Harrison, Edwin A

Edwin A Harrison

Harrison 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.

Information Required

Please assist me by emailing gavinbamford@btinternet.com with any information that you would have on this Ulster Bank official.

Harriman, Rene W

Rene William Harriman

Harriman was born at 32 Lancefield Road, Belfast on 24th March 1911 to Frederick George Harriman,  Schoolmaster and Claire Harriman nee Philippe. 

In 1911, Harriman (0) is living in house 4, Lancefield Road, Windsor, Belfast with his parents. His grandmother, Alice also lives in the house. In addition, there is also a hospital nurse and a general domestic servant living there.

Following his education, Harriman would probably have joined the bank around 1928.

Harriman married Sybil McGowan on 25th July 1940 at Rathgar Roman Catholic Church, Dublin. His occupation is recorded on the marriage registration as 'British Army Officer'.

The Forces War Record website records a R W Harriman serving in the Royal Regiment of Artillery with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in 1941. There are other Harriman's also listed.

Hamilton, Rowan Witherow

Captain Rowan Witherow Hamilton OBE

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Hamilton was born in Manchester around 1923 to Thomas W Hamilton, Linen business and Mrs Hamilton.

Following his education at Burnage Grammar School, Manchester. He was on holiday in Ballynahinch staying with his uncle, Dr R A Hamilton when war broke out. Through his uncle, Hamilton joined the bank on 25th January 1940 and started in the Letter Department in Head Office in Waring Street, Belfast with a starting salary of £100 pa.

In April 1941, Hamilton volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse at Portrush. he went to Sandhurst in 1942 and won the 'Belt of Honour' before being commissioned into the Royal Armoured Corps. His Service Number was 243525. He was then posted to a tank regiment and served in North Africa and Italy. He was Mentioned in Despatches during the fighting which breached the Rimini-Pisa Line. When the war ended he went to Brigade and subsequently Division Headquarters as a Staff Officer, and was granted honorary rank as Captain on demobilisation.

Family members have sent this research on Hamilton's war record (with many thanks for reaching out):

He was in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in 1944 in Italy for the attack on the Gothic Line.

He was in the 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment which was converted into the 145th Regiment Royal Armoured Corps.  The 145th Regiment RAC was part of the 21st Army Tank Brigade which was part of the Canadian 1 Corp for the attack on the Gothic Line ( a German defensive line in Northern Italy) which was part of the British 8th Army (of Desert Rats fame).

16th August 1944 

 

“The main plan was to capture Ginestreto (south of Rimini) which was to be used as the forming up place for the attack on the Gothic Line.” 

 

 

As the Edmontons attacked they met stiff resistance.  One tank was hit and three of the crew were wounded and taken prisoner.

"At 2000 hrs the Edmontons, supported by three tanks, commanded by Lieuts. Douse, Mackenzie and Hamilton, put in another attack - this time successfully - and Capt Grieve, L/Cpl Taylor and Tpr Johnson were released from captivity and sent back to hospital.”

20th September 1944

 

“C Squadron moved forward to support both the Loyal Edmontons and the Seaforths for the final attack on the San Fortunato feature.  At first light the squadron was lined up in the sunken road that led to the summit.  Three enemy self propelled guns, probably “Tigers”, were reported, and the squadron had already come under fire.  The enemy put up very stiff resistance, and put down heavy fire from weapons of every calibre.  The Squadron Commander was severely wounded when he pushed forward in order to try to locate some enemy tanks holding up the advance.  Lieut. Hamilton assumed command of C Squadron. Progress was again slow.  Bitter fighting took place and Lieut. Hamilton did extremely well to retain control of the situation.  Reports came in from various sources stating that enemy tanks were very busy.  Eventually one “Tiger” was knocked out single handed by a Seaforth infantryman.”

Assuming Rowan remained in command of C Squadron:

19th October 1944 

 

“C Squadron supported the Nova Scotia Regiment (3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade) in a skirmish on the outskirts of Cesena.  One tank was hit, but no casualties were suffered.  The following morning this small town was taken by the Loyal Edmonton Regiment with troops of B and C Squadron in support.”

21st October 1944 

 

Part of a small force that probed enemy lines by performing short advances every few days.  They moved to approximately 10 miles south of Ravenna.  The enemy in the area of the airfield had become active and C Squadron fired on them.

Enemy artillery were active and firing on the Royal Canadian Dragoons.  C Squadron fired on them.

23rd October 1944

 

Assisted in recovering an abandoned German Panther tank in working order and returning it to be repaired and used as a reserve tank if needed.

The 145th Regiment was disbanded in Dec 1944/Jan 1945, so I am assuming Rowan then left the army.

I haven’t been able to track down exactly what action he was involved in to be ‘Mentioned In Despatches”.  It is most likely to be either, or both, of the first two actions.

 

Lieutenant R W Hamilton - MID Certificate

Following demobilisation in December 1946, Hamilton returned to the bank. He recorded his transfers as Corn Market (1959 - Ledger Clerk), Head Office (1960 - Controller's Assistant), Head Office (1961 - Chairman's Secretary), Head Office (1962 - Interim Manager), Crumlin Road (19xx - Manager), O'Connell Street, Dublin (1966 - Manager), Head Office (1967 - Controller), Head Office (1969 - Director of Branch Banking) and Head Office (1972 - Chief Executive).

Hamilton retired in 1982 as Chief Executive. He is recorded on many pages of 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher.

As Chief Executive, Hamilton also signed a series of Ulster Bank notes.

Rowan W Hamilton (right) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Hamilton was elected as President of the Institute of Bankers in Ireland 1972/73:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Hamilton retired from the bank in 1982 and continued his board membership in a non-executive capacity.

He was a keen sportsman and played football for the bank in 1948:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Hamilton was appointed as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE):

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Hamilton, Reginald R

Reginald R Hamilton (known as Reggie)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Hamilton was a native of Armagh and may have been born around 1924.

Following his education Hamilton joined the bank in 1941.

Hamilton volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy and achieved the rank of Leading Writer, 1943 to 1947.

Following demobilisation, Hamilton returned to the bank. Later transfers took him to Londonderry (1959 then Pro-Manager 1965), Head Office (Controller's Assistant) and Knock (1969 - Manager).

In 1952 he married Miss Doreen Walker of Armagh. They had 3 children; Michael, Janet and Mary. Both Michael and Janet became staff members.

1952 saw an appointment as Controller, North East area.

Reggie Hamilton retired on 31st March 1983.