Affiliation with History Hub Ulster

Affiliation with History Hub Ulster

Ulster Bank War Memorials is pleased to continue its affiliation with History Hub Ulster.

RBS Book of Remembrance

RBS have published a Book of Remembrance.

It records the men from all the constituent banks who served and died in the Great War, WWII and the Korean War.

The title page:

A record of the men and women on the staff of the

United Kingdom constituent banks of

The Royal Bank of Scotland Group

who gave their lives during the

First and Second World Wars and the Korean War

The banks that are listed:

• Beckett & Co 
• Child & Co 
• Commercial Bank of Scotland 
• Coutts & Co 
• District Bank 
• Drummonds 
• Glyn, Mills, Currie & Co 
• Glyn, Mills & Co 
• London County Westminster & Parr’s Bank 
• Manchester & County Bank 
• The National Bank 
• National Bank of Scotland 
• National Provincial & Union Bank of England 
• National Provincial Bank 
• Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Bank 
• Northamptonshire Union Bank 
• The Royal Bank of Scotland 
• Ulster Bank 
• Westminster Bank
• Williams Deacon’s Bank

Bankers at War website

There used to be a website called 'Bankers at War' that detailed all the men from the RBS (Royal Bank of Scotland) group who served in WWII.

The following edited text (removing references to the Great War) is taken from the site:

Introduction

At the outbreak of the war, men from all occupations left their places of work and volunteered to serve their country. The world of Banking was no different. Throughout this country in many bank branches can be seen evidence of this in many varied war memorials and Rolls of Honour.

This website has been created in order to flesh out the stories behind many of these names. Who were these men? Where did they work? What did they do in the war? Hopefully some of these questions can be answered.

Background

This project came about through the individual research of two men. Adam Brown is an employee of the Royal Bank of Scotland, and David McNay works for the Bank of Scotland (part of HBOS and now part of the Lloyds Banking Group). It was through researching the Rolls of Honour for their places of employment that they met and decided to combine their work in a Roll combining as many banks as information could be found.

We welcome any information that you may have that will enable us to complete the picture of a specific individual.


The Ulster Bank 'WWII' section details:

The following names were taken from the RBS Group Book of Remembrance -

Second World War

Andrews, W H L
Bradley, J W
Cumins, O
Glendinning, J E
Hawthorne, J T
Long, F
Love, J C
Martin, H
McAlister, W G
Scott, J G
Thomas, R A
Watson, W E

It would appear that no further work has been undertaken on the site and that the site is now down.

World War II - War Memorial / Roll of Honour

The Ulster Bank War Memorial / Roll of Honour was unveiled on 19th November 1948. The image below is of the War Memorial dedicated to the men who volunteered for service and gave their lives in the Great War [WWII] 1939 to 1945.

Acknowledgements to RBS Heritage Archives.

The WWII Roll of Honour is installed about 20 feet up an inside wall of the Ulster Bank, Donegall Square East building.

The book, 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher records a photo of the unveiling of the memorial by Sir Milne Barbour DL, MP on page 208.

A researcher from the 'Great War Forum' has given me the following image.

Acknowledgements to Lennon Wylie.

The next image records the names of those who volunteered, served and returned from the war. 



Medals Awarded During the 2nd World War

The medals awarded during the 2nd World War were:

War Medal 1939-1945 was awarded for those who had served in the Armed Forces or Merchant Navy full-time for at least 28 days between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.  In the Merchant Navy, the 28 days must have been served at sea.   It is sometimes described as the "Victory Medal" for WWII, although that is not its correct name.

Defence Medal was awarded for for service in WWII.  It was instituted to recognise both military and some types of civilian service.

The following Campaign Medals were also awarded (in alphabetical order):

1939-1945 Star was awarded for for operational service between 3 September 1939 and 2 September 1945.

• Army personnel had to complete 6 months service in an operational command.  Airborne troops qualified if they had participated in any airborne operations and had completed 2 months service in a fully operational unit.
• Air Force personnel had to participate in operations against the enemy providing that 2 months service had been completed in an operational unit.  Non-aircrew personnel had to complete 6 months service in an area of (overseas) operational army command.
• Naval personnel qualified if they completed 6 months service, and at least 1 voyage was made through an operational area.
• Royal Observer Corps personnel for service of 1,080 days.

 

Africa Star was awarded for for a minimum of one day service in an operational area of North Africa between 10 June 1940 and 12 May 1943.   The whole of the area between the Suez Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar is included, together with Malta, Abyssinia, Kenya, the Sudan, both Somaliands and Eritrea.   The areas not bordering the Mediterranean only qualified for the Africa Star from 10 June 1940 to 27 November 1941.
 

Air Crew Europe Star was awarded for Commonwealth aircrew who participated in operational flights over Europe, from UK bases.  Two months operational flying was required between 3 September 1939 and 5 June 1944 in order to qualify.   The 1939-1945 Star must have been earned before commencing qualifying service for the Air Crew Europe Star.  From 6 June 1944 (D-Day), operational flying over Europe qualified aircrew for the France & Germany Star.

Atlantic Star was awarded for six months service afloat, in the Atlantic or in Home Waters, within the period 3 September 1939 to 8 May 1945.   Also awarded to aircrew who have taken part in operations against the enemy at sea within the qualifying areas for Naval personnel, subject to two months service in an operational unit.   The 1939-1945 Star must have been earned before commencing qualifying service for the Atlantic Star.

Burma Star was awarded for service in the Burma Campaign between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945.  This medal was also awarded for certain specified service in China, Hong Kong, Malaya and Sumatra:

• Hong Kong - between 26 December 1941 and 2 September 1945
• China and Malaya - between 16 February 1942 and 2 September 1945
• Sumatra - between 24 March 1942 and 2 September 1945

Second World War service in China, Hong Kong, Malaya and Sumatra after 8 December 1941 but prior to the above start dates was recognised by the award of the Pacific Star.

France & Germany Star was awarded for operational service in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Germany from 6 June 1944 (D-Day) to 8 May 1945.   The qualifying sea area is the North Sea south of a line from the Firth of Forth to Kristiansand (South), in the English Channel and in the bay of Biscay east of longitude 6 degrees west, provided such service was directly in support of land operations in France, Belgium, the Netherlands or Germany. British uniform regulations stipulated that neither the Atlantic Star nor the Air Crew Europe Star would be awarded to a recipient of the France and Germany Star.   Subsequent entitlement to the Atlantic Star was denoted by the award of the Atlantic clasp.   A clasp for the Air Crew Europe Star was not issued as that Star could not be earned after 5 June 1944.   Army personnel who entered Austria may not qualify for this award, as their service is recognised by the grant of the Italy Star.

Italy Star was awarded for operational service (on land) in Italy, Greece, Yugoslavia. Pantelleria, the Aegean area and Dodecanese Islands and Elba at any time between 11 June 1943 and 8 May 1945. Other areas to qualify for the award are:

• Sicily - between 11 June 1943 - 17 August 1943
• Sardinia - between 11 June 1943 - 19 September 1943
• Corsica- between 11 June 1943 - 4 October 1943

Pacific Star was awarded for operational service in the Pacific Theatre between 8 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, and also for certain specified service in China, Hong-Kong, Malaya and Sumatra:

• Hong Kong - between 8 December 1941 and 25 December 1941
• China and Malaya - between 8 December 1941 and 15 February 1942
• Sumatra - between 8 December 1941 and 23 March 1942

Young, John

John Young

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Young was probably born around 1913 based on a bank starting age of 17.

Following his education, Young joined the bank on 27th March 1930 at Head Office. He was appointed Assistant in Lisburn, Head Office, Bangor and Shaftesbury Square branches.

Young volunteered and enlisted into the armed forces in 1941. He was Commissioned in 1943.

After demobilisation, Young returned to the bank to Head Office (1946 - Assistant) and Corn Market (1956 - Second Teller then Pro-Manager 1961). Promotion to Manager at Lisburn Road came in 1965 and Lisburn in 1969.

Young resigned due to health reasons on 31st March 1972.

John Young die don 7th February 1982 in hospital at Dumfries, Scotland where he lived after retirement. He left his widow, Ella and a son, Ian. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Walker, Samuel

Lieutenant Commander (RN) Samuel Walker (known as Sammy)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Walker was probably born around 1914 based on a bank starting age of 17.

Following his education at RBAI (INST), Walker joined the bank at Easter 1931 and worked in Crumlin Road branch.

He was a great, overall sportsman as shown in these early photos:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Walker volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse as a Trooper and very quickly was promoted through the ranks to Sergeant. He was Commissioned in 1940 and was later transferred to the Indian Army but finished the war as a Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Navy. He was 'mentioned in despatches' for an earlier action.

Sammy was also a member of the Buccaneers Rugby Football Club that was later to be disbanded due to WW2.

 

A BBC History website mentions Sammy Walker in an article recalling the WW2 service of a friend, Nolan Johnston. 

After demobilisation, Walker returned to the bank. He accepted early retirement in a voluntary retirement scheme and left Donegall Place branch in 1957.

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher features a Sammy Walker on pages 257 and 258 in an article on 'Ulster Bank at Leisure'.  Walker took part in a comedy routine with his colleague Ken Hobson. Walker is also recorded as being at the height of his rugby international career.

Sammy Walker died on 20th January 1972 aged 59. The bank staff magazine published this lengthy obituary and appreciation:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Tombe, Edgar Bredin

Edgar Bredin Tombe

Tombe was born about 1903 to Richard Parsons Tombe, Graduate (BA TCD - 1901) and Edith Sarah Tombe nee Bredin. They had married on 1st September 1900 with the marriage being registered in Dublin South area.

Richard Parsons Tombe, Clerk in Holy Orders, died aged 32, on 1st August 1910 at Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary.

In 1911 Tombe (8) lived in house 13,  The Allies, Fair Gate, Co. Louth with his mother, Edith (34) and 5 siblings; Kathleen (9), Edith (7), Mary (7), Richard (5) and John (4). Also in the property are Jane Tombe (grandmother), George Bredin (uncle) and a servant, Mary Grogan.

Following his education, Tombe joined the bank in 1920 and had a lengthy period working in College Green branch.

Tombe volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force.

After demobilisation, Tombe returned to the bank. In 1951 he was appointed as Pro-Manager in South branch followed by Manager in Killybegs (1960) branch and  Dun Laoghaire branch in 1961 from where he retired on 30th July 1965.

 

Edgar Tombe died on 20th February 1970 and is buried in St. Patrick's Churchyard, Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam