Introduction

Introduction

Following on from the success of my Northern Bank War Memorials website, I undertook in 2013/14 similar research on the Ulster Bank officials who served in World War 2.

After the sale of the Ulster Bank Head Office in Waring Street, Belfast, the following important pieces of Ulster Bank Heritage were re-installed in a new location on walls in the staff entrance to the new Ulster Bank building in Donegall Square East, Belfast:

The World War 2 – Roll of Honour / War Memorial – Ulster Bank

These memorials, consisting of Bronze plaques feature those officials from the bank who served, went missing in action, died or were killed in either of the two conflicts.

The opportunity is being taken now to catalogue the information thereon and make that information public via internet searches.

Of the 120 men who volunteered and enlisted, 12 were reported as killed in action.

I had considered undertaking research and presenting on the Great War men who served. It is with much pleasure that I commend the new RBS website - NatWest Group Remembers .

I trust that you will find my site both interesting and informative.

My thanks must go to Rodney Sweetnam, a retired Ulster Bank staff member, who retained and catalogued the bank staff magazines. He came across this website, contacted me in late 2022 and sent me photographs of any references to the men listed here. The various promotion, retirement and obituary articles supplied me with photographs, full names, bank career information, wartime career information and family information. 

Thank you.

Gavin Bamford

+44 (0) 7510 287 981 

gavinbamford@btinternet.com

16th April 2023

We Will Remember Them

 

The following section of text is taken from 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher.

War and Peace 1927 - 1955

Page 202 - Circular to Managers by William Fullerton dated 5th September 1939:

"It is unnecessary for us to stress the seriousness of the position in which the Nation is now placed.  Great sacrifices will unquestionably be required from every one of us and we are sure the members of our Staff will do their best to help us to carry on the the work of the Bank successfully through the trying times which lie before us".

The following poem is by Laurence Robert Binyon, 1869-1943

For The Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Acknowledgements to The Western Front Association website.