Simpson, Frederick

Captain Frederick Simpson MBE (known as Fred)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Simpson was born at

on

to

Following his education, Simpson joined the bank in March 1934 at Head Office and served in Ballymote branch. 

Simpson volunteered and enlisted into the armed forces. He served as a Captain in the Gurkha Rifles in India, North-West Frontier, Burma, French Indo-China and Borneo. In recognition of his services, he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Following demobilisation, Simpson returned to the bank becoming Pro-Manger in Derry (1962) and in Dundalk (1963) branches. He stayed in Dundalk until his resignation in 1964. 

Simpson spent 4 years travelling throughout the world between 1964 and 1968 when he again returned to the bank at College Green before becoming Pro-Manager at Branches. In 1969 he was appointed Manger in Kilkenny branch.

The book 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher records a story on page 97 about a Fred Simpson in the chapter 'Managers'.  

He retired on 18th April 1977 as manager of Ballymote branch and had been a former bank inspector.

Fred Simpson (right) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Rice, Norman John

Norman John Rice (known as Norman)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Rice was born at Pier View Terrace, Holywood on 5th December 1912 to Alfred James Rice, Commission Agent and Annie Frances Rice nee Cochrane. They had married on 24th August 1908 at Holywood Church of Ireland.

Following his education at Friends' School, Lisburn and RBAI (INST), Rice joined the bank in 1934 at Head Office (Paste Room) and served in Gortin and Cork branches. 

Rice volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force. He served in Bomber Command and Training Command. The London Gazette dated 9th February 1945 records a N J Rice with service number 179599 being promoted to Flying Officer in the RAF.

After demobilisation, Rice returned to the bank to work in Donegall Place (1946) and following a period of ill-health, he returned in 1953 to Larne (Ledger-keeper) and Ballycastle (1958 - Cashier) branches. In 1970 he was appointed to Killybegs as Manager.

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

He retired from Killybegs in 1977 to live in Belfast.

Norman Rice died on 11 September 1985 leaving his widow, Joan (former Miss Joan Kiernan of Northern Bank House, Beragh) and sons, David and John. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam