the family plot. Lambeth and Wandsworth have no burial or cremation records for him so I do not know what happened to his remains'.

In March 2024, a family member has been in touch to advise that they currently work for Northern Bank. 

In 2026 they advised that W R Paul had 'went over to London to re-enlist for WW2 but was rejected due to being gassed in the previous war. He stayed in London and worked as a fire warden when he was killed'.

Mason, Ernest Vance

Captain Ernest Vance Mason MC

Mason was born at Boyle on 5th January 1887 to John Mason, Apothecary and Jane Barbara Mason nee Church.

In 1901 the family were living in house 2, Main Street, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. John, Jane and their daughter, Audrey Kathleen (12). A governess, Georgina Frances Young (23), an apprentice, William Hagan (18) and a servant, Maria Sheerin (20) were also in the house. I cannot trace Ernest in the census database.

Mason would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1904 and is recorded as working in Omagh branch. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee for him.

E V Mason - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Omagh branch

Mason joined 'The Ancient Masonic Lodge Number 588 Donegal' on 5th September 1910.

E V Mason - Masonic Lodge Register

In 1911 Mason is boarding with the Gardner family in house 9, Doonan, Donegal town. He is described as a Bank Official. A possible colleague, George Albert Barnes (Bank Official) also boards in this house. Barnes is recorded in the Londonderry Sentinel of 1st September 1928 as working for the Royal Bank of Ireland.

Belfast Bank, Donegal branch [This branch would 

later be sold to the Royal Bank of Ireland after the partition of Ireland]

Mason volunteered and enlisted into the South Irish Horse with Service Number 1138. He would later transfer to the Royal Field Artillery. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from 18th December 1915. Ernest's address is recorded as c/o Mrs Sweeney, 52 High Street, Holywood. That address is currently that of Sweeney's Pharmacy, Holywood.

E V Mason - Medal Index Card

Lt E V Mason was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for an action at 'P' Ridge, Salonika on 19th September 1918. The citation was dated February 1919 and says:

"Gazette Issue 31158. M.C. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to approve of the following awards to the mentioned Officers and Warrant Officers in recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty in the Field. Awarded the Military Cross. For his gallant conduct, forcefulness and the valuable information sent back under circumstances of extreme danger. When acting as F.L.O. on 'P' ridge on the 19th September, 1918, though wounded in three places and continuously under heavy enemy barrage, he continued to report information of vital importance, showing great courage and devotion to duty."

Capt E V Mason - Military Cross

His engagement notice below also shows him being awarded the Creux de Guerre (France) medal.

Capt E V Mason - Creux de Guerre (France)

The Belfast Banking Company 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Mason as having been 'previously wounded' with his last known address as 'Salonika'.

The engagement of Capt Ernest Vance Mason MC, CdeG, St Anne of Russia etc of Belfast Bank, Drogheda to Eileen Maud M Kilroy was announced in the Irish Society (Dublin) of 23rd April 1921.

E V Mason - Engagement Announcement

Belfast Bank, Drogheda branch [This branch would 

later be sold to the Royal Bank of Ireland after the partition of Ireland]

Following the partition of Ireland, the Belfast Banking Company sold all its branches and transferred their 'southern' staff to the Royal Bank of Ireland.

On 25th April 1922 Mason married Eileen Maud Margaret Kilroy at Holy Trinity Church, Wallington, Surry. His occupation and address is recorded as Captain, R F A of Springfield, Rathfriland, Co. Down.

Capt E V Mason - Marriage Registration

The Sligo Champion of 11th August 1923 records E V Mason as signing a letter complaining about the 'state of Rosses Point and Sligo Road'.

Various directories (Thom's Directory) in the 1920s to 1940s record Ernest as living in 6 Rostrevor Road, Rathgar, Dublin and other Dublin addresses.

Pension record cards exist for Ernest. They record his disability as 'Gas Poisoning & Dysentery'. An address at 52 High Street, Holywood is also recorded.

E V Mason - Pension Card 1 - Age 30 would give a date of 1927

E V Mason - Pension Card 2 - Eileen Maud Margaret Mason - Widow

The Wicklow People of 4th July 1942 reports on the theft of Ernest's raincoat:

E V Mason - Raincoat theft