Martin, Arthur L

Arthur Lewis Martin (known as Arthur)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Martin was born at 14 Ashley Avenue, Belfast on 11th June 1919 to William Ernest Martin, Bank Official and Mabel Martin nee Hutchinson. They had married on 16th October 1913 at St Peter's Methodist Church, Dublin.

Following his education at St. Columba's College, Rathfarnham, Martin joined the bank at Ballymena branch in 1938. 

Martin volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force in 1941 and served mainly with the South East Asia Command.

Following demobilisation, Martin returned to the bank in 1946 and spent 7 years in Foreign Department, College Green, Dublin followed by Letterkenny, Tullamore, Trim, Edenderry branches before he was appointed as Pro-Manager in Premises Department (1962). He became Manager there the following year.

Martin was appointed as an Assistant Inspector of Branches in 1971 and in 1974 was promoted to Chief Inspector.

He married the former Miss Patricia McKinlay.

Martin retired as Chief Inspector.

Arthur Martin (left) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McCormick, John

John McCormick

McCormick was born at Kirkcubbin (now Kircubbin) on 9th February 1898 to John McCormick, Merchant Carpenter and Lizzie McCormick nee Caughey. They had married on 8th March 1892 at Newtownards Methodist Church.

Following his education, McCormick joined the bank at Omagh branch in 1914. He served in a number of branches before his appointment, in 1920, as Accountant at Carlisle Circus branch where he later became Cashier and then Pro-Manager (1930).

McCormick volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy.

On demobilisation, McCormick returned to the bank as a relief Pro-Manager prior to his appointment as Manager of Ballymoney branch (1946). A further transfer was to Larne as Manager in 1951 where he stayed until his retirement in 1958.

There is a J McCormick mentioned in the book by Lyn Gallagher, 'The Ulster Bank Story'. However, this J McCormick served in the Great War making his possible age in 1939 between 39 and 45.

John McCormick died on 28th December 1973 leaving his widow, Jean and their son, Campbell. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Lowe, Henry Louis

Henry Louis Lowe (known as Louis)

Lowe was born in Lurgan townland, Kings County (now Co. Westmeath) on 3rd September 1907 to William George Lowe, Farmer and Gwendoline Evelyn Lowe nee Stanley. They had married on 5th June 1895 at All Saints Church of Ireland, Grangegorman, Dublin. 

The 1911 Irish Census records a Henry Louis Lowe (aged 3) residing at house 10, Lurgan, Claragh, Kings County. His parents were William George Lowe and Evangeline Emily Lowe. Henry had 3 elder brothers and an elder sister.

Following his education, Lowe joined the bank in 1926 at Arva before being transferred to Clones.

Lowe volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy and served from 1939 to 1944.

On demobilisation, Lowe returned to the bank at Athboy and then Mullingar from where he retired in an optional retirement scheme in 1957.

He married Wendy Irene Elizabeth O'Neill in 1950.

Lowe died on 30th November 1970 at his home in Tanranga, New Zealand leaving his widow and 2 sons. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Lorimer, Andrew

Flight Lieutenant Andrew Lorimer

Lorimer was born about 1913 indicating a starting age of 17 to the bank.

There are 2 Andrew Lorimer's recorded on the Irish Genealogy website:

• 12th August 1911 - Glenavy, Lisburn to Archibald Lorimer, Farmer and Mill owner and Mary Lorimer nee Hunter
  
  
• 25th May 1911 - Magherafelt to James Lorimer, Baker and Alice Lorimer nee Stanton

Following his education, Lorimer joined the bank on 30th June 1930 at Head Office.

Lorimer volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force serving with Coastal Command and later in Egypt and Ceylon with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

Andrew Lorimer died in service as Pro-Manager, Waterford branch on 5th August 1967. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Lapham, Richard Henry Baillie

2nd Lieutenant Richard Henry Baillie Lapham

Lapham was born in Lisnaskea on 13th January 1913 to Richard Caleb Lapham, Clerk in Holy Orders and Ellen Lapham nee Baillie. They had married on 19th April 1912 at St. Matthews Church of Ireland, Co. Dublin. The marriage registration records Richard as a widower. He had previously married Mary Christian on 10th February 1903 at Christ Church, Leeson Park, Church of Ireland, Dublin.

Following his education, Lapham joined the bank on 1st March 1933 at Head Office.

Lapham volunteered and enlisted into the Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and served with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France. He took part in the evacuation at Dunkirk. He gained a Commission as 2nd Lieutenant. His Service Number was 179439.

Following demobilisation, Lapham returned to the bank. His pre- and post-war service was seen in Donegall Place, Markets, Aughnacloy, Mountpottinger, Cornmarket (1959 - Cashier) and Finaghy (1969 - Manager) branches.

Cheque drawn on Markets branch

In 1974 Lapham had a serious illness and on his recovery, in early 1975, he joined Management Services Division, Head Office.

Lapham died in service on 13th December 1977 leaving a widow, Dorothea, daughters Jennifer and Rosalind. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kirker, Norman Linden

Captain Norman Linden (Lin) Kirker

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kirker was born at Main Street, Bangor on 12th June 1910 to Isaac McNeice Kirker, Druggist and Elizabeth Jane (Lily) Kirker nee Irwin. They had married on 23rd July 1908 at Ballygilbert Presbyterian Church.

The 1911 Irish Census records Norman (0) as residing in house 87, Main Street, Bangor with his parents. Also in the house on census day were a servant, Maud Gardner (34), a nurse, Emily Smyth (19), a boarder, Mathilda Wright (19) and a visitor Edwin Dempster (30).

Following his education, Kirker joined the bank on 22nd March 1929 at Head Office in the Paste Room. Prior to the war, he worked in a number of branches, north and south.

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kirker volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Artillery. He was later to command a Battery and attained a Commission. The London Gazette reports Kirker as being promoted from Officer Cadet to 2nd Lieutenant on 25th April 1942. A further promotion to Lieutenant was reported in the London Gazette dated 8th November 1945. Kirker's service number was 232691. The Bank staff magazine reports him as rising to the rank of Captain and being 'Mentioned in Despatches'.

He married Evelyn Anna Wilson at Carlisle Memorial Church on 24th November 1942. Evelyn died on 9th June 1948 at the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin North.

Following demobilisation, Kirker returned to the bank serving in South, Ranelagh, Blackrock, Pembroke (1962 - Manager) and Dalkey (1967 - Manager)

In 1949 he married Hilda Armstrong.

Kirker retired in 1974 as Manager of Dalkey branch.

The book 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher records a picture of a Lyn Kirker on page 18 in the chapter called 'Juniors'. Kirker is featured with colleagues, Jack Watson, Arthur McGloughlin and Robert Neely. At that time Kirker was serving in Dalkey branch. The photograph was taken in St Helier's, Jersey in the 1930's.

Lin Kirker (2nd from left) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Lin Kirker died at Dalkey, Dublin on 25th January 1995 leaving an estate of £21,543. he was survived by his widow, Hilda and 5 sons; David, Ian, Clifford (staff member), Roger and Brian.

The Bank staff magazine published this obituary reporting his death on 23rd January 1995:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kingston, Richard W

Richard Wilson Kingston (known as Dick)

Kingston was born in the Ederney area of Co. Fermanagh on 8th February 1906 to Samuel Richard Kingston, District Inspector, Royal Irish Constabulary and Mary Elizabeth Kingston nee Wilson. They had married on 14th October 1892 in one of the Church of Ireland churches in the Raphoe diocese. 

The 1911 Irish Census records Richard (5) residing at house 29, James's Street, Cookstown with his parents and 4 sisters; Violet s (16), Mabel E (12), Millicent A (9) and Hilda M (6). A servant, Emily Cooper (17) also lived with the family.

Following his education, Kingston joined the bank in 1924at Head Office and later at Ardee branch. He was then transferred to College Green, Dublin branch.

Kingston volunteered and enlisted into 

After demobilisation in 1945, Kingston returned to the bank at Head Office where he remained until retirement for health reasons in 1948.

Dick Kingston died on 21 December 1979. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kerr, Edwin W H

Edwin Walter Harold Kerr (known as Pat)

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kerr was born in Longford on 16th October 1922 to Edwin Robert Kerr, Bank Manager and Eva Jane Kerr nee Whitsitt. They had married on 29th June 1909 at Killashandra Presbyterian Church, Cavan. 

His father was Manager at Longford branch from 1917 to 1940 and his uncle was Manager at Ferbane from 1924 to 1927, Wexford from 1927 to 1935 and Strabane from 1935 to 1947.

Following his education at Portora Royal School, Kerr joined the bank in 1941 at Dun Laoghaire branch.

Kerr volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy and served in the Far East.

He served in a number of branches including Tuam and Wexford until his appointment as Assistant Manager, Bullion Department, College Green, Dublin in 1973. Managership in the same department came in 1975.

Kerr married the former Miss Joyce Jude of Greystones and they had 4 children; Mary, Rachel, John and Sarah.

He retired on 10th March 1986.

'Pat' Kerr died on 8th August 1999. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kenny, F Marcus B

Francis Marcus Brown Kenny (known as Marcus)

Kenny was born at Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk on 20th November 1907 to David Kenny, Draper and Helen Kenny nee Brown. 

In 1911, Marcus (3) is living in house 18, Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk with his parents, 8 boarders and 2 servants. This property is recorded as a 'drapers shop'.

Following his education. Kenny joined the bank at Westport branch in 1927. Further transfers followed to Cookstown, Portadown, Wexford and Camden Street branches. He was also on Relief Staff prior to his appointment to the Bullion Department.

Kenny volunteered and enlisted into the  Royal Artillery on 12th January 1940.

J M B Kenny - Royal Artillery Tracer Card

On demobilisation, Kenny was transferred to the Reserves until 1954. he also returned to the bank.

 

Kenny retired from the bank in 1972.

He died on 19 July 1983 leaving his widow, Freda and sons, David and Robert. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kennedy, Robert H

Robert Hugh Kennedy (known as Bob)

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Kennedy was a native of Coleraine.

Following his education at Coleraine Academical Institution, Kennedy joined the bank on 1st May 1930 at Head Office and served in Larne and Markets branches before the war.

Cheque drawn on Markets branch

In 1939, Kennedy volunteered and enlisted into the armed forces. The Forces War Record website details a R H Kennedy as serving in the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1941 with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He became an Adjutant in 1945.

Following demobilisation, Kennedy returned to the bank and again, served in various branches before being appointed to Donegall Place branch as pro-Manager in 1961. He became an Assistant Inspector in 1963. 1966 brought an appointment as Manager of Connswater branch.

He retired as Manager in Connswater branch on 30th April 1975.

Bob Kennedy (right) - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Bob Kennedy died on 14th May 1995 after a lengthy illness.