Workman, Samuel

Samuel Workman

Workman was 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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Withrington, John H S

Major John Henry Scott Withrington

Withrington was born at 125 Rathgar Road, Dublin on 4th August 1911 to George Withrington )*), Bank Official and Anna Eleanor Withrington nee McDade. They had married on 8th June 1910 at the Methodist Church registered in Dublin South.

Following his education, Withrington joined the bank probably around 1928 based on a joining age of 17.

The Forces War Record website records a J H S Withrington as serving in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in 1944 as a 2nd Lieutenant.

The London Gazette records:

• 19th May 1944 Withrington (service number 14408775) being promoted to 2nd Lieutenant with service number 312437.
• 29th January 1952 records a Lt (War Subs. Capt.) J H S Withrington relinquishing his commission and being granted the honorary rank of Major.

(*) The Ulster Bank Story by Lyn Gallagher records a George Withrington (on page 251) as being a member of staff of the College Green branch in 1890s (photo also in book). George eventually became manager of that branch.

Wallace, Thomas V

Thomas V Wallace

Wallace was probably born around 1917 / 1920.

Following his education, Wallace joined the bank.

The Forces War Record website records a T V Wallace serving in the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) as a Private in 1945.

The Belfast City Council website records a Thomas Victor Wallace of 1 Marmont Crescent as dying on 1st July 1962 aged 49 (giving a birth year of 1913). His parents were Jeremiah Thomas Wallace and Elizabeth Wallace.

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Ussher, James N B

Major James Neville Butler Ussher (known as Neville)

Ussher was born at Darling Street, Enniskillen on 23rd February 1916 to James Ussher, Bank Manager (Ulster Bank) and Eva Olive Ussher nee Reid. They had married on 15th June 1904 at Cahans Presbyterian Church, Ballybay, Co. Monaghan.

Following his education, Ussher joined the bank around 1933 based on a joining age of 17. 

 

The Sandhurst website records J N B Ussher as a Cadet in 1940. 

The Forces War Records website records a J N B Ussher serving with the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards in 1940 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and with the Inniskilling Dragoon Guards in 1945 as a Major.

 

The London Gazette records a Capt. J N B Ussher with service number 165939 in November 1945. He was 'Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North-West Europe'

 

On 12th January 1942, Neville married Rosemary Joyce Adams in Abington Church, Northampton.  

After demobilisation, it is thought that Ussher returned to the bank.

Ussher died in 1998 with his death being registered in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England. He is buried in St. Etheldreda Churchyard, Horley, Cherwell District, Oxfordshire, England.

Courtesy of Find a Grave website

Thompson, Thomas Burnett

Captain Thomas Burnett Thompson (known as Tommy)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Thompson was born at Ballymather, Killead, Co. Antrim on 18th November 1908 to Joseph Thompson, Blacksmith and Sarah Thompson nee Barnett. They had married on 18th May 1899 at Templepatrick Presbyterian Church.

Following his education, Thompson joined the bank on 21st May 1928 at Head Office and then Trim, Dungannon, Dromore (Co. Tyrone) and Cornmarket branches.

Thompson volunteered and enlisted into the Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and served with them in France. he was Commissioned into the Royal Pioneer Corps and served with them in North Africa and Italy in the rank of Captain.

After demobilisation in 1945, Thompson returned to the bank and worked in Carlisle Circus, Shaftesbury Square (1958), Carlisle Circus (1961 - Pro-Manager) and Draperstown (1966 - Manager).

Thompson retired on 18th May 1973 from Draperstown branch.

Tommy Thompson died on 27th March 1981 leaving his widow, Evelyn and sons, Alan and Stephen. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Swan, David Ernest

Major David Ernest Swan (known as David)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Swan was born in the Enniskillen area on 15th May 1914 to William Swan, Farmer and Edith Swan nee Breen. They had married on 11th December 1912 at St. Anne's Parish Church of Ireland, Belfast.

Following his education at Portora Royal School, Enniskillen, Swan joined the bank on 8th August 1934 at Head Office followed by Longford branch in 1938.

Swan volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Artillery and served overseas in the rank of Major.

After demobilisation in 1946, Swan returned to the bank at Bangor, Dromore (Co. Tyrone - 1959), Kircubbin (1960 - Cashier), Omagh (1963 - Pro-Manager), Kircubbin (1968 - Manager)

He married the former Miss Alice L Simpson of Belfast and they had 2 daughters, Alison E and Dr Elizabeth J.

Swan retired on 30th April 1979.

David Swan died on 13th August 1995. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

 

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Stewart, Robert Hugh

Robert Hugh Stewart (known as Robert)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Stewart was born about 1912 based on his university education and joining the bank at about 20.

Following his education at Skegoneill Public Elementary School, Belfast and Queen's University, Stewart joined the bank on 1st June 1932 at Head Office followed by a transfer to Maghera in 1934 and Carlisle Circus (1934) branches.

In 1943, Stewart volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy and served as a Writer.

After demobilisation, Stewart returned to the bank at Head Office (1946), Stock & Share Department (1947), Clogher (1957), Newtownhamilton (1962 - Cashier) and Ballycastle (1967 - Manager) branches. 

Stewart was married to the former Miss May Cuthbertson of Londonderry.

He retired from Ballycastle branch on 31st July 1975.

Robert Stewart died on 30th June 1994. His wife, May pre-deceased him. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Stewart, Alexander

Major Alexander Stewart (known as Alex)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Stewart was born at Letterkenny on 22nd April 1913 to Robert Stewart, Chemist and Jane Stewart nee McAlister. They had married on 15th June 1909 at Dungannon Presbyterian Church. 

Following his education at the Royal School, Dungannon, Stewart joined the bank on 15th June 1932 at Strabane, Head Office and Donegall Place branches.

Stewart volunteered and enlisted into the S/L Regiment, Royal Artillery and later with the Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. He served first with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France and later in France and Germany. He was Commissioned and rose to the rank of Major. He was 'Mentioned in Despatches'.

In 1940, Stewart married the former Miss Ida Lamberton of Fahan, Co. Donegal and they had 2 children, Robin and Jane.

Following demobilisation, Stewart returned to the bank in 1945 at Coleraine, Rathfriland (1958 - Cashier), Antrim (1962 - Manager) and Portadown (1967 - Manager) from where he retired on 14th June 1975.

 

Alex Stewart (right) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Alex Stewart die don 9th July 1998 leaving his children, Robin and Jane. His wife Ida pre-deceased him in 1984. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Stephens, Robert

Robert Stephens

Stephens was probably born around 1917 / 1920.

The 1911 Irish Census records a number of Robert Stephens who are aged between 1 and 3.  There is a Robert Stephens (aged 1) residing at house 1, Market Street, Downpatrick. His parents are John Samuel Stephens (36 - Banker) and Margaret Alexander Stephens.

Following his education, Stephens joined the bank.

The Forces War Record website records a number of R Stephens or Robert Stephens.

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Stevenson, Samuel R

Samuel R Stevenson

Stevenson 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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Steele, William Denis Fisher Steele

William Denis Fisher Steele

Steele was born at Ulster Bank House, Maghera on 18th March 1910 to William Steele, Bank Manager and Mary Lilian Elizabeth Steele nee Fisher. They had married on 14th November 1901 at Knockloughrim Church of Ireland, Maghera.

Following his education, Steele joined the bank on 9th April 1929 at Maghera branch (while his father was Manager there). A transfer to Ballymoney followed in 1931. He was appointed Assistant there in 1933. He was then transferred to Lisburn in 1941.

Steele volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy in October 1941. He took part in teh illustrious raid on Dieppe.

After demobilisation in January 1946, Steele returned to the bank and worked in Head Office, Coleraine (1949 - Assistant), Castlederg (1949 - Ledger keeper), Head Office (1950), Ballynahinch (1950) and Dromore, Co. Tyrone (1956 - Cashier), Ballyconnell (1963 - Manager) and Cookstown (1966 - Manager).

The website Cookstown Chamber of Commerce records a W D F Steele, amongst others meeting on 4th February 1974 to explore the possibility of forming a Chamber of Commerce.

Steele died on 10th August 1992 leaving a widow and family circle. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Spence, George Kenneth

Lieutenant (RN) George Kenneth Spence MBE (known as George)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Spence was a native of Maralin, Lurgan and was born around 1923 based on  joining the bank at 17.

Following his education at Lurgan College, Spence joined the bank on 8th February 1940 at Head Office.

Spence volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy in 1941. He gained a Commission as a Lieutenant and commanded a Motor Torpedo Boat. The London Gazette published his promotions:

• 12th June 1942 - promoted to Temporary Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR).
  
  
• 15th December 1944 - promoted to Temporary Lieutenant in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR).

After demobilisation, Spence returned to the bank and worked in Portadown, Head Office, Dromore (Co. Down), Portadown (1967 - Pro-Manager) and Dungannon (1969 - Manager).

Spence was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1981.

He married the former Miss Anne Sholdis of Lurgan and they had 2 sons, Edwin (staff Member) and Kenneth.

He retired on 28th February 1982.

Smyth, Frederick M

Lieutenant Frederick Nixon Smyth

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Smyth was born at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada (about 1917) to Alex Smyth and E A Smyth. After a time living in Seattle, USA the family moved to Comber, Co. Down.

Following his education at Roosevelt High School, Seattle, Regent House, Newtownards and Garvey College, Belfast, Smyth joined the bank on 7th March 1934 at Head Office. followed by Carrickmacross and Derry (1938) branches.

Smyth volunteered and enlisted into the armed forces. He served with the Royal Indian Army Service Corps and served in India and Burma as a Transport Officer with the rank of Lieutenant.

After demobilisation, Smyth returned to the bank at College Green followed by Ranelagh (1957). He was appointed as Pro-Manager at Monaghan branch in 1966 and then Manager at Belturbet branch in 1967.

He is married to the former Miss Mary Harrison of Holywood and they had 2 sons, Ian and David.

Smyth retired on 16th July 1977.

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Smith, Alexander

Alexander Smith

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Smith was a native of Belfast. Following his education at RBAI (INST), Smith joined the bank in 1932 at Ranelagh branch.

Smith volunteered and enlisted into the armed forces.

After demobilisation, Smith returned to the bank at College Green, Camden Street, Dundalk, O'Connell Street (1967 - Pro-Manager & 1973 - Assistant Manager).

He married the former Miss Jennie Higgins of Killegney, Co. Wexford.

Smith retired on 17th August 1977.