Walker, Samuel

Lieutenant Commander (RN) Samuel Walker (known as Sammy)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Walker was probably born around 1914 based on a bank starting age of 17.

Following his education at RBAI (INST), Walker joined the bank at Easter 1931 and worked in Crumlin Road branch.

He was a great, overall sportsman as shown in these early photos:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Walker volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse as a Trooper and very quickly was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant. He was Commissioned in 1940 and was later transferred to the Indian Army but finished the war as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy. He was 'mentioned in despatches' for an earlier action.

Sammy was also a member of the Buccaneers Rugby Football Club that was later to be disbanded due to WW2.

 

A BBC History website mentions Sammy Walker in an article recalling the WW2 service of a friend, Nolan Johnston. 

After demobilisation, Walker returned to the bank. He accepted early retirement in a voluntary retirement scheme and left Donegall Place branch in 1957.

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher features a Sammy Walker on pages 257 and 258 in an article on 'Ulster Bank at Leisure'.  Walker took part in a comedy routine with his colleague Ken Hobson. Walker is also recorded as being at the height of his rugby international career.

Sammy Walker died on 20th January 1972 aged 59. The bank staff magazine published this lengthy obituary and appreciation:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam