Bradley, John Whitfield

Pilot Officer John Whitfield Bradley

Bradley was born at 21 Eglantine Gardens, Belfast on 19th May 1918 to David Bradley, Tea Merchant and Minnie Bradley nee Kirker. They had married on 14th June 1909 at University Road Methodist Church, Belfast.

In 1911 the family lived in house 15, Pretoria Street, Cromac, Belfast. David was a book-keeper.

Following his education at Methodist College, Belfast, Bradley joined the bank around 1935 based on a starting age of 17.

Bradley volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force (VR). Promotions followed to Pilot Officer with service number 113428.

At one time, Bradley was stationed at RAF Oulton, located to the west of the market town of Aylsham, Norfolk. It was built between 1939 and 1940 as a bomber airfield and had grass runways.

Bradley was serving with 139 Squadron, RAF (VR) when he was killed in action on 15th October 1941 aged 23.

Courtesy of Nigel Henderson

He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, panel 31.

Acknowledgements to CWGC

Family Headstone
Courtesy of Nigel Henderson

Methodist College, Belfast - War Memorial
Courtesy of Nigel Henderson

The NatWest Group Archives website has published this information:

John Whitfield Bradley was born on 19 May 1918, the son of David and Minnie Bradley. In March 1937 he went to work for Ulster Bank at its head office in Belfast. In May 1938 he moved to Belfast Crumlin Road branch, and then back to head office in April 1939.

 

In June 1940 Bradley left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He trained as a pilot and eventually flew Blenheim bomber aircraft. On 15 October 1941 the Blenheim he was piloting was lost without a trace after takeoff from its UK base. The aircraft's crew, including Pilot Officer Bradley, were all killed on that day, although they were initially listed as missing and his death was not presumed until May 1942. John Bradley was 23 years old when he was killed.

 

John Bradley is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the Second World War and its memorial for those who fell.

Andrews, William Henry Lowry

Lieutenant William Henry Lowry Andrews (known as Lowry)

Andrews was born at 63 Marlborough Park South, Belfast on 8th December 1918 to Joseph Moody Andrews, Merchant and Lavina Hatrick Andrews nee Graham. They had married on 10th January 1917 at Windsor Presbyterian Church. 

Following his education in Bangor Grammar School, Andrews joined the bank around 1935 based on a starting age of 17.

He volunteered and enlisted into the army. Promotion to Lieutenant from Cadet followed in August 1940 (service number 143809). 

Andrews was serving with 32 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery when he was killed in action at El Alamein on 8th July 1942 aged 23.

The Belfast News-Letter of 27th July 1942 reported:

Lowry Andrews is buried in the El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt. Grave reference 'XXIX A 9'.  

Acknowledgements to CWGC

There is a memorial to Andrews in the Trinity Presbyterian Church, Bangor.

Lowry Andrews is also remembered on the Bangor Grammar School War Memorial [picture] and on the Crusaders Union (Urban Saints) War Memorial, Isle of Wight [picture, website].

The NatWest Group Archives website has published this information:

William Henry Lowry Andrews was born on 8 December 1918, the son of Joseph M Andrews, a merchant, and his wife Ina. He was educated at Bangor Grammar School. In April 1937 he went to work for Ulster Bank at its head office in Belfast. 

 

In December 1939 Andrews left the bank to go on war service, and by 1942 he was a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, on active service in the Middle East. He was killed in action in Egypt on 8 July 1942. He was 23 years old.

William Andrews is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the Second World War and its memorial for those who fell.

Cumins, Oliver

Leading Aircraftman (Air Gunner) Oliver Cumins

Cumins was born at 'Lisveen', Ardenlee Avenue, Belfast on 4th April 1916 to John Macbeth Cumins, Butcher and Matilda Cumins nee Stewart. They had married on 22nd August 1909 at Drumlegagh Presbyterian Church, Strabane.

The family later moved to Carnbane (sometimes Cairnbane) House, Newport Bridge area of Lisburn.

Following his education in the Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Inst), Oliver joined the bank about 1933at Head Office followed by Enniskillen branch. 

Oliver volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force with service number 1112854.

He was killed in an aircraft accident on 31st May 1941 just over two miles away from the RAF Penross, Pwlleli, north Wales.

Oliver is buried in Lisburn Cemetery - reference Sec. A. Grave 451.

