Grant, James W

Major James Walter Grant (known as Walter)

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Grant was born on 3rd May 1910 to Albert Grant, Bank Official and Emily Margaret Grant nee Martin. They had married on 6th June 1909 at Union Chapel, St Thomas Presbyterian Church, Dublin.

In 1911 Albert (0) is living in house 77, Ballymaconnell Town, Co. Cavan with his parents. Albert records his career as a bank cashier. He retired as a Director of the bank in 1951.

The Lennon Wylie website records J W Grant as being educated in Campbell College, Belfast.

1963 *Grant, James Walter (E), b. 3rd May, 1910, son of Albert Grant, Ulster Bank, Cromac Street, Belfast. Brother of 2052 and 2123. U.VI, April, 1928. 1st XV, 1927-28. Ulster Bank Official. 1939-45 War: Capt., R.U.R. Address: 31 Adelaide Park, Belfast.

Following his education, Grant joined the bank in 1928 at Markets, Belfast branch.

In 1940 Grant volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Ulster Rifles. He subsequently transferred to the London Irish Rifles and served with them in North Africa in 1942. He commanded a Company with the rank of Major and was seriously wounded in an encounter with German forces in that area. He became a Prisoner of War in Italy and remained there for 8 months until he was released at the time of the allied invasion of that country.

The Forces War Records website lists a J W Grant as serving in the Royal Ulster Rifles in 1940 as a 2nd Lieutenant.

The London Gazette of 2nd September 1941 records a J W Grant with service number 122435 being promoted to Lieutenant wef 27th August 1941.

The London Gazette of 6th April 1948 records Lt Grant relinquishing his commission as of 28th August 1947 and being granted the honorary rank of Captain.  He is recorded as serving then as Lt and Paymaster in the Royal Army Pay Corps.

Following his demobilisation, Grant returned to the bank at Lisburn Road branch with transfers following to Head Office (Assistant Inspector - 1950, Assistant Manager - 1956), Waring Street (Assistant Manager - 1957), Coleraine (Manager - 1960), Shaftesbury Square (Manager - 1961) and Donegall Place (Manager - 1968).

Grant married Irene Smyth of Magherafelt in 1959 and had 3 children; Christine, David and John.

In 1969 he was appointed Area Manger, North-East Area, based at Canada House. Albert Grant, father, was an honoured guest with Walter Grant at one of the bank board meetings.

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Grant retired from the bank in 1975 and a reception with presentation was held on 18th April 1975 at the Reform Club, Belfast. The Bank staff magazine published this account of the event:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam