Brown, George Chambers

Flight Lieutenant George Chambers Brown

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Brown was born at 10 Rossmore on 20th December 1909 to John Brown, Dispatch Clerk and Maggie Brown nee Robinson. They had married on 17th February 1909 at Whitehead Presbyterian Church.

Following his education at RBAI (INST), Brown joined the bank in 1929 in the Foreign Department (Staff 3). He continued to study economics at Queen's University Belfast and finished his degree in 1934, after he had passed all the Institute of Bankers examinations.

After 3 years in Foreign Department, Brown was transferred to the Letter Department until the outbreak of war in 1939.

In 1938 Brown volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Following his 'call up', he later served with RAF Bomber Command gaining the rank of Flight Lieutenant. He flew from August 1940 to November 1940 when, as he says "landed in Germany without a return ticket". He spent 4 1/2 years as a Prisoner of War and attempted to escape once. He also assisted 'underground' with the 'Wooden Horse' escapers.

Following his demobilisation, Brown returned to the bank and re-joined Foreign Department in September 1945. Promotion came in 1953 when he was appointed Assistant Accountant at Head Office. Further promotions to Chief Accountant (1959) and Financial Controller (14th August 1969) followed.

Brown married Miss Lois Notley of Oxford in 1945. She had also served in the Forces. They had 2 sons.

Brown was Secretary of the Northern Irenad Bankers' Association since 1965.

A George Brown is mentioned on pages 274, 307 and 309 to 310 of 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher. Brown had worked in the Financial Control Division and also as Chief Accountant.

Retirement came in xxxx.

Brown died on 18th April 1996 leaving a widow, Lois and 2 sons. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam