Connor, William J

William J Connor (known as Bill)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Connor was born at Tobermore around 1919/20.

Following his education at Rainey Endowed School, Magherafelt and Shaftesbury Square College, Belfast, Connor joined the bank in 1937 at Head Office with later transfers to Dromore (Tyrone) and Strabane.

Connor volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force / Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (1941/46) in which he served on destroyers and participated in many landings.

Following demobilisation, Connor returned to the bank at Larne, Baggot Street, Pembroke, Naas and College Green branches.

He was later appointed as Assistant Secretary (1968), Assistant Investments Manager, Head Office (1970) and Pensions Manager (1974).

Connor married Miss Norrey Jackson of Dublin and they had a daughter, Nicky.

He retired on 28 November 1980.

Bill Connor died on 27th May 1988 leaving his widow, Norrie and daughter Nicky. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Colbert, Alexander

2nd Lieutenant Cecil Alexander Colbert

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Colbert was born in Manchester about 1910/11.

Following his education at RBAI (INST), Colbert  joined the bank on 6th May 1929 at Carlisle Circus. Later transfers took him to Head Office, Bangor and back to Carlisle Circus.

In August 1939, Colbert volunteered and enlisted into the S/L Regiment and served as a Lance Sergeant in France and Belgium. He was evacuated at Dunkirk and was later commissioned and transferred to the Pioneer Corps with the rank of Lieutenant.

The London Gazette dated 10th October 1944 records a 2nd Lieutenant Cecil Alexander Colbert being promoted from Officer Cadet with effect from 8th June 1944.  He was serving within the Northern Ireland Comm.  (Command ?). The Service Number quoted was 319943. 

On 7th August 1945, the London Gazette records 319943 2nd Lt Colbert as relinquishing his commission with effect from 30th June 1945.

Following his demobilisation, Colbert returned to the bank at Head Office with later transfers to Carlisle Circus, Shaftesbury Square and Connswater branches where he was appointed Teller (1957) and Pro-Manager (1960). In 1965 he was appointed Manager at Finaghy branch and on 30th January 1969, Manager at Crumlin Road branch. On 9th September 1969 he was appointed as an Inspector. He became Chief Inspector on 2nd May 1973.

Colbert married Miss Dorothy Bowen Henderson of Sittingbourne, Kent. 

He retired on 3rd May 1974 and later left Strangford to settle in Gosford, south England.

Alex Colbert died on 8th Match 1983 leaving his widow, Jo, his sisters Etta, Esther and May, and a wider family circle. The Bank Staff Magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

The website Worldcat records a book called "Orangefield Presbyterian Church, Belfast, 1935-1985: the story of the first fifty years in the life of Orangefield congregation" being published by Cecil Alexander Colbert in 1985. This ties in with his record address at his death; 165 Orby Drive, Belfast.

Belfast City Council record a Cecil Alexander Colbert as dying on 9th September 1992 and being buried in Dundonald Cemetery (B5 608) on 14th September 1992. He was aged 72 and was residing at 165 Orby Drive, Belfast.

Clarke, Eric Ronald

Bombardier Eric Ronald Clarke (known as Eric)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Clarke was born at Brookborough, Co. Fermanagh on 12th January 1909 to William John Clarke, Land Agents Assistant )for Lord Brookborough) and Frances Jane Clarke nee Carrothers. They had married on 30th December 1903 at Brookborough Methodist Church.

The 1911 Irish Census records Eric (2) residing in house 41, Brookborough, Co. Fermanagh with his parents and 3 siblings; Henry Osmond (6), William Norman (4) and Norah Elizabeth Mathers (0).

Following his education at Clones High School and Portora Royal School, Clarke joined the bank on 28th March 1927 at Castlerea branch. He was later transferred to Head Office, Wexford, Armagh and Enniskillen branches.

Clarke married Miss Avril McFetridge of Armagh in 1939.

In 1942, Clarke volunteered and enlisted into 77th Highland Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. He served as a Bombardier in North Africa, Italy and Greece.

Following his demobilisation, Clarke returned to the bank and served in Enniskillen and Donegall Place branches. In 1960 he was appointed to Staff Department as Chief Clerk, Assistant Staff Controller (1964) and on 1st March 1964 he was appointed Staff Controller. A redesignation to Personnel Controller came later.

Clarke is mentioned in 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher on page 274. He is described as Personnel Controller in the Personnel Division.

He retired on 27th March 1972.

Eric Clarke died on 16th April 1985 leaving a widow, Avril, his sister Elsie, brother, Sir Henry Clarke FRCS London and a wide family circle. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Calvert, Henry de la Varty

Lieutenant Henry (Harry) de la Varty Calvert

Henry de la Varty Calvert (Senior), circa. 1916, 

in British Army uniform of a regimental sergeant major.

Calvert was born in Kamptee, India (where his father was stationed) in 1913 to Henry de la Varty Calvert and Margaret Calvert (nee McVeigh).

The parents belonged to Crescent Presbyterian Church, Belfast.  Thanks to Lennon Wylie and Nigel Henderson.

Following his education, Calvert joined the Ulster Bank in 1931 at Ballinrobe branch.

He is recorded as being a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Regiment of Artillery (1940).  This follows his promotion from Officer Cadet.  His service number was 151110.

During WWII, he was captured in Crete by the Germans and held in a POW camp in Germany.

Following demobilisation after the war, Calvert continued his army career in the TA.  The London Gazette of 1956 records Lt Calvert being awarded the Efficiency Medal (Territorial).

The website Find a Grave records the details of his father, Henry de la Varty Calvert and supplies much of the rest of this biography.

Calvert married first to Ruby (Pillow) Calvert and had one son and one daughter; married second to Patricia. After the war, he served in a few Belfast branches and in 1953 was appointed Manager in Ballymoney branch. After being divorced from Ruby, he married Patricia and they spent many years in Africa where he worked as comptroller for the UK subsidiary of the US firm, A.G. Spalding & Bros., based first in South Africa and then in Lagos, Nigeria. After retiring early in 1956, he and Pat settled first in Putney Hill, London and then returned to Northern Ireland where they lived in Seahill, Craigavad, County Down. He was survived by his wife, Patricia, and his son, Peter Calvert of England and his daughter, Patricia (Calvert) Greenfield (Mrs. Michael Greenfield) of Durban, South Africa. Harry de la Varty Calvert died on 22nd November 1989 at his home in Seahill Drive, Seahill, Craigavad, County Down. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary: Bank staff magazine - courtesy Rodney Sweetnam

Burrows, Victor

Victor Burrows

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Burrows was born at Cootehill on 12th March 1915 to Samuel Burrows, Teacher and Isabella Burrows nee Lucas. They were married on 9th September 1913 at Kilmount Presbyterian Church, Co Cavan.

Following his education Cavan Royal School, Burrows joined the Ulster Bank on 15th March 1935 at Castlerea branch. Transfers to Donegall Place and Aughnacloy followed.

At the outbreak of war, Burrows volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force as he wished to train as a pilot. Unfortunately, for health reasons, he was unable to qualify for Air Crew duties.

Following demobilisation, Burrows returned to the bank at Enniskillen in 1942. Transfers followed to Trim, Kilcock, Cork (1959 - Teller), Westport (1960 - Teller) and Cork (1964 - Assistant Manager). He was appointed Manager in Donegal branch in 1967.

Burrows married a former official, Miss Evelyn Ruttle.

He retired as manager of Donegal branch.

Victor Burrows (left) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

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