James Hawthorne

Bank: Ulster Bank

Place of work: Donegal branch

Died: 1 February 1941

James Thomas Hawthorne was born on 6 November 1912, the son of James Thomas and Mary Hawthorne. In April 1934 he went to work for Ulster Bank at its head office in Belfast. Eleven months later he moved to Ballina branch, then back to head office in October 1935. He moved back again to Ballina branch in March 1936; to head office in November 1936; and to Donegal branch in February 1937. 

In November 1939 Hawthorne left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He trained to be a wireless operator. Sergeant Hawthorne was killed in a flying accident in England on 1 February 1941. He was 28 years old.

James Hawthorne 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.