Gilmour, Bryce

Captain Bryce Gilmour

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Gilmour was born at Castle Street, Ballyshannon on 14th May 1916 to William Gilmour, Post Office Official and Annie Gilmour nee Mitchell. They had married on 6th July 1914 at Ballyshannon Presbyterian Church.

Following his education at Foyle College, Londonderry, Gilmour joined the bank on 25th June 1934 at Cavan branch.

Gilmour volunteered and enlisted in November 1939 into the Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and attained the rank of Captain.

In 1946 he re-joined the bank at Head Office followed by transfers to Connswater, Crumlin Road, Lisburn Road, Shankill (1958), Carlisle Circus (Teller - 1965), Glengormley (Manager - 1968) and Shankill Road (Manager - 1971).

He is mentioned in 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher on page 287 where he is recorded as being the manager of the Shankill Road branch during the early 1970's.  At different times, he experienced raids, kidnappings, incendiary bombs and fires. 

Bryce married and had 2 sons, Bryce and Irvine and a daughter, Lindsay.

He retired from the bank on 31st March 1979.

Gilfillan, William

Flight Lieutenant William Gilfillan (known as Bill)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Gilfillan was born at Myroe, Limavady on  4th October 1918 to William Gilfillan, Farmer and Mary Gilfillan nee Fulton. They had married on 24th March 1915 at Drum Presbyterian Church, Bovevagh, Limavady.

Following his education at Limavady Grammar School, Gilfillan joined the bank in 1938. He was transferred to Ballynahinch the following year.

Gilfillan volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force as a Wireless Operator. In the following year he re-mustered for Pilot Training. He graduated as a Pilot with the US Army Air Corps in 1942 and was Staff  Pilot at Central Navigations School before doing a tour of operations with 189 Squadron Bomber Command. Later he served as a Ferry Pilot until his demobilisation in 1946.

The London Gazette of 31st March 1944 records a William Gilfillan with service number 1123759 being promoted from Flight Sergeant to Pilot Officer with service number 172536 (as of 17th January 1944). Promotions followed to Flying Officer (as at 17th July 1944) and Flight Lieutenant (as at 17th January 1946).

Following demobilisation, Gilfillan returned to the bank at Londonderry branch with later transfers to Carrickmacross (1942) and Ballymena branches (1950). In 1959 he was transferred to Coleraine branch becoming a Pro-Manager there in 1963. Further promotions followed, Assistant Inspector (1967) and Manager, Lurgan branch (1969).

Gilfillan married a former official, Miss Rebecca L Bailey of Moybrick, Dromara. They had a son, Matthew and 2 daughters, Betty (Mrs Miles) and Joan (a previous bank official).

He retired as manager of Lurgan branch on 30th June 1982.

Bill Gilfillan (left) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Gifford, Richard J

Regimental Sergeant Major (WO1) Richard James Gifford (known as Dick)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Gifford was born at Quoile, Downpatrick on 24th May 1917 to Frederick William Gifford, Solicitors Assistant and Maude H Gifford nee Cadden. They had married on 26th July 1916 at Omagh Church of Ireland.

Following his education, Gifford joined the bank in 1937 at Head Office. A move to College Green followed in 1938.

At the outbreak of war, Gifford volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Ulster Rifles and served in Norway until the evacuation. He later transferred to the King's African Rifles, of which he became Regimental sergeant Major (RSM/WO1) and served in Abyssinia, Somaliland and Eritrea. He was wounded in action during his wartime service.

Following demobilisation, Gifford returned to the bank at Shaftesbury Square with later transfers to Strabane, Banbridge and Omagh. He was appointed to teller in Bullion Department in 1961 and became Pro-Manager there in 1966.

Gifford married Alison and they had 2 children; Richard and Jonathan.

He retired as manager, Bullion on 30th November 1978.

Dick Gifford (2nd from right) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Giffin, Francis

Francis Giffin

Giffin was born at Townparks, Antrim on 18th January 1912 to Thomas Giffin, Railway Porter and Sarah Giffin nee Kenny. 

He was brought up in Coleraine.

Following his education, Giffin joined the bank on 1st April 1930 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Shaftesbury Square, Newry, Lurgan, Granard, Monaghan and Crumlin Road branches.

Giffin volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Coder, Liaison Staff on a French Corvette on escort duties serving in many theatres; North Sea convoys, Mediterranean convoys, English Channel convoys and D-day landings. After VE Day he was attached to aircraft carriers in the Pacific area.

Giffin married Doris Helen Cass in St. Andrew's, Totteridge, London on 27th March 1944. They resided in Holywood and latterly in Bangor.

Following demobilisation, Giffin returned to the bank. He was appointed to Connswater (1962 - Pro-manager, Holywood sub-branch) branch followed by Garvagh (1967 - Manager) branch.

Francis Giffin died on 22nd October 2002 at Ulster Hospital, Dundonald. The Bank staff magazine published this article on his promotion to Garvagh branch:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Thanks to Alistair McCartney al@dnet.co.uk for additional information.

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. 

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.