McWilliams, Victor Norman West

Sergeant Victor Norman West McWilliams (known as Victor)

was born in Holywood on 8th September 1911 to James McWilliams, Excise Officer and Edith McWilliams nee Murphy. They had married on 26th October 1910 at Corboy Presbyterian Church, Longford.

Mrs McWilliams is recorded as staying at the Silverton Hotel, The Hill, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.  Another recorded address is 37 Princetown Road, Bangor, Co. Down.

Following his education McWilliams joined the bank in 1930 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Enniskillen. Donegall Place and Ranelagh branches.

McWilliams volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse. The Lennon Wylie website records a Sergeant Victor (Vic) N W McWilliams as serving with the North Irish Horse in Singapore. His service number was 7897569.

After demobilisation, McWilliams returned to the bank and served in South (1951 - Assistant, 1960 - Teller, 1967 - Pro-Manager), College Green (1972 - Branches Pro-Manager).

Victor McWilliams died, in service, on 15th August 1973 and left a widow, Nancy and family, Elizabeth, Andrew, Simon, Eric, Avril and Honor. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Mary Lennon of the LennonWylie website has kindly let me use some of her McWilliams photographs.

 

McMichael, James

James McMichael

McMichael was born about 1924 based on joining the bank at 17.

Following his education, McMichael joined the bank om 23rd June 1941 at Head Office.

McMichael volunteered and enlisted into the armed forces.

After demobilisation, McMichael returned to the bank. In 1966 he was appointed Pro-Manager in Markets branch followed by Assistant Inspector in 1968 and Manager in Markets in 1969.

McKeown, Robert JohnWilson

Gunner Robert John Wilson McKeown (known as Robert)

McKeown was born at Drumaghlis, Co. Down on 9th July 1915 to  John McKeown, Farmer and Nicolina McKeown nee Wilson. They had married on 9th April 1914 at Kilmore Presbyterian Church.

A later address is recorded; Ashleigh, Rademon, Crossgar, Co. Down.

Following his education, McKeown joined the bank in 1936 at Head Office.

McKeown volunteered and enlisted into the Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and served in South East Asia Command. 

The Lennon Wylie website records a Gunner R J W McKeown with service number 1835220 enlisting on 5th August 1941 into the 23rd Battery, 8th Belfast HAA, Royal Regiment of Artillery. The same site records a Mrs McKeown receiving 2 copies of a 23rd Battery Memorial Brochure.

McKeown served in a number of branches prior to his retirement, for health reasons, in 1959.

Robert McKeown died in a Manchester hospital on 9th May 1974 and left a widow, Kathleen. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McIlwaine, Samuel G

Major Samuel G McIlwaine

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McIlwaine was born at 'Clonlee', Larne on 11th February 1912 to Robert McIlwaine, Sea Captain and Maggie McIlwaine nee Brown. they had married on 18th June 1906 at Larne Presbyterian Church.

Following his education, McIlwaine joined the bank on 21st March 1930 at Head Office.

McIlwaine volunteered and enlisted into the S/L Regiment, Royal Artillery and served with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. He was Commissioned and posted to an Anti-Aircraft Regiment with the acting rank of Major. He later joined the Indian Army and served in Burma.

The Forces War Record website records a S McIlwaine serving with the Royal Regiment of Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1940.

After demobilisation, McIlwaine returned to the bank and served in several branches until his appointment in 1962 as Pro-Manager in Dun Laoghaire branch. He was appointed as Manager in Longford branch in 1967 and later Manager of Dun Laoghaire branch in 1969.

A Sam McIlwaine is mentioned on page 253 of the book by Lyn Gallagher, 'The Ulster Bank Story'. She records that McIlwaine was a rugby player who played at times for the Ulster bank side in the Institute (of Bankers) Cup. 

McIlwaine retired on 20th march 1975. He was married to the former Miss Elsie M Joyce of Dublin and they had 2 daughters, Patricia and Diana.

Samuel McIlwaine dies at his home in Glenageary, Co. Dublin on 7th January 1982. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McElroy, Thomas G S H

Thomas George S H McElroy (known as George)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McElroy was born in Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa. 

Following his education at Banbridge Academy, McElroy joined the bank in 1941 at Monaghan branch.

McElroy volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Ulster Rifles (1942 to 1947) and served in the Middle East and Austria. He held a Commission.

After demobilisation, McElroy returned to the bank at Lisburn branch. Further transfers took him to Crumlin Road, Corn Market (1961 - Teller) and Newry (1967) branches. In 1970 McElroy was appointed as Pro-Manager in Armagh branch. The following year saw a further promotion to Assistant Inspector of Branches.

George McElroy is mentioned on page 266 of the book by Lyn Gallagher, 'The Ulster Bank Story'.  She records that McElroy was an outstanding hockey player making 39 appearances for Ireland when fixtures were few and then playing for a British Isles team in 1951.  He was a member of Banbridge Hockey Club.

George McElroy retired on 15th March 1985.

He died in 19xx. The Ulster Hockey website records an obituary for McElroy:

"Ulster Hockey has learned of the sad passing of George McElroy.

Over many years he made a massive contribution to hockey in Ulster, particularly with Banbridge Hockey Club. George played at international level for eleven years winning 39 Irish caps and also a place on the Great Britain team for the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.

On behalf of the Ulster Hockey community we express our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to George's family, extended family and friends."

McElderry, Edward John

Edward John McElderry

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McElderry was born at Dublin Road, Drogheda on 30th January 1913 to John Henry McElderry, Manager, Spinning Mills and Ina Amy Alice McCoubrey nee Symes. They had married on 12th January 1911 at St. Peter's Church of Ireland, Drogheda.

This website records the family of a John Henry McElderry who married an Ina Symes and had 3 children, Neville, Tom and Edward. 

Note:  His brother was Victor Neville McElderry (born 1926) when the family were living in 7 Kirklistown Gardens, Belfast. The website Soham Grammar records an article by Neville McElderry.

The 1911 Irish Census records a John Henry McElderry and a Mrs Ina Amy Alice McElderry residing in house 10, Dublin Road, St. Laurence Gate, Louth (probably Drogheda).  They have no family.

McElderry was educated at Campbell College until 1924 when he moved to Bangor Grammar School and then on to RBAI (INST). The Lennon Wylie website records the following for him:

1900. McElderry, Edward John (E), b. 30th January, 1913, son of J. H. McElderry, Moyola, Donaghadee Road, Bangor, Co. Down.   Brother of 3037. II, July, 1924. Bangor Grammar School, 1924-29. R.B.A.I., 1929-31.   1939-45 War: R.A.   Bank Official. Address: 5 Ardmore Terrace, Holywood, Co. Down. (M.q.)

Following his education, McElderry joined the bank on 22nd April 1931 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Shankill and Knock branches.

McElderry volunteered and enlisted into the S/L Regiment, Royal Artillery with the rank of Gunner. He served with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France and was evacuated at Dunkirk. Later he served in Belgium and Germany with the rank of Lance Bombardier.

After demobilisation, McElderry returned to the bank and served in Shaftesbury Square, Head Office, Longford, Castlepollard, (1957 - Cashier) Cavan (1962 - Cashier/Pro-Manager) and Edgesworthstown (1967 - Manager) branches. In 1969 he was appointed as Manager in Trim branch.

Edward McElderry retired in April 1976 and went to live in Banff, Scotland with his wife.

He died on 14th May 1991. His wife had pre-deceased him. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McCully, Thomas Andrew

Thomas Andrew McCully (known as Tom)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McCully was born at 'Seaview', Tamneymore, Londonderry  on 30th January 1915 to Frederick William McCully, Merchant and Minnie McCully nee Walsh. They were married14th July 1910 at Rathmullan Presbyterian Church, Co. Donegal.

Following his education at RBAI (INST), McCully joined the bank in 1934 at Head Office and was later transferred to Garvagh branch in 1934.

McCully volunteered and enlisted into the armed services.

Following demobilisation in 1946, McCully returned to the bank and served in Crumlin Road, Relief staff (1949), Omagh (1949), Castlewellan (1956 - Cashier) branches. After helping Newcastle sub-office attain full branch status, he was appointed Assistant Manager in Downpatrick branch in 1967.

Later on, McCully married the former Miss Thelma Maple of Barnes, London and had a family of 3, Rosemary Ann, Malcolm A and David N (staff member).  

Thelma McCully, courtesy of Anne McCully (daughter in law) via a Facebook group

Tom McCully retired on 28th February 1979.

McCoubrey, William Fulton Kerr

Flying Officer William Fulton Kerr McCoubrey

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McCoubrey was born at Glarryford, Ballymena in 1918.   

Following his education at Ballymena Academy, McCoubrey joined the bank at Head Office on 24th March 1937. Transfers followed to Kircubbin (1939), Downpatrick (1941) and Connswater (1941).

McCoubrey volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force VR with service number 1483495.  Promotions to Sergeant followed. The London Gazette records his promotions:

• 27th March 1945 promoted to Pilot Officer with the service number of 191438 as of 11th December 1944
• 6th July 1945 promoted from Pilot Officer to Flying Officer as of 11th June 1945. 

He was attached to Coastal Command and later served in Norway, Europe, North Africa, Middle East and India.

Following demobilisation in 1946, McCoubrey returned to the bank at Coleraine branch. He was moved to  Banbridge branch (1957) where he was appointed Pro-Manager in 1966. In 1968 he was appointed to Castlewellan as Manager. A further transfer was made in 1972 to Knock branch as Manager where he stayed until his retirement in 1980.

A couple of pictures of McCoubrey are on pages 91 and 126 of the book 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher.  He is quoted as being the manager of Castlewellan branch between the years 1968 to 1972.  McCoubrey also appeared in a BBC Schools broadcast that was made in 1972. 

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

William McCoubrey die don 24th November 1982 and was survived by his widow, Esmee and sons, Christopher and Richard (also in bank service). The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Maxwell, William

William Maxwell

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Maxwell was born at Kirkcubbin (now Kircubbin) on 31st July 1908 to William Lowry Maxwell, Merchant and Mary Maxwell nee Gunning. They had married on 27th September 1906 at Cloughey Presbyterian Church, Co. Down.

Following his education at Coleraine Acedemical Institution, Maxwell joined the bank in 1928 and served in Dungannon, O'Connell Street, College Green, Head Office and Sligo branches.

Maxwell volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy and served for 4 years.

On demobilisation, Maxwell returned to the bank. Transfers followed to Edenderry (1957 - Cashier and then 1961 - Manager).

A photograph of Maxwell appears on page 97 in the book 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher.  Maxwell was the manager of Edenderry branch between 1961 to 1973.  The photograph was taken in 1964.

William Maxwell died on 26th June 1981 and was survived by his widow, Jenny. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam