Bamford, George William Rea

G W Rea Bamford - 1940s

Major G W Rea Bamford - 1960

Lieutenant G W Rea Bamford - 1944

Belfast Bank - Roll of Honour - WW2

Major George William Rea Bamford TD

Bamford was born in 34 The Mount, Belfast on 6th February 1920 to George William Bamford, Linen Salesman and Margaret Bamford nee McGowan (of Whitespots, Newtownards) both of 75 The Mount, Belfast.

Bamford's father, George Bamford outside 75 The Mount, Belfast

Bamford was educated at Mountpottinger National School, Albertbridge Road, Belfast and later at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Inst).

Bamford's School Jotter

Bamford joined the Belfast Banking Company Limited in 1938. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and also supplied a letter to the bank on 30th May 1946.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

It is probable that Bamford worked in the East End branch from the start of his career up to his enlistment in the army.

Belfast Bank, East End branch (Albertbridge Road, Belfast)

On 10th October 1939 Bamford volunteered and enlisted at Clonaver Park, Belfast into the '3 Anti-Aircraft Brigade Company, Royal Army Service Corps (RASC)' [Territorial Army] as a Driver with Service Number T103793. On his attestation form, Bamford gave his date of birth as 6th February 1919 indicating he was 20 years old, not 19 as he really was. [The family are not sure why he did this as he was over the age permitted to enlist]. On that day, Bamford was 5' 5.5" tall and weighed 116 lbs.

Army Attestation Form (page 1) - G W R Bamford - 10/10/1939

As a soldier, Bamford served at 'home' from 10th October 1939 to 24th November 1939 before being posted 'overseas' to France until 19th June 1940. His time overseas lasted until 19th June 1940 when he was returned 'home'.

Bamford was promoted to Lance Corporal on 9th August 1941 and back to Driver on 27th December 1942 when he was transferred to 202 Officer Cadet Training Unit, RASC to train as an officer.

1941 WW2 Xmas Christmas Card (Courtesy eBay)

On 19th March 1943 Bamford was 'discharged' as a soldier having been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with Service Number 268452.

The Army 'Record of Service - Officers' form records Bamford's 'Actual DOB' as 6th February 1920 against a 'Declared DOB' of 6th February 1919. His civilian occupation is recorded as an Accountant, Belfast Banking Company.

As an officer, his training record during war included a Waterproofing Course of Vehicles at Salop (Shropshire), 1943; weapon training course at Altcar (Merseyside), 1943 and a 3" Mortar Course at East Africa, 1944.

Bamford was transferred to the Royal Ulster Rifles from the RASC on 14th June 1944 following his promotion to Lieutenant. He embarked overseas to East Africa and was posted to the 2nd Battalion North Rhodesia Regiment.

Bamford's overseas service is recorded on another army document as:

• France - 6th December 1939 to 18th June 1940
• East Africa - 16th July 1944
• S.E.A.C. - 8th June 1945 (possibly the South East African Command)
• East Africa - 17th January 1946

Bamford records his army service in pencil in his 'Officers Record of Service Army Book 439' in this picture:

'Officers Record of Service Army Book 439'

Bamford was discharged from the Royal Ulster Rifles on 12th April 1946 to his home address, 17 Cyprus Gardens, Belfast.

Belfast News Letter - 20th December 1946

Following the war, Bamford was awarded the Defence Medal, the War Medal, the 1939-45 Star and the Burma Star.

Medal Ribbon

Bamford with his father, George Bamford

After demobilisation in 1946, he returned to work for the Belfast Banking Company but also continued his army career in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), Territorial Army (TA).

Based on his wartime and TA service, Bamford was later awarded the Territorial Decoration (TD) and Bar.

Bamford worked in the following branches; East End (1946), Bangor (1947), Warrenpoint (1950), Markets (1952), North End (1953), Castle Place (1955) and Upper Newtownards Road (1960). Whilst based in this last branch, Bamford also worked as a Pro-Manager in the small sub-branch at Dundonald.

Belfast Bank, Bangor branch

Belfast Bank, Warrenpoint branch

Belfast Bank, Markets branch

Belfast Bank, Western branch (Shankill Road)

Belfast Bank, Castle Place branch (2nd from left)

Belfast Bank, Ballyhackamore branch (Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast)

Rea Bamford married Edith Malcomson on 7th September 1953 at Bloomfield Presbyterian Church, Belfast.  They had 3 children, Paul (1954), Gavin (1956) & Linda (1961).

He died on 28th December 1961 and was buried in Roselawn Cemetery and is remembered on a Roll of Honour in Bloomfield Presbyterian Church, Beersbridge Road, Belfast.

Photograph courtesy of Nigel Henderson

Medal Index Card

Service in the Territorial Army

Having been discharged from the army after the war, Bamford wanted to continue as an officer in the Territorial Army.  He applied for an 'Appointment to a Commission in the Territorial Army' on 15th March 1947.

Army form 

'Appointment to a Commission in the Territorial Army' (page 1) 

- G W R Bamford dated 15th March 1947

The Interview Board recommended Bamford for a TA commission at the rank of Lieutenant and to be posted to 931 (Ulster) Company RASC (TA).

The Army 'Record of Service - Officers' form records Bamford's TA career as follows:

• 1st September 1947 - Lieutenant
• 1st April 1948 - Captain
• 1st November 1952 - Acting Major
• 6th February 1954 - Major

Bamford attended his final Annual Camp  from 20th May to 5th June 1961. He died on 28th December 1961.

Other photographs from the collection of G W R Bamford are recorded here.

 Major G W Rea Bamford
[Front row, 4th from left, with possibly 931 (U) Company RASC (V)]

Callaghan, Richard Marcus

Lieutenant Richard Marcus Callaghan (known as Marcus)

Callaghan was born at Killyquinn on 17th March 1895  to Robert Callaghan, National School Teacher and Mary Jane Callaghan nee Stevenson. The surname on the birth registration is spelt Callaghan. They had married on 3rd May 1894 at St. Michael's Church, Donaghmore.

In 1901 Callaghan (6) was living in house 51, Loughgall Town, Loughgall, Co. Armagh with his parents and 3 siblings, Robert(4), Lillian (2) and Eileen (1). His grandmother, Maria Callaghan, a visitor, Emily Stevenson and a servant, Annie McNeill are also present in the house. 

By 1911 the property was known as house 53, Loughgall Town, Loughgall, Co. Armagh. Callaghan, his parents and 3 siblings Robert, Lillian and Eileen are present in the property.

On 28th September 1912, Callaghan signed the Ulster Covenant at Loughgall giving his address as Royal School, Armagh.

Callaghan would have joined the Belfast Banking Company sometime around 1913 working in Donegal. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee and later on, his wife Gwendoline Iris Callaghan also signed it. He is recorded as working in Banbridge branch.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet.

Belfast Bank, Banbridge branch

Callaghan enlisted into the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was later commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was later attached to the Royal Army Service Corps. His first theatre of war is recorded as France from May 1917.

Medal Index Card - R M Callaghan

The newspaper 'Northern Whig' dated 24th March 1917 reports Officer Cadet R M Callaghan as being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. 

The newspaper 'Londonderry Sentinel' dated 10th August 1920 reports Lieutenant R M Callaghan, Special Reserve of Officers, as relinquishing his commission but retaining his rank of Lieutenant.

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, Callaghan was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

The 'Belfast News Letter' dated 24th December 1932 records the death at the Hospital for Sick Children of Marcus (their child) on 22nd December 1932. Burial at family burial ground, Loughgall. The family address of Marcus and G Callaghan was 1 Madison Avenue, Belfast.

November 1933 saw a transfer for Callaghan from Head Office to Banbridge.

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

R M Callaghan was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club in March 1948 paying 1 shillings subscription and was recorded as being in Banbridge branch.

Retirement came in 1956 with is death a few years later on 2nd September 1959.

Dougan, Roland Hamill

Cadet Roland Hamill Dougan

Dougan was born at 40 Carlisle Street, Belfast on 19th February 1897 to James Alexander Dugan, bread-server and Susan Dugan nee Hamill. The surname is spelt Dugan on the birth registration with Dougan being crossed out. They had married on 9th October 1895 at Macrory Memorial Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

In 1901 Dougan (4) was living in house 40, Carlisle Street, Court Ward, Belfast with his parents and a brother Earnest (2). Two boarders, William Driscoll and George Auchterlonee (?) were also present in the house.

By 1911 the family had moved to house 9, Albert Terrace, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry. A further 3 siblings were in the house, Delia (9), Kenneth (6) and Lina (3).

On Ulster Day, 28th September 1912, Dougan signed the Ulster Covenant at the Town Hall, Coleraine giving his address as Coleraine.

Dougan would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1914 aged around 17. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as 9 Albert Terrace, Coleraine. At later dates, his mother, brother and one other were recorded in the ledger. Roland is recorded as working in Head Office and Rathfriland branch.

Belfast Bank -  Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

Belfast Bank, Rathfriland branch

On 19th October 1918 Dougan enlisted into the RAF as a Clerk with Service Number 308742. He records his fathers address as 14 Ferryquay Street, Londonderry. 

RAF Airmen Records - R H Dougan - page 1

RAF Airmen Records - R H Dougan - page 2

A month later Dougan was transferred to 247 Squadron RAF. Wikipedia records this about the squadron:

"No. 247 Squadron was first formed in World War I on 20 August 1918 by the amalgamation of No. 336 and 337 Flights of the Royal Naval Air Service. The squadron was equipped with Felixstowe F2A flying boats and its role was reconnaissance and anti-submarine work in the North Sea. With the cessation of hostilities, the squadron was disbanded on 22 January 1919."

Dougan was transferred to RAF Reserves on 21st February 1919. He had served 4 months in the Great War.

The Belfast Bank record his rank as a Cadet on the Roll of Honour picture above. His name is not recorded in the Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet.

Dougan died on 8th March 1956. The PRONI Wills Calendar record:

"Dougan Roland Hamill of 64 Downpatrick Street Rathfriland county Down bank official died 8 March 1956 Probate Belfast 15 June to Vera Hamilton Dougan the widow. Effects £2402 3s. 1d."

Glasgow, Ernest Moore

Private Ernest Moore Glasgow

Glasgow was born at Loy, Cookstown on 6th July 1893 to William James Glasgow, Linen Draper and Rebecca Jane Glasgow nee Moore. They were married on 6th April 1891 at Derryloran Parish Church, Cookstown.

In 1901 Glasgow (7) was living in house 36, James’s Street, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone with his parents and brothers, Allan (9) and Henry (4). A boarder, Margaret Patterson (81) and 2 servants, Jane Acheson (82) and Annie Ford (14) were also present in the house.

The Mid-Ulster Mail of 30th July 1910 carried an advertisement the 'Cookstown Academy' that reported Ernest Moore Glasgow had passed his Belfast Bank entrance examination. 

Glasgow would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1911 and is recorded as working in Head Office. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as Post Office, Cookstown.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Head Office, Waring Street, Belfast

In 1911 the parents, Henry (brother) and a servant are living in house house 36, James’s Street, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone.

By 1911, Glasgow was boarding with the Coulter family in house 19, Mountcharles Street, Windsor Ward, Belfast. He is one of five boarders. His occupation is recorded as a Bankers Clerk.

On 28th September 1912, Glasgow signed the Ulster Covenant at the City Hall, Belfast giving his address as 19 Mount Charles, Belfast.

Glasgow also worked in Bangor branch.

Belfast Bank, Bangor branch

Glasgow volunteered early in the war but was unable to pass the medical examination. On the second attempt, he enlisted into the Royal Marines Artillery as a Private with Service Number RMA 1446/S. He was sent to Portsmouth for training. 

Glasgow served in France and was awarded the British War Medal.

Royal Marines - Medal Roll - Glasgow E M

A Pension Card was created for Glasgow in March 1916 and is annotated 'No Claim':

Glasgow  died on 21st August 1923 and is buried in the Derryloran Old Graveyard, Cookstown. Probate was granted to his father, William James Glasgow.

This link to Cookstown War Dead gives greater detail about the family and the 3 brothers who served, one being killed in action.

Hamilton, Charles Daniel

Trooper Charles Daniel Hamilton

Hamilton was born at Church Street, Dromore, Co. Down on 27th November 1881 to John Hamilton, Linen Manufacturers Clerk and Emily Hamilton nee Daniel. They were married on 27th February 1876 at Dromore.

Hamilton would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1900 and worked in Derry branch. His father, John signed the Bankers Guarantee giving his address as Dromore. Later, Donald Bruce Hamilton and Francis Roycroft Hamilton would join in the indemnity.

Belfast Bank, Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

In 1901 Hamilton was boarding with the Black family in house 45, Bridge Street, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. His occupation is recorded as a Bankers Clerk. 

In 1901 the family were living in house 43, Princes Street, Dromore, Co. Down. Parents John and Emily, siblings Francis (22), Alice (20), Walter (16) and Bruce (14), boarders William Larmour and Alfred Davison. 

The Northern Whig of 30th November 1905 reports on Hamilton being transferred, on promotion, from Ballymoney branch to Crossmaglen branch.

Belfast Bank, Ballymoney branch

Belfast Bank, Crossmaglen branch

By 1911 Hamilton had moved to Strabane and was boarding with the Thompson family in house 1, Main Street, Strabane West, Co. Tyrone. He is described as a Bank Clerk. The home accommodated the father, 3 daughters, 3 boarders and 3 servants.

Belfast Bank, Strabane branch

John (father) died aged 63 on 13th September 1911 at Glencoe House, Dromore. He had been predeceased by his wife Emily who died aged 62 on 16th March 1909 at Glencoe House, Dromore. 

Hamilton initially enlisted at Lincoln, England on 10th December 1915 into the Inns of Court OTC with Service Number 82885 (?). 