Oliver's family were advised of his death via the following two letters:

Courtesy of the organisers of 2015 Hillsborough WW2 Exhibition

Courtesy of the organisers of 2015 Hillsborough WW2 Exhibition

Local newspapers gave this account of the tragedy:

Courtesy of the organisers of 2015 Hillsborough WW2 Exhibition

Courtesy of the organisers of 2015 Hillsborough WW2 Exhibition

Oliver Cumins was buried with full military honours in Lisburn Cemetery.

Oliver is remembered on the Hillsborough War Memorial.

Oliver is also remembered on his church war memorial.

Acknowledgements to CWGC. There is no CWGC headstone.

Acknowledgements to As it Was

A researcher on the 'WW2 forum' advises:

"... I think the distinction is between 'killed', being associated with the hostilities, and 'died'.

For fliers, if the death occurred in a raid or sortie, I think that 'killed in action' is appropriate, no matter what the circumstances: shot down, ran out of fuel, hit a mountain in fog, or just disappeared.

If the death occurred on a training flight, I would put: 'died in an accident on active service'; for someone sheltering from a bombing raid on an airfield, 'killed on active service'; and if someone was killed in a road traffic accident while on leave, for example, just 'died in an accident'.

Incidentally, the number of deaths during training was quite substantial.

Belville ..."


Local history group, History Hub Ulster commemorated the centenary of the unveiling and dedication of the Hillsborough War Memorial on 13th May 2022 and created this video talk that also mentioned Oliver Cumins.

Another member of the Cumins family also served in WWII - Robert Cumins (dob 3rd January 1921):

Courtesy of the organisers of 2015 Hillsborough WW2 Exhibition

The NatWest Group Archives website has published this information:

Oliver Cumins was born on 4 April 1916, the son of John Macbeth Cumins. He was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution. In June 1934 he went to work for Ulster Bank at its head office in Belfast. In September 1939 he moved to Enniskillen branch.

In early January 1941 Cumins left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Air Force. He was training to be an observer at 9 Bombing and Gunnery School in Wales when, on 31 May 1941, the aircraft in which he, a pilot and another student were flying crashed into the sea off Pwllheli. His body was found in the sea the next day. Leading Aircraftman Cumins was 25 years old.

Oliver Cumins is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the Second World War and its memorial for those who fell.

Ferguson, Thomas James

Thomas James Ferguson

Ferguson was born at Marlborough Park, Belfast on 13th March 1900 to Stanley Ferguson, Solicitor and Edith Francis Ferguson nee Carr. They had married on 11th April 1899 in Belfast.

In 1901, Ferguson (1) lived in house 7, Marlborough Park, Belfast with his parents and 2 servants; Elizabeth Donaghy and Charlotte Endicott.

In 1911, Ferguson (11) lived in house 16, Deramore Park, Belfast with his parents and 4 siblings; Stanley Carr (9), Frances Ethel (7), Sally Dickson (6) and Howard (2). Also in the house were a governess, a housemaid, a cook and a nurse. Stanley Ferguson detailed his occupation as Bank Director.

Following his education, Ferguson joined the probably around 1917 aged 17.

The book 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher mentions T J Ferguson on page 215 in the chapter on 'Juniors'. It records a Maureen Nash being interviewed by Ferguson in 1940 and at the end of the interview she was asked to start immediately. This date may indicate that Ferguson was already a member of the bank management and in a position to conduct interviews.

Stanley Ferguson is discussed in this website countydown in an article about a Banbridge firm, Edenderry Works and Thomas Ferguson and Co Ltd. The article says that Stanley qualified as a solicitor and may have been the Chairman of Ulster Bank in 1906. This is confirmed in the book 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher.

Ferguson, Matthew

Matthew Ferguson

Ferguson was probably born around 1917 / 1921.

Following his education, Ferguson joined the Ulster Bank.

The Forces War Records website records a M Ferguson serving with the Royal Regiment of Artillery as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1941.

Edgar, Leslie J S

Leslie J S Edgar

Edgar 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.

Information Required

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Dickson, Thomas

Thomas Dickson

Dickson was probably born around 1917 / 1921.

Following his education, Dickson joined the Ulster Bank.

The Forces War Records website records a Thomas Dickson serving with the Royal Ulster Rifles as a Lance Corporal in 1943.

Davis, Robert

Robert Davis

Davis 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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Crowe, Maurice F

Maurice F Crowe

Crowe 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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Coulter, Herbert S

Herbert S Coulter

Coulter 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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Caldwell, Thomas H

Thomas H Caldwell


Caldwell 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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Broadberry, Desmond H R

Flight Lieutenant Desmond Harry Russell Broadberry

Broadberry was born on 28th December 1919 to George Russell Broadberry and Eleanor Jane May Broadberry nee May. They were married on 4th May 1910 at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Rathmines, Co. Dublin. In 1911, the parents lived in house 37, Hollybank Avenue, Rathmines & Rathgar East, Dublin.

Following his education, Desmond joined the bank probably around 1936/37 based on a joining age of 17.

Broadberry volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force (VR) with service number 1065760.

Promotions followed to Pilot Officer (1941) with service number 108146 to Flying Officer (1942) followed by Flight Lieutenant (1943) followed by the substantive rank of Flight Lieutenant backdated to 01/09/1945. 

Atkinson, Norman D

2nd Lieutenant Norman Duncan Atkinson

Atkinson was born at 31 Ashley Avenue, Belfast on 26th July 1919 to George Duncan Atkinson, Methodist Clergyman and Florence Margaret Atkinson nee Hutchinson. They were married on 1st July 1914 at St. Peters Methodist Church, Phibsborough, Dublin.

Following his education, Norman joined the Ulster Bank and first served as a junior working in the Paste Room (c. 1938).

A photograph of him with colleagues, J K Porter, T K Adair and C F R Anderson appears on page 219 of the book, 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher. Adair and Porter also served during the war.

The website Forces War Records details a N D Atkinson who served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1941.

If Atkinson had continued his army career into the TA after the war, then it is possible that the following Atkinson is the same person.

The London Gazette of 16th October 1965 records a 2nd Lieutenant N D Atkinson with Service Number 473673 being confirmed as 2nd Lieutenant with effect from April 1963 and being promoted to Lieutenant in September 1965. He was serving with the Royal Corps of Signals.

Anderson, Robert B

Robert B Anderson

Anderson 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.

Information Required

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Fletcher, William Henry

William Henry Fletcher (known as Billy)

was born in the Omagh area on 9th August 1907 to John Fletcher, Teacher and Rebecca Fletcher nee Perry. They had married on 9th July 1902 at Fintona Church of Ireland.

Following his education, Fletcher joined the bank in 1926 at Head Office. Transfers followed to  Magherafelt and York Street (1927) branches.

Fletcher volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy, serving in mainly destroyers.

Following demobilisation, Fletcher returned to the bank at York Street branch. Transfers followed to Shaftesbury Square, Donegall Place, Crumlin Road (1959 - Pro-Manager), Rathfriland (1961 - Manager) and Shankill Road (1966 - Manager) branches.

Fletcher retired on 14th March 1971.

Billy Fletcher died on 24th October 1986 in hospital. He was survived by his widow, Muriel. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Davey, John Desmond

Lieutenant Commander John Desmond Davey RN (Known as Desmond)

Davey was born at 46 Bawnmore Road, Belfast on 13th November 1912 to William Hamilton Davey, Barrister at Law and Ruby Irene Davey nee Mollan. They were married on 7th June 1911 at Fisherwick Presbyterian Church, Belfast.

Following his education, Davey joined the bank on 15th May 1933 at Head Office. 

Davey volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) and was serving on HMS Ivanhoe when she was sunk in the North Sea on 1st September 1940. 

HMS Ivanhoe - Courtesy https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4419.html

A later promotion to Lieutenant Commander saw him in command of an escort destroyer.

Davey served in various branches and was appointed Controller's Assistant, Dublin Control in January 1962. He was appointed Manager at Pembroke branch in 1967 followed by Assistant Controller, South Area in 1968 and Personnel Officer, South Area in 1969.

He retired on 31st December 1975.

Desmond Davey die don 26th November 1984 leaving a widow Mary, son Shaun. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Desmond Davey died in 1985.

Currie, Harry Lionel

Major Harry Lionel Currie (known as Lionel)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Currie was born at Lisnaskea on 16th February 1908 to James Currie, Branch Bank Manager and Kate Amelia Currie nee White. 

In 1911 Harry (3) lived at house 99, Main Street, Lisnaskea with his parents and 2 brothers; Henry Eric John (11) and Albert Victor (2). There were 2 servants also living in the property; Eliza Jane Elliott and Emma Creighton. The property was the bank house.

Ulster Bank branch & house, Lisnaskea

courtesy https://www.archiseek.com/2011/1872-ulster-bank-lisnaskea-co-fermanagh/

Following his education at RBAI (INST), Currie joined the Ulster Bank in 1927 at Downpatrick branch where his late father, James Currie was then manager. A transfer followed in 1930 to Donaghadee. 

The Northern Whig of 2nd May 1932 reports that H Currie, Ulster Bank, Donaghadee was playing golf in a stroke competition. 

In 1936 Currie was transferred to Newtownards branch. Whilst there, in 1939, he volunteered and enlisted into the Territorial Army with the Royal Artillery as a Gunner. Three weeks after the Allied withdrawal from Dunkirk he came back to England and received his Commission. He served in the Western Desert and saw four years service there.

The website Forces War Records details a H L Currie who served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1940.

The Belfast Telegraph of 12th September 1945 reports on both Harry and his brother, Albert:

• Capt H L Currie, Royal Artillery was in the 8th Army in North Africa and is now with the British Army of the Rhine in Belgium.
  
  
• Gunner A V Currie, Hong Kong Volunteer Corps was a Prisoner of War in Osaka, Japan and is now safe in allied hands and on his way home via Melbourne. 

Shortly after D-Day in 1944, Currie returned to France and saw further service there and in Belgium and Germany.

Following demobilisation in 1946, Currie returned to the bank at Newtownhamilton. Promotion to Manager at Newtownhamilton came in 1960. Further transfers followed to Tullamore (1962) and to Enniskillen (1964) branches.

In 1953 he married Miss Nancy Neill of Tyrella, Co Down. They had 3 children; Jocelyn, Sackville and Tyrone.

The Belfast Telegraph of 9th November 1968 carried a report that mentioned Harry Currie, Ulster Bank, Enniskillen giving evidence in a fraud trial.

Currie retired on 30th June 1972. He died in 1997.

Crammond, James

James Crammond

Crammond was born at Omagh on 28th March 1919 to James Crammond, Farmer and Isabella Crammond nee Roulston. The Lennon Wylie website records a James Crammond (farmer) as living in Crevenagh, Omagh in 1918.

Following his education, Crammond joined the bank in 1938 at Newtownhamilton branch.

Crammond volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force and served in North Africa during the war. The Forces War Record website records 2 x J Crammond's serving in 408 Squadron, Royal Air Force as a Sergeant.

Following his demobilisation, Crammond returned to the bank.

Crammond was appointed Pro-Manager in Shaftesbury Square branch in 1962 followed by a similar appointment in 'Branches' in 1964. In 1966 he was made an Assistant Inspector and then Personnel Officer, North-West Area in 1969.

He retired on medical advice on 15th July 1970.

James Crammond died on 7th November 1970 leaving brothers and sisters. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Craig, Henry George Alexander

Henry George Alexander Craig

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Craig was at 13 Vicarage Park, Belfast on 18th July 1916 to Alexander Lee Craig, Engineer, Sub-Lieutenant, RNR and Agnes Craig nee Graham. They had married on 7th October 1915 at Holy Trinity Church of Ireland, Belfast.

Following his education, Craig joined the bank in 1933 at Solicitors Department and served there continuously until his retirement on 10th May 1978.

Craig volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force in 1939 until his demobilisation in 1946.

He married the former official, Miss Maud A Greer of Ballykelly.

Harry Craig died on 26th December 1978 (aged 67) at 338 Holywood Road, Belfast and was buried in Roselawn Cemetery on 28th December 1978. He left a widow, Maud and 2 sons, Colin and Garth. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Conroy, Wilfred Thomas

Lieutenant Wilfred Thomas Conroy

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Conroy was born at 35 Rosemount Gardens, Belfast on 26th December 1913 to William Henry Conroy, Clerk and Charlotte Conroy nee Coates. They had married on 4th August 1910 at St Anne's Parish Church, Belfast.

Following his education, Conroy joined the bank on 13th June 1932 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Antrim, Shaftesbury Square, Cornmarket and Markets branches. 

Cheque drawn on Markets branch

Conroy volunteered and enlisted into the S/L Regiment and served in France with the British Expeditionary Force. He was later commissioned in the Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and served with them in Faroes and France as a Lieutenant with Service Number 207130. The London Gazette of 10th December 1946 records a (War Subs) Lieutenant W T Conroy relinquishing his commission on account of disability and being granted the rank of Lieutenant.

Following demobilisation, Conroy returned to the bank. Promotions followed in due course to Controller's Assistant (1961), Assistant Inspector (1963), Cornmarket (1968 - Manager) and Controller, Branch Banking (> 1968).

His daughter, Jill, is a member of staff in the Trustee and Income Tax Department, Head Office.

Conroy retired on 10th June 1977.