Allen, Samuel E T

Major Samuel Ernest T Allen (known as Ernest)

was born at Methodist Manse, Church Street, Magherafelt on 12th July 1905 to Samuel Allen, Methodist Clergyman and Elizabeth Anne Allen nee Vance.

The 1911 Irish Census records Samuel Ernest (F) Allen (5) residing in house 96, Main Street, Dundrum, Co. Down with his parents and 4 siblings; Mary Kathleen E (14), Edward Victor D (13), Edith Leonora Vance (10) and Charles Clifford (8). The 'F' may be transcribed incorrectly as it looks like a 'T' on the original document. Acknowledgements to the Irish National Archives.

He was educated at Methodist College where he became Head Boy and Captain of the Rugby 1st XV playing for Ulster Schools.

Following his education, Allen joined the Ulster Bank at Head Office on 28th December 1923 and was transferred to Bangor branch in 1925. He was cashier at that branch from 1935.

Allen volunteered and enlisted in January 1939 into the Supplementary Reserve, Royal Artillery (Territorial Army). He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in April 1939 and 'called up' for war service in August 1939.

The London Gazette records a Lieutenant (War Substantive Captain) S E T Allen with service number 88995 relinquishing his commission on 23rd April 1949 and being granted the honorary rank of Major.

The London Gazette of 6th March 1956 reported that on 9th March 1956, the Queen has been graciously pleased to confer the award of the Army Emergency Reserve Decoration (ERD) upon Capt. (Hon. Maj) S E T Allen (88995) Retired.

The bank staff magazine published this group photo that included Allen:

Ernest Allen (2nd from right) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Lyn Gallagher in her book, 'The Ulster Bank Story' records him as being known as 'The Corporal' and as being one of the most redoubtable figures in Ulster Bank for half a century, managing Shaftesbury Square and Donegall Place.

The book also records the legendary S E T Allen as being a cashier serving both Queen's University and Stranmillis College. He is pictured on page 277 of the same book at the opening in 1974 of the new branch building at Donegall Place.

In 1939 Allen married Miss Elizabeth A Leitch of Broomhill Park, Belfast. They have 2 sons, Vance and Mark. The website lennonwylie reports a David William Vance Allen who was born on 5th July1940, son of S E T Allen, 117 Malone Road, Belfast as being a pupil of Campbell College, Belfast. 

Following demobilisation, Allen returned to the bank and was appointed Cashier at Shaftesbury Square branch. Future transfers took him to York Street (1954 - Pro-Manager), Shaftesbury Square (1955 - Pro-Manager), Inspection staff (1956), Shaftesbury Square (1958 - Manager) and Donegall Place (1961 - Deputy Manager & 1962 - Manager).

Allen retired from the bank on 30th April 1968 and took up ma position of Industrial Liaison Officer with the task of smoothing the re-location of the new £77m ring road responsible to R Travers Morgan & partners (NI) working in close co-operation with the Belfast Corporation. [Authors note: the troubles stopped much of the planned motorways around Belfast].

Allen died on 30th July 1988 leaving a widow, Betty and two sons, Vance and Mark. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Obituary - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam