11-88-40 Hull Whitefriargate

The Halifax Equitable Bank opens its doors for business in 1899, and in the same year a branch is established at Whitefriargate, Hull. The bank changes its name in 1913 to The Equitable Bank, and in 1927 it amalgamates with the Bank of Liverpool and Martins. The advertismement below, which is from 1931, shows the two branches of Martins that are open at this time in Hull – Whitefriargate continues to be Martins’ main branch in the town, with a sub branch at Newland on Beverley High Road, until 1958 when another sub branch is opened at Story Street.

Moving Day…

By 1962 Martins’ business at Hull has expanded to the point where premises are sought for a new main branch. Whitefriargate is closed, and the business relocates to Market Place. We are delighted to have images of the combined Hull staffs moving out of Whitefriargate in 1962, which were kindly supplied by Bob Sykes. We don’t imagine for a minute that the contents of an entire branch would fit such a small van, but a ready team of movers from the male staff of Whitefriargate have given up their weekend, and are on hand to do the job in as many vanloads as it takes! From left to right, we see:

Colin Redshaw, Wally Kay, Doug James, George Clark (Branch Manager) Robert (Bob)Sykes, Mike Hall and an un-named driver…

In Service: 1899 until 1962

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections - R E H Sykes 1962

Image © Stephen Walker – September 1927

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collection – April 1942

Newspaper Image © Northcliffe Media Limited Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. Image reproduced

with kind permission of The British Newspaper Archive

Our feature is the retirement of aptly named First Cashier Mr L R Martin, who holds that position at Whitefriargate from 1949 until 1960. A veteran of the First World War, his entire forty-four years with the bank are spent at the same branch…

1960 04 MBM.jpg 1949 to 1960 Mr L R Martin First Cashier MBM-Wi60P55.jpg At the end of October Mr. L. R. Martin, first cashier at Hull branch since 1949 retired after nearly 44 years' service, performed entirely at Hull, apart from service in Germany in the First World War, 1918-1920. He became a signing officer in 1948. To mark the occasion a party was held at the Royal Station Hotel, and the attendance included members of the staff, wives and some of the customers. Leeds District Office was represented by Mr. E. J. Winnard, Inspector. Some of the customers had joined in the presentation fund and Mr. Winnard made the presentation on behalf of the subscribers of a transistor radio set and two folding beach chairs. The girls of the branch presented Mrs. Martin with a large sheaf of chrysanthemums. After Mr. Winnard had referred to Mr. Martin's long and devoted service Mr. C. Eric Exley, a customer who had known Mr Martin for 48 years, paid tribute to his unfailing courtesy and excellent service. Mr and Mrs. Martin will continue to live at Hornsea and we all hope that Mr. Martin's recent unsatisfactory health will rapidly improve. Their house adjoins the golf course and Mr. Martin intends to resume his golfing activities.



*Mr H T Bartrop* *Joined the Bank here* *1922 to 1939*	*Mr D Feather* *Joined the Bank here* *1929 to 1931*	*Mr C Shipley* *Joined the Bank Here* *1935 to 1940*	*Mr C Russell* *Manager* *1935 to 1947*	*Mr J S Corkhill* *On the Staff* *1939 to 1955*	*Mr G T Greenfield* *On the Staff* *1941 to 1943*



*Mr C D Scurr* *Joined the Bank Here* *1944 to 1947*	*Mr A L S Watson* *Joined the Bank Here* *1946 to 1947*	*Mr F Akroyd* *Pro Manager* *1947 to 1951*	*Mr G H Clark* *Manager* *1947 to 1962*	*Mr L R Martin* *First Cashier* *1949 to 1960*	*Mr E Hinchcliffe* *Pro Manager* *1951 to 1954*



*Mr A C (Tony) Tarsey* *Joined the Bank Here* *1958 to 1962*	*Diane Haldenby* *Joined the Bank Here* *1958 to 1962*	*Mr C F Redshaw* *On the Staff* *1959 to 1962*	*Sheila Broughton* *Joined the Bank Here* *1960 to 1962*	*Doug James* *Joined the Bank Here* *1960 to 1962*	*Mike Hall* *Joined the Bank Here* *1961 to 1962*



*Mr R E H Sykes* *On the Staff* *1961 to 1962*	*Wally Kay* *On the Staff* *1961 to 1962*