Attestation Form dated 10th December 1915 

Further transfers took place throughout his army career:

• 14th April 1916 - 2nd/1st Battalion, Dorset Yeomanry (S/No. 2117 or 231152)
• 28th May 1917 - 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles (S/No. 11/326)
• dd/mm/ccyy - MT Section, Army Service Corps (S/No. 379804)
• 20th October 1918 - 21st Battalion, Tanks Corps (S/No. 317859) 

One of his Army Conduct Sheets record the following offences:

• 06/02/1917 - Failure to return off leave when ordered
• 03/08/1917 - Absent from tattoo

All of his military career was served at 'home' in the UK. He was 'Disembodied on Demobilisation' on 4th March 1919.

The Belfast Bank 'Roll of Honour' booklet records Hamilton as serving with the Dorset Yeomanry as a Trooper.

Belfast Bank - 'Roll of Honour' booklet

It is presumed that Hamilton re-joined the bank following his demobilisation.

On 25th November 1936, Hamilton applied for a duplicate discharge certificate and gave his address as 106 Birmingham Road, London, SE1. He mentions that he 'returned from America in July 1921'.

There are a few shipping passenger manifests on Ancestry that mention a Charles Hamilton, Accountant.

There is a death record on 1st January 1958 for a Charles Daniel Hamilton, 75 of 31 Denbigh Place, London SW1. This therefore gives his year of birth as 1883 (actual 27th November 1881). 

Bruce Hamilton

Charles' brother Bruce served in 'C' Company, 13th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, Service Number 16568. He was a Sergeant and was killed in action at France and Flanders on 16th August 1917. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot memorial.

Lynas, William Theodore

Officer Cadet William Theodore Lynas

Lynas was born at 56 Deramore Avenue, Belfast on 3rd February 1894 to William Henry Lynas, Lithographer and Eva Lynas nee McGee (or McGhee). They had married on 30th April 1891 at University Road Methodist Church.

In 1901 Lynas (7) lived in house 216, Ravenhill Road, Ormeau Ward, Belfast with his parents and 3 siblings; Frances Eva (8), Madeline Beatrice (5) and Norman Edward (1).

By 1911 the whole family had moved to house 3, Sandhurst Road, Cromac Ward, Belfast. William is described as a scholar.

On 'Ulster Day', 28th September 1912, (Wm T) Lynas' parents signed the Ulster Covenant and Women's Declaration at City Hall, Belfast and All Saints School, Cromac, Belfast each giving their address as 6 Sandhurst Road, Belfast. Two sisters Beatrice and Franzi also signed the Women's Declaration.

Lynas would have joined the Belfast Banking Company around 1912/13. His father signed the Bankers Guarantee.  He is recorded as working in Armagh and Londonderry branches.

Belfast Bank - Bankers Guarantee ledger sheet

Belfast Bank, Armagh branch

Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Lynas served as an Officer Cadet with the Officer Training Corps (OTC). There is no further information about his military career.

Lynas married Emily Lyttle on 2nd June 1920 at Templecarne Parish Church, Co. Donegal. His address was recorded as 3 Park Avenue, Londonderry.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Winter 1984)’ contains a photograph of Lynas in Londonderry branch in the 1930’s.

Wm T Lynas, 1930, Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Staff, 1930, Belfast Bank, Londonderry branch

Eva Lynas (mother) died aged 70 at Belfast Mental Hospital on 4th October 1936 and is buried in Dundonald Cemetery.

Lynas was in Londonderry branch when he left the Bank in 1940. 

The Derry Journal of 22nd March 1940 carried an advertisement from Messrs Bond Brothers, Auctioneers for a W T Lynas auctioning 'superior household furniture and effects' including a 'grand piano' from 1 West End Park, Derry. 

The Londonderry Sentinel of 23rd March 1940 expanded on the auction items for W T Lynas who 'is leaving the city':

Lynas died aged 47 at 58 Shandon Park, Belfast on 11th August 1941 and is buried in Dundonald Cemetery. On 14th August 1941, the Belfast News-Letter carried the following death notice that mentioned his widow Emily Lynas.

William Henry (father) died aged 85 on a 'bus at corner of Holland Drive & Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast' on 1st January 1951 and is buried with his wife Eva in Dundonald Cemetery. 58 Shandon Park was his last residence. The Belfast Telegraph published an obituary for William H Lynas. Within it were mentioned Mr H E McDowell (son-in-law) and Mr H D Simpson (grandson) indicating the two sisters Frances Eva and Madeline Beatrice married either Mr McDowell or Mr Simpson.

The PRONI wills database reports "Lynas William Henry of 58 Shandon Park Belfast lithographic artist died 1 January 1951 in a public motor vehicle at Belfast Probate Belfast 17 August to Madelaine Beatrice Simpson married woman. Effects £1219 6s. 6d."

Norman Lynas died aged 60 at 'Garnesh', Beechill Avenue, Belfast on 31st December 1960 and is buried with his brother William in Dundonald Cemetery.