Wilson, Henry Pringle Malcomson

2nd Lieutenant Henry Pringle Malcomson Wilson

Wilson was born at Strandtown, Belfast on 20th August 1888 to George Wilson, Bank Clerk and Sophia Wilson nee McKee. They had married on 144th July 1877 at Malone Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

In 1901, Wilson (12) is living in house 18, The Diamond, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry with his parents. George's occupation is Branch Bank Manager. This property was the 'Bank House'. A servant, Mary Eliza Clarke is also present.

Northern Bank, Coleraine branch & Bank House

George Wilson, banker, died on 26th September 1903 aged 53 at the Nursing Home, Lower Crescent, Belfast.

On 11th April 1905, Wilson joined Northern Bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Whitehead (1911 - Cash) and Royal Avenue (1912 - Cash, Ledgers and then Pro-Manager).  

Northern Bank, Whitehead branch

Northern Bank, Royal Avenue branch

In 1911, Wilson is living in house 39, Rugby Road, Cromac Ward, Belfast with his mother, sister Ethel Magee (b.1875) and a servant, Blanche McCullagh. The first name, Pringle is used here. He is described as a Bank Official.

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

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie

On 12th February 1916, whilst based in Royal Avenue, Wilson volunteered and enlisted into the Honourable Artillery Coy (Infantry) as a Private aged 27 with Service Number was 7017. 

He was promoted to Sergeant in 1917 before being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Henry saw service at Serre 1917, Bullecourt 1917, Malplaquet 1918 and the Allied Advance 1918. His address in the Army records was Northern Bank House, Ballymoney.

Demobilisation came in March 1919. He was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal. 

H P Wilson - Medal Index Card

H P Wilson - Medal Roll

Following demobilisation, Wilson  re-joined the Northern Bank on 1st April 1919 at Royal Avenue. Transfers followed to Ballymoney (1923 - Manager), Magherafelt (1933 - Manager), Ballynahinch (1938 - Manager) and Shaftesbury Square (1944 - Manager). 

Northern Bank, Ballymoney branch (small building in centre)]

Whilst in Magherafelt, Wilson was in the local Royal British Legion. In 1937 he unveiled a stained glass War Memorial window in the First Magherafelt Presbyterian Church.

On 30th August 1944, Margherita Heaton Wilson (Eta) was married. Eta was the 2nd daughter of Mr & Mrs H P Wilson of Northern Bank House, Ballynahinch.

Northern Bank, Ballynahinch branch & house

The Campbell College Register of Lennon Wylie records Wilson, Henry Pringle Malcolmson, b. 20th August, 1888, son of Geo. Wilson, 58 South Parade, Belfast. L.V, Dec., 1904. Bank Official. Great War: H.A.C., 2nd Lieut., 1918. Manager, Northern Bank, Magherafelt; Manager, Northern Bank, Ballynahinch, (1938-44); Manager, Shaftesbury Square, Belfast, 1944-50. Retired, 1950. Address: 30 Kensington Park, Bangor, Co. Down. (M.q.)  Acknowledgements to lennonwylie.

Northern Bank, Shaftesbury Square branch

Wilson retired on 31st May 1950 and passed away on 2nd August 1977. 

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

H P Wilson - back row, 3rd from left

H P Wilson - back row, 3rd from left]

Martin, James

Captain James Martin

Martin was born in Aghanloo, Limavady on 24th May 1880 to James Martin, Farmer and Elizabeth Martin nee McMains. They had married on 31st January 1867.

James Martin - Birth Registration - 24th May 1880

James Martin & Elizabeth McMains - Marriage Registration - 31st January 1867

My thanks go to Eileen Reid (a great-niece of James Martin) and also to Stephen McCracken for helping decipher the family name and address & also for the McMains house photo below.

The Martin family home

Martin joined Northern Bank on 16th June 1897 at Head Office.

Northern Bank, Head Office, Victoria Street, Belfast

A transfer to Downpatrick followed in 1904.

Northern Bank, Downpatrick branch

In 1901, Martin is boarding with the Keller family in house 42, Cromwell Road, Cromac Ward, Belfast. His occupation is recorded as a Bank Clerk.

By 1911 he has moved to Downpatrick and is boarding with Elizabeth Teggart in house 51, Saul Street, Downpatrick, Co. Down. He is recorded as a Bank Cashier. There is one other boarder.

On ‘Ulster Day’, Saturday, 28th September 1912, a James Martin signed the Ulster Covenant at the Assembly Hall, Downpatrick.

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

Photo courtesy of LennonWylie 

Whilst in Downpatrick, Martin, aged 35, volunteered and enlisted into the Cadet Company, 19th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles as a Private with his colleague, F W Orr and an Ulster Bank, Downpatrick official named J R Buchanan who was later to die from wounds in 1st April 1918 in a Red Cross hospital in Rouen.

Martin volunteered for the Officer Training Corps (OTC) based in Ballykinlar. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the 19th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and later promoted to Lieutenant and Acting Captain. 

Later he was posted to the 10th Bn. Royal Irish Rifles and then attached to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He saw service in Messines on 7th June 1917.

Martin received a severe gunshot wound to his right shoulder.

Demobilisation came in January 1919 when he was invalided out. He was awarded the British Victory Medal and the British War Medal.

Following demobilisation, Martin re-joined the Bank on 1st April 1919 in Downpatrick.

A transfer to Castlewellan as Manager followed in 1924. The Northern Banking Company Limited Centenary Volume 1824 to 1924 lists a J Martin as Manager of Castlewellan.

Northern Bank, Castlewellan branch

James Martin retired on 30th June 1941 and died on 3rd May 1953. He is remembered on the Roll of Honour in Downpatrick Presbyterian Church.

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

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)]