McCoubrey, William Fulton Kerr

Flying Officer William Fulton Kerr McCoubrey

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McCoubrey was born at Glarryford, Ballymena in 1918.   

Following his education at Ballymena Academy, McCoubrey joined the bank at Head Office on 24th March 1937. Transfers followed to Kircubbin (1939), Downpatrick (1941) and Connswater (1941).

McCoubrey volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force VR with service number 1483495.  Promotions to Sergeant followed. The London Gazette records his promotions:

• 27th March 1945 promoted to Pilot Officer with the service number of 191438 as of 11th December 1944
• 6th July 1945 promoted from Pilot Officer to Flying Officer as of 11th June 1945. 

He was attached to Coastal Command and later served in Norway, Europe, North Africa, Middle East and India.

Following demobilisation in 1946, McCoubrey returned to the bank at Coleraine branch. He was moved to  Banbridge branch (1957) where he was appointed Pro-Manager in 1966. In 1968 he was appointed to Castlewellan as Manager. A further transfer was made in 1972 to Knock branch as Manager where he stayed until his retirement in 1980.

A couple of pictures of McCoubrey are on pages 91 and 126 of the book 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher.  He is quoted as being the manager of Castlewellan branch between the years 1968 to 1972.  McCoubrey also appeared in a BBC Schools broadcast that was made in 1972. 

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

William McCoubrey die don 24th November 1982 and was survived by his widow, Esmee and sons, Christopher and Richard (also in bank service). The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Maxwell, William

William Maxwell

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Maxwell was born at Kirkcubbin (now Kircubbin) on 31st July 1908 to William Lowry Maxwell, Merchant and Mary Maxwell nee Gunning. They had married on 27th September 1906 at Cloughey Presbyterian Church, Co. Down.

Following his education at Coleraine Acedemical Institution, Maxwell joined the bank in 1928 and served in Dungannon, O'Connell Street, College Green, Head Office and Sligo branches.

Maxwell volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy and served for 4 years.

On demobilisation, Maxwell returned to the bank. Transfers followed to Edenderry (1957 - Cashier and then 1961 - Manager).

A photograph of Maxwell appears on page 97 in the book 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher.  Maxwell was the manager of Edenderry branch between 1961 to 1973.  The photograph was taken in 1964.

William Maxwell died on 26th June 1981 and was survived by his widow, Jenny. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Martin, Norman F

Norman F Martin

Martin was probably born around 1917 / 1920.

Following his education, Martin joined the Ulster Bank.

The Forces War Record website records a Norman Frank Martin as serving in the Royal Armoured Corps in 1943 with the rank of Sergeant.

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Maxwell, James

Captain James Maxwell

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Maxwell was born at Ballycranbeg, Kircubbin on 8th July 1911 to James McFadden Maxwell, Veterinary Surgeon and Janie Maxwell nee Donnan. They were married on 17th January 1906 at Ballywalter Presbyterian Church.

Maxwell was educated in Campbell College. The Lennon Wylie website records the following for him:

2075 *Maxwell, James (C), b. 8th July, 1911, son of James Maxwell, Ballycran, Kirkcubbin, Co. Down. L.VI, July, 1929. Ulster Bank, 1930. Captain, North Irish Horse. Address: Cranbeg, Kirkcubbin, Co. Down. (M.q.)

Following his education at Campbell College, Maxwell joined the bank on 1st May 1930 at Head Office followed by Downpatrick branch.

Maxwell volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse attaining the rank of Captain.

Following demobilisation, Maxwell returned to the bank at Donegall Place, Shankill Road, Newtownards, Markets branches and Donegall Place as Pro-Manager in 1962. He was appointed as Manager at Newry branch in 1966.

Cheque drawn on Markets branch

Maxwell married the former Miss Patricia Angel Scott of London and had a daughter, Alice Jean.

He retired on 31st August 1975 to Sussex, England.

James Maxwell died on 1st May 1992. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

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