Lowe, Henry Louis

Henry Louis Lowe (known as Louis)

Lowe was born in Lurgan townland, Kings County (now Co. Westmeath) on 3rd September 1907 to William George Lowe, Farmer and Gwendoline Evelyn Lowe nee Stanley. They had married on 5th June 1895 at All Saints Church of Ireland, Grangegorman, Dublin. 

The 1911 Irish Census records a Henry Louis Lowe (aged 3) residing at house 10, Lurgan, Claragh, Kings County. His parents were William George Lowe and Evangeline Emily Lowe. Henry had 3 elder brothers and an elder sister.

Following his education, Lowe joined the bank in 1926 at Arva before being transferred to Clones.

Lowe volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy and served from 1939 to 1944.

On demobilisation, Lowe returned to the bank at Athboy and then Mullingar from where he retired in an optional retirement scheme in 1957.

He married Wendy Irene Elizabeth O'Neill in 1950.

Lowe died on 30th November 1970 at his home in Tanranga, New Zealand leaving his widow and 2 sons. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Lorimer, Andrew

Flight Lieutenant Andrew Lorimer

Lorimer was born about 1913 indicating a starting age of 17 to the bank.

There are 2 Andrew Lorimer's recorded on the Irish Genealogy website:

• 12th August 1911 - Glenavy, Lisburn to Archibald Lorimer, Farmer and Mill owner and Mary Lorimer nee Hunter
  
  
• 25th May 1911 - Magherafelt to James Lorimer, Baker and Alice Lorimer nee Stanton

Following his education, Lorimer joined the bank on 30th June 1930 at Head Office.

Lorimer volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force serving with Coastal Command and later in Egypt and Ceylon with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

Andrew Lorimer died in service as Pro-Manager, Waterford branch on 5th August 1967. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Lapham, Richard Henry Baillie

2nd Lieutenant Richard Henry Baillie Lapham

Lapham was born in Lisnaskea on 13th January 1913 to Richard Caleb Lapham, Clerk in Holy Orders and Ellen Lapham nee Baillie. They had married on 19th April 1912 at St. Matthews Church of Ireland, Co. Dublin. The marriage registration records Richard as a widower. He had previously married Mary Christian on 10th February 1903 at Christ Church, Leeson Park, Church of Ireland, Dublin.

Following his education, Lapham joined the bank on 1st March 1933 at Head Office.

Lapham volunteered and enlisted into the Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and served with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. He took part in the evacuation at Dunkirk. He gained a Commission as 2nd Lieutenant. His Service Number was 179439.

Following demobilisation, Lapham returned to the bank. His pre- and post-war service was seen in Donegall Place, Markets, Aughnacloy, Mountpottinger, Cornmarket (1959 - Cashier) and Finaghy (1969 - Manager) branches.

In 1974 Lapham had a serious illness and on his recovery, in early 1975, he joined Management Services Division, Head Office.

Lapham died in service on 13th December 1977 leaving a widow, Dorothea, daughters Jennifer and Rosalind. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kirker, Norman Linden

Captain Norman Linden (Lin) Kirker

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kirker was born at Main Street, Bangor on 12th June 1910 to Isaac McNeice Kirker, Druggist and Elizabeth Jane (Lily) Kirker nee Irwin. They had married on 23rd July 1908 at Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church.

The 1911 Irish Census records Norman (0) as residing in house 87, Main Street, Bangor with his parents. Also in the house on census day were a servant, Maud Gardner (34), a nurse, Emily Smyth (19), a boarder, Mathilda Wright (19) and a visitor Edwin Dempster (30).

Following his education, Kirker joined the bank on 22nd March 1929 at Head Office in the Paste Room. Prior to the war, he worked in a number of branches, north and south.

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kirker volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Artillery. He was later to command a Battery and attained a Commission. The London Gazette reports Kirker as being promoted from Officer Cadet to 2nd Lieutenant on 25th April 1942. A further promotion to Lieutenant was reported in the London Gazette dated 8th November 1945. Kirker's service number was 232691. The Bank staff magazine reports him as rising to the rank of Captain and being 'Mentioned in Despatches'.

He married Evelyn Anna Wilson at Carlisle Memorial Church on 24th November 1942. Evelyn died on 9th June 1948 at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin North.

Following demobilisation, Kirker returned to the bank serving in South, Ranelagh, Blackrock, Pembroke (1962 - Manager) and Dalkey (1967 - Manager)

In 1949 he married Hilda Armstrong.

Kirker retired in 1974 as Manager of Dalkey branch.

The book 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher records a picture of a Lyn Kirker on page 18 in the chapter called 'Juniors'. Kirker is featured with colleagues, Jack Watson, Arthur McGloughlin and Robert Neely. At that time Kirker was serving in Dalkey branch. The photograph was taken in St Helier's, Jersey in the 1930's.

Lin Kirker (2nd from left) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Lin Kirker died at Dalkey, Dublin on 25th January 1995 leaving an estate of £21,543. he was survived by his widow, Hilda and 5 sons; David, Ian, Clifford (staff member), Roger and Brian.

The Bank staff magazine published this obituary reporting his death on 23rd January 1995:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam