Hegan, Hugh Leslie

Hugh Leslie Hegan (known as Hugh)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Hegan was born at Rathfriland on 19th January 1911 to William Hegan, Blacksmith and Jane Hegan nee Scott. Later on, the family moved to Belfast where he attended the Belfast Royal Academy.

Hegan joined the bank on 20th March 1933 at Head Office and then Sligo as a 'Learner' (Junior).

On 2nd November 1940 he volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force and did his initial training in Blackpool. As a Corporal Fitter, he specialised in the maintenance of Hurricane and Spitfire fighters he was posted to the Middle East, serving in Sudan, Egypt and Khartoum. 

Following the end of the war, he was discharged from the RAF on 30th December 1945 and returned to the bank in Head Office on Relief Staff. Further transfers followed to Donegall Place (Ledgers - 1960), Woodstock Road (Ledgers & Cashier - 1961), Ballynahinch (Cashier - 1967) and Stewartstown (Manager - 1969).

Hegan married Miss Geraldine Reid Osborne of Belfast.

Hegan retired from Stewartstown on 19th January 1978 and settled in Ballynahinch with his family.

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Hugh Hegan at his home in The Spa, Ballynahinch died on 14th January 1986 leaving a widow, Geraldine and 2 sons, Hugh and Mark.

Some of the above information was kindly supplied by family member Mark Hegan who knew him as Leslie.

Hayes, Thomas J

Thomas James Hayes (known as Tommy)

Hayes was born at Carrickart, Co Donegal about 1904 to Thomas J Hayes, Clerk in Leitrim Estates Office (1911) and Mary Catherine Hayes.

In 1911 Tommy (6) was living in house 19, Carrickart, Co. Donegal with his parents and 2 sisters; Bridget Mary (9) and Mary Eleanor Theresa (8). A domestic servant and 2 visitors were also in the property.

Following his education, Hayes joined the bank on 20th December 1921.

Hayes volunteered and enlisted into the armed forces.

Following demobilisation, Hayes returned to the bank. He was appointed Pro-Manager in Sligo branch in 1956 and Manager in Ferbane branch in 1958.

Hayes retired on 6th August 1967 as manager of Ardee branch.

Tommy Hayes died on 22nd February 1975 and was survived by his widow, Patricia and sons, Richard and Peter. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Ferguson, Matthew

Matthew Ferguson

Ferguson was probably born around 1917 / 1921.

Following his education, Ferguson joined the Ulster Bank.

The Forces War Records website records a M Ferguson serving with the Royal Regiment of Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1941.

Edgar, Leslie J S

Leslie J S Edgar

Edgar 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.

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Dickson, Thomas

Thomas Dickson

Dickson was probably born around 1917 / 1921.

Following his education, Dickson joined the Ulster Bank.

The Forces War Records website records a Thomas Dickson serving with the Royal Ulster Rifles as a Lance Corporal in 1943.

Davis, Robert

Robert Davis

Davis 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.

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Crowe, Maurice F

Maurice F Crowe

Crowe 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.

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Coulter, Herbert S

Herbert S Coulter

Coulter 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.

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Caldwell, Thomas H

Thomas H Caldwell


Caldwell 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.

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Broadberry, Desmond H R

Flight Lieutenant Desmond Harry Russell Broadberry

Broadberry was born on 28th December 1919 to George Russell Broadberry and Eleanor Jane May Broadberry nee May. They were married on 4th May 1910 at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Rathmines, Co. Dublin. In 1911, the parents lived in house 37, Hollybank Avenue, Rathmines & Rathgar East, Dublin.

Following his education, Desmond joined the bank probably around 1936/37 based on a joining age of 17.

Broadberry volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force (VR) with service number 1065760.

Promotions followed to Pilot Officer (1941) with service number 108146 to Flying Officer (1942) followed by Flight Lieutenant (1943) followed by the substantive rank of Flight Lieutenant backdated to 01/09/1945. 

Atkinson, Norman D

2nd Lieutenant Norman Duncan Atkinson

Atkinson was born at 31 Ashley Avenue, Belfast on 26th July 1919 to George Duncan Atkinson, Methodist Clergyman and Florence Margaret Atkinson nee Hutchinson. They were married on 1st July 1914 at St. Peters Methodist Church, Phibsborough, Dublin.

Following his education, Norman joined the Ulster Bank and first served as a junior working in the Paste Room (c. 1938).

A photograph of him with colleagues, J K Porter, T K Adair and C F R Anderson appears on page 219 of the book, 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher. Adair and Porter also served during the war.

The website Forces War Records details a N D Atkinson who served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1941.

If Atkinson had continued his army career into the TA after the war, then it is possible that the following Atkinson is the same person.

The London Gazette of 16th October 1965 records a 2nd Lieutenant N D Atkinson with Service Number 473673 being confirmed as 2nd Lieutenant with effect from April 1963 and being promoted to Lieutenant in September 1965. He was serving with the Royal Corps of Signals.

Anderson, Robert B

Robert B Anderson

Anderson 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.

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