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This is one of the more spectacular pieces of banking architecture in the UK to have ended its days as a pub. Martins Bank has two branches in Silver street, thanks to its constituent banks.  No.16 comes from the Halifax Equitable in 1927, and No.2 from the Halifax Commercial Bank in 1920. From that same amalgamation comes a third Halifax Branch, at King Cross.  There are no visits to 16 Silver Street by Martins Bank Magazine, but we do have a retirement feature for you.  In 1958 Mr H S Homes retires after a long and distinguished career with the bank that begins and ends in Halifax, albeit starting at No 2 Silver Street and Retiring from No 16.  As usual, Martins Bank Magazine is there to record the festivities…

In Service: 16 August 1886 until 1985

All Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030-1163

 

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1937 to 1958 Mr H S Holmes Pro Manager MBM-Wi58P48.jpg1958 04.jpgOn August 29th Mr H S Holmes, Accountant at Halifax retired after forty-four years’ service which had commenced in Halifax with the Equitable Bank in 1914 and continued unbroken there apart from a short spell at Brighouse and relief duties at nearby Branches.  He was appointed Pro Manager in 1937.  During the day Mr Holmes gave a cocktail party at a local café to a number of his business friends and acquaintances.  A party was later held in the Branch, where seventy past and present colleagues gathered from far and near to bid him farewell and to partake of the delightful tea which he had arranged.  At the ceremony which followed, Mr L Atkins, Assistant Manager, referred to Mr Holmes’ quialities which had endeared him to all; a “Christian Gentleman” in every sense of the term.  Mr F A A Beresford, Manager at Halifax, in presenting an electric fire and a cheque to Mr Holmes, paid tribute to his loyal and valued service to the Bank, and to the esteem in which he was held by those present. 

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Images © Barclays Ref 0030-1163

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He also thanked Mr Holmes for the generous way in which he had taught him the “history” of Halifax.  Mr Holmes, who had been looking forward to the occasion for some considerable time, was in great form and expressed his thanks in a delightful and reminiscent vein.  By his side, we were pleased to see Mrs Holmes, who was presented with a beautiful bouquest by Miss M Corssley.  Mr Ashworth then thanked Mr Holmes for his kind hospitality, and many old friends including Mr S Smith, Inspector; Mr Akroyd, Sub Manager of Bradford Branch, and Mrs Williams (on behalf of the Halifax Ladies) added their good wishes for a long and happy retirement.

In another of our “then and now” comparison features, here is No.16 Silver Street Branch in its Martins Bank days, and then in 2015 courtesy of Martins Colleague and friend of the Archive, John Robertshaw..

 

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-1163

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections - John Robertshaw 2015

1916 Mr J B Kergon joined the bank here MBM-Wi59P49.jpg

1921 Mr R G Kippax joined the bank here MBM-Su65P59.jpg

1924 to 1943 Mr B W Broadley Joined the bank here MBM-Au66P54

 

 

 

 

 

Mr J B Kergon

Joined the Bank Here

1916

Mr R G Kippax

Joined the Bank Here

1921

Mr T R Challis

Joined the Bank Here

1922

Mr B W Broadley

Joined the Bank Here

1924 to 1943

Mr A Mitchell

On the Staff

1927 to 1929

Mr D P Rotherforth

Joined the Bank Here

1930 to 1942

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1936 to 1936 M Hollway joined the bank here MBM-Su68P12.jpg

1938 to 1939 Mr R E Briggs MBM-Sp67P04.jpg

1940 to 1942 and 1964 to 1966 as Asst Manager Mr JF Firth  MBM-Sp64P06.jpg

1947 Mr J Halliday Manager CU MBM-Sp48P10.jpg

1948 to 1954 Mr J E Bateman Manager MBM-Wi54P45.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Mr M Hollway

Joined the Bank Here

1936 to 1936

Mr H S Holmes

Accountant

1937 to 1958

Mr R E Briggs

On the Staff

1938 to 1939

Mr J F Firth

Joined here 1940 to 1942

Asst Manager 1964-6

Mr J Halliday

Manager

1941 to 1948

Mr J E Bateman

Manager

1948 to 1954

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1949 to 1955 Mr G T Wadsworth MBM-Su68P12.jpg

1951 to 1952 Mr B Whiteley joined the bank here MBM-Au68P15.jpg

1952 Mr A Ogden Assistant Manager MBM-Sp52P52.jpg

1954 to 1961 Mr F A A Beresford Manager MBM-Au61P50.jpg

1961 to 1964 Mr R N Weightman Assistant Manager MBM-Au64P04.jpg

1961 to 1968 Mr L Atkins Manager MBM-Wi68P55.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Mr G T Wadsworth

On the Staff

1949 to 1955

Mr B Whiteley

Joined the Bank Here

1951 to 1952

Mr A Ogden

Assistant Manager

1952

Mr F A A Beresford

Manager

1954 to 1961

Mr R N Weightman

Assistant Manager

1961 to 1964

Mr L Atkins

Manager

1961 to 1968

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1964 Miss MG Fielding Cashier MBM-Au64P45.jpg

1964 Mr L Greaves Chief Cashier MBM-Wi64P38.jpg

1966 to 1968 Mr W Pearson Deputy Manager MBM-Au66P03.jpg

1967 Mr GH Wilford Accountant MBM-Wi67P05.jpg

1968 C Harris Deputy Manager MBM-Su68P22.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

Miss M G Fielding

Cashier

1964

Mr L Greaves

Chief Cashier

1964

Mr W Pearson

Deputy Manager

1966 to 1968

Mr G H Wilford

Accountant

1967

Mr C Harris

Deputy Manager

1968

Mr J D Grabham

Manager

1968 onwards

 

BARCLAYS BANK LIMITED

DISTRICT BANK LIMITED

LLOYDS BANK LIMITED

Commercial Street

King Cross

Queen’s Road

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MARTINS BANK LIMITED

16 Silver Street

King Cross

MIDLAND BANK LIMITED

23 Silver Street

Ovenden

NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WESTMINSTER BANK LIMITED

WILLIAMS DEACON’S BANK

 

 

 

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Title:

Type:

Address:

Index Number and District:

Hours:

 

Telephone:

Services:

Manager:

11-27-40 Halifax Silver Street

Full Branch

16 Silver Street Halifax Yorkshire

618 Leeds

Mon to Fri 1000-1500

Saturday 0900-1130

Halifax 57248/9

Nightsafe Installed

Mr J B Grabham Manager

 

Halifax 2 Silver Street

16 August 1886

3 January 1928

15 December 1969

1985

Opened by the Halifax Equitable Bank

Martins Bank Limited

Barclays Bank Limited 20-35-84 Halifax Silver Street

Closed

Haltwhistle

M