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

Armstrong, Robert J

Robert John Armstrong (Known as RJ)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Armstrong was born at Newry to Samuel Arthur Armstrong, Merchant. He would probably have been born between 1915 and 1922 giving an age range of 17 to 24 at the start of the war in 1939.

Following his education at the Royal School, Dungannon, Armstrong entered the bank on 11th May 1928 at Ranelagh, Dublin branch. Further transfers took him to Head Office, Tuam, Castlerea, Londonderry, Head Office and College Green branches.

In September 1939, whilst at College Green branch, Armstrong volunteered and enlisted into the Anti Aircraft, Royal Artillery Regiment. He was later invalided out in the army category of 'unfit for any form of military service'. 

He returned to the bank at Blackrock branch followed by Camden Street, Mullingar and O'Connell Street branches prior to his appointment as Pro-Manager at Ranelagh branch in 1962. Promotion to Manager at Ranelagh branch came in September 1968.

Armstrongs short war service motivated him to join the Royal British Legion serving as Chairman of the Irish Metropolitan branch in 1966 and 1967. 

His banking qualifications included the Diploma of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland, Foreign Exchange and Trusteeship diplomas. He was a keen golfer representing the bank at Institute events.

He retired in 1973 as manager of Ranelagh branch.

R J Armstrong (centre) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Armstrong died on 24th March 1992 and left a widow, Olive.

Adair, Thomas K

Thomas Kilpatrick Adair (Known as Tom)

was born at 25 Crystal Drive, Belfast on 15th March 1918 to James McClements Adair, Insurance Inspector and Sarah Frances Adair nee Kilpatrick.

Following his education at Methodist College, Adair joined the Ulster Bank in April 1938 as a junior working in the Paste Room.

A photograph of him with colleagues, J K Porter, Norman Atkinson and C F R Anderson appears on page 219 of the book, 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher. Porter and Atkinson also served during the war.

A transfer to Donegal branch followed in 1939.

Adair volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force in 1941 and as a Fitter (Engineer) in Training, Fighter and Bomber Commands. He saw service for 1 year in South Africa.

Following demobilisation in 1946, Adair returned to the bank and served in 7 different branches until 1958 when he was appointed to Armagh branch becoming Pro-Manager there in 1961.

Whilst in Armagh, he was a member of Armagh Golf Club, Royal British Legion, City Club and 1st Armagh Badminton Club (Honorary Treasurer).

Adair moved to Dungannon branch as Manager on 22nd March 1967 and then Mountpottinger branch on 9th May 1969. 

He was a member of Collegians RFC and Belvoir Park Golf Club and enjoyed motoring and DIY activities.

On 5th January 1981, Adair was appointed as an Inspector.

Bank Staff Magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Adair retired on 25th March 1982. 

Tom Adair (2nd from right) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Adair died on 10th February 1996 following a long illness. He left a widow, Meta (a former official) and a son, Colin and a daughter Kathryn. 

Armstrong, John A

John A Armstrong (known as Jack)

Armstrong was born at Fivemiletown around 1906/08.

He entered the bank in 1924 at Ballymote branch with a later transfer to Connswater in 1926.

He volunteered and enlisted for war service.

Following demobilisation, he returned to the bank and in 1948 became Cashier in Lisnaskea branch. Further transfers took him onto Relief staff and then Ballymena (Cashier) in 1951.

He retired in 1957 under an 'Optional Scheme' to Portstewart where he became secretary of the local Golf Club.

Jack Armstrong died in 1976. This obituary was published in the bank staff magazine.

J A Armstrong - Obituary - Courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Balmforth, Desmond

Flying Officer Desmond Balmforth

was born at (unclear) Belfast in 1912 to George Balmforth, Wireworker and Sarah Jane Balmforth nee Sykes. The 1911 Irish Census records his parents as living in house 30, Malone Avenue, Belfast.

Following his education Desmond joined the Ulster Bank at Head Office in 1931. Subsequent moves and promotions took him to Lisburn Road, Shaftesbury Square, Donegall Place and Cornmarket branches.

The London Gazette dated 4th July 1941 records a Desmond Balmforth being promoted from Pilot Officer to Flying Officer. His service number is 81684.

In 1956, he took over responsibility for the newly-formed specialist Premises Department. he was made Manager in 1961.

Balmforth died whilst sailing at Whiterock on 26th June 1963. He was survived by his widow and 2 sons.

Balmforth is mentioned on pages 228 and 403 in the book, 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher.

Desmond Balmforth dies in service in 1963.

Belfast City Council record a Desmond Balmforth of 4 Ormonde Park, Finaghy dying on 26th June 1963 aged 51. He was buried in the City Cemetery. Within the grave are George Balmforth, Sarah Jane Balmforth, Gilbert Balmforth (brother) and Jean Balmforth (wife?).

This obituary was published in the Ulster Bank staff magazine:

Desmond Balmforth - Obituary - courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam