Nelson, Gordon Ernest Alexander

2nd Lieutenant Gordon Ernest Alexander Nelson (known as Gordon)

Nelson was born at Spring Hill, Limavady on 6th May 1907 to Howard Arthur Nelson, Barrister and Francis Dorothy Nelson nee Forde. They had married on 12th September 1905 at Tamlaght Church of Ireland, Limavady.

In 1911 Nelson (4) was living in house 3, Isle of Man, Limavady, Co. Londonderry with his parents and an un-christened brother (0). Isle of Man Street is now known as William Street, Limavady. 

Following his education Nelson joined the Ulster Bank.

Nelson volunteered and enlisted into the armed forces. The Forces War Records website records a G E A Nelson serving in the Lancashire Fusiliers with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in 1939.

Gordon Nelson died on 7th May 1987 leaving his widow, Peggy and brother Jim and family circle. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Netterfield, David Gerald

David Gerald Netterfield

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Netterfield was born at 'Sunnyside', Dergmoney, Omagh on 11th March 1916 to Gerald Stanley Netterfield, Banker and Margaret Netterfield nee Robb. They had married on 22nd September 1908 at Holywood Presbyterian Church.

• The 1901 Irish Census records a Gerald Netterfield (C of I, County Dublin) lodging in house 10, North Street, Newtownards. He is 27 and unmarried. His occupation is recorded as a bank clerk. 

• The 1911 Irish Census records a Gerald Netterfield (C of I, County Dublin) residing in house 11 Sedan Avenue, Omagh. He is 38 and married although his wife is not recorded at that address on Census Day. His occupation is recorded as a bank official. 

• The Lennon Wylie website records a G S Netterfield as being the Pro-Manager of the Ulster Bank, Omagh (Ref: Belfast Street Directory). 

• The Kirkistown Castle Golf Club website records G S Netterfield as being Captain in 1922. A Mrs G Netterfield is recorded as being Lady Captain in 1938.

Following his education at Regent House, Newtownards, Netterfield joined the bank in 1936 at Kircubbin branch where his father was then Manager.

Netterfield volunteered and enlisted into the S/L Regiment, Royal Artillery and served in France, Belgium and Holland. He also took part in the evacuation of Dunkirk.

After demobilisation, Netterfield returned to the bank at Head Office. Transfers followed to Mountpottinger (1947), Blackrock (1950), Waterford (1955) and O'Connell Street (1960 - Teller). He was appointed as Pro-Manager in O'Connell Street in 1965 and Assistant Manger in 1967. In 1968 he was appointed to Wexford as Manager and Newtownards in 1971 as Manager.

Netterfield retired on 31st March 1979.

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

David Netterfield died on 15th January 2000 leaving 2 sisters and family circle. His wife, Joan had pre-deceased him in 1995. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Neilly, Robert

Robert Neilly (known as Bob)

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Neilly was probably born around 1916 based on a joining age of 17 to the bank..

Following his education Neilly joined the bank on 8th May 1933 at Head Office and then York Street branch in 1935.

A picture of Neilly appears on page 218 of the book 'The Ulster Bank Story' by Lyn Gallagher in the chapter called 'Juniors'. The photograph shows 4 juniors on holidays in Jersey during the 1930's. Although the text spells his surname as Neely (Premises), the index spells it as Neilly.

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

In 1940, Neilly volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Air Force and served in the Middle East as a Wireless Operator.

After demobilisation in 1946, Neilly returned to the bank at York Street branch and then on Relief Staff from 1950, Mountpottinger (19xx), Donaghadee (1956), Relief Staff (1967). He was appointed to Premises Department as Pro-Manager in 1967 and became Manager there in 1969.

Neilly is mentioned again on page 286 of the same book in a piece re the damage done to Ulster Bank premises during 1971. In one bomb attack, 2 of the staff of Neilly's department were injured.

Neilly retired on 8th May 1978.

Robert Neilly died on 24th March 1992 leaving his widow, Ethel (the former Miss Ethel Black of Castlerock). The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photograph courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Murray, James Desmond

Able Seaman James Desmond Murray (known as Desmond)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Murray was born in Lisburn on 24th June 1923 to William L Murray (latterly manager of Ulster Bank, Newtownards).

Following his education at  Friends School, Regent House, Campbell College and Methodist College, Murray joined the bank in 1941 at Head Office and Kircubbin branch.

The Lennon Wylie website records the following for Murray:

2760. *Murray, James Desmond (C), b. 24th June, 1923, son of W. L. Murray, Ulster Bank House, Newtownards.  U.IV, July, 1939.   1942-46: Royal Navy.   Bank Official.   Address: 4 Hawthornden Gardens, Belfast. (M.q.)

In 1942 Murray volunteered and joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR) subsequently transferring to the Indian Navy where he took part in combined operations in Burma. His war service included HMS Kenya (1942/46).

After demobilisation in 1946, Murray returned to the bank and worked in several branches before appointments at Donegall Place (1958 - Teller from 1961), Kircubbin (1963 - Cashier), Mountpottinger (1968 - Pro-Manager) and Killyleagh (1971 - Manager).

Murray retired on 26th June 1983. He was married to the former Miss Noel Miniss.

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Murphy, George Herbert Currie

Lieutenant George Herbert Currie Murphy (RNVR)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Murphy was probably born around 1924.

Following his education, Murphy joined the bank on 10th February 1941 at Head Office.

Murphy volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy in June 1942. He was attached to teh Royal Canadian Navy on Atlantic Convoy duty. Later, he took part in the allied invasion of Italy and Southern France in 1943 to 1944. He was 1st Lieutenant Fleet Danlayer acting as Officer in Command for a short period.

The London Gazette of 18th June 1946 records a G H C Murphy being promoted to Lieutenant in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (RNVR).

After demobilisation in 1946 he returned to the bank and worked in Shankill, York Street and Waring Street branches. In 1948 Murphy played football on the bank team.

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Appointments followed as Controller's Assistant (1960), Mountpottinger (1960 - Pro-Manager), Assistant Controller (1961), Donegall Place (1963 - Assistant Manager), Crumlin Road (1965 - Manager, Waring Street (1969 - Manager) and Area Director, Northern Region (1979).

Murphy retired in 19xx.

George Murphy died on 25th January 1996 leaving his widow, Felicity (a former official) and a daughter, Diane (Ritchie - staff member). The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Moran, Arthur Tomlinson

Arthur Tomlinson Moran

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Moran was born at 4 Roden Terrace, Belfast on 3rd April 1908 to William Patrick Moran, Methodist Minister and Adelaide Mary Moran nee Tomlinson. They were married on 5th July 1905 at a Methodist Church in Dublin.

In 1911 Moran (3) is living in house 25, Regent Street, Newtownards with his parents and sister, Adelaide Irene (4).

Following his education at Methodist College, Moran joined the bank in 1927 at Head Office followed by Ballymote branch.

Moran volunteered and enlisted into the Royal Navy.

After demobilisation, Moran returned to the bank at Secretary's Office and served in a number of branches before his appointment as Pro-Manager at Branches (1953) followed by Assistant Inspector (1956), Assistant Controller (1963) and Controller, North-East (1969).

Moran retired on 26th May 1972. This presentation photo was published in the bank staff magazine:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Arthur Moran died on 26th September 1982 leaving a sister and family circle. The bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Montgomery, Percy Ernest

Percy Ernest Montgomery (known as Percy)

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Montgomery was born in Annagh, Aughnacloy on 27th November 1910 to Robert Montgomery, Farmer and Kathleen E Montgomery nee Martin (Martyn). They had married on 4th December 1905 at St. Thomas Church of Ireland, Belfast.

In 1911, Percy (0) lived in house 1, Annagh, Aughnacloy with his parents Florence Evelyn (4) and Harry Hubert (2).

Following his education, Montgomery joined the bank at Maghera although most of his banking service was in the Belfast area branches.

Montgomery volunteered and enlisted into an Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery and took part in campaigns in the Middle East and Europe.

On demobilisation, Montgomery returned to the bank.

Retirement took him to live in Craigavad, Co. Down.

Percy Montgomery died on 7th July 1994. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Moffet, Thomas Lonsdale

Lieutenant Thomas Lonsdale Moffet (known as Toby)

Moffett was born at William Street, Lurgan on 10th November 1906 to Brown Moffet, Grocer and Martha Jane Moffet nee Harpur. They had married on 20th January 1903 at Shercock Presbyterian Church.

In 1911 Moffet (4) was living in house 92, William Street, Lurgan with his parents and 4 siblings; Mary Ellen (7), William Brown (6), John Harpur (2) and Ethel Winifred (1).

The Clan Moffet website records some family history for T L Moffett.

Following his education at Lurgan College, Moffet joined the bank at Newry branch in 1924 then Drome (D). A transfer to Banbridge followed in 1925. In 1928 Moffett was a member of Banbridge Rugby Football Club.

 

Moffett married Miss Evelyn (Eve) Donnelly on 29th September 1937.

Moffet volunteered and enlisted into the Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. He took part in the evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940. He gained a Commission in 1941. He served in Egypt, India and Burma. His service number was 170024. He was awarded the Efficiency medal (Militia).

After demobilisation, Moffet returned to the bank at Lisburn branch. Transfers followed to Crumlin (1950 - Cashier), Newry (1956 - Cashier) and Newtownhamilton (1962 - Manager) from where he retired in 1969 to live in Bangor.

Toby Moffet died on 5th October 1981 leaving his widow, Eve and son Trevor. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McMaster, John Alexander

John Alexander McMaster

McMaster was born at 37 Haypark Avenue, Belfast on 27th June 1901 to John Alexander McMaster, Book-keeper and Elizabeth Josephine McMaster nee Patrick. They had married on 20th April 1897 at All Saints Church of Ireland, Belfast.

In 1911, John (9) lived in house 32, Rossmore Avenue, Ormeau, Belfast with his parents and siblings; Annie (12) and Georgina (2).

Following his education McMaster joined the bank at Head Office in 1917.

McMaster volunteered and served in the armed forces in the latter period of the Great War. However, his name is not recorded on the Ulster Bank Great War Roll of Honour.

Following demobilisation, he returned to bank in 1920 and worked in Newtownards, Head Office, Donegal and Knock branches.

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

He again volunteered and enlisted into the armed forces during WW2.

The Forces War Records website records a J McMaster serving in the Royal Artillery as a Gunner in 1940.

After demobilisation, McMaster returned to the bank and was later appointed Pro-Manager in Mountpottinger branch. Later moves were to Magherafelt (1952 - Manager) and Castlewellan (1959 - Manager) branches. he retired from Castlewellan in 1963.

John McMaster died on 16th November 1972 leaving a widow, Elizabeth and family. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

McWilliams, Victor Norman West

Sergeant Victor Norman West McWilliams (known as Victor)

was born in Holywood on 8th September 1911 to James McWilliams, Excise Officer and Edith McWilliams nee Murphy. They had married on 26th October 1910 at Corboy Presbyterian Church, Longford.

Mrs McWilliams is recorded as staying at the Silverton Hotel, The Hill, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.  Another recorded address is 37 Princetown Road, Bangor, Co. Down.

Following his education McWilliams joined the bank in 1930 at Head Office. Transfers followed to Enniskillen. Donegall Place and Ranelagh branches.

McWilliams volunteered and enlisted into the North Irish Horse. The Lennon Wylie website records a Sergeant Victor (Vic) N W McWilliams as serving with the North Irish Horse in Singapore. His service number was 7897569.

After demobilisation, McWilliams returned to the bank and served in South (1951 - Assistant, 1960 - Teller, 1967 - Pro-Manager), College Green (1972 - Branches Pro-Manager).

Victor McWilliams died, in service, on 15th August 1973 and left a widow, Nancy and family, Elizabeth, Andrew, Simon, Eric, Avril and Honor. The Bank staff magazine published this obituary:

Bank staff magazine - photo courtesy of Rodney Sweetnam

Mary Lennon of the LennonWylie website has kindly let me use some of her McWilliams photographs.