11-91-30 Newcastle upon Tyne Gallowgate

The North Eastern Banking Company’s branch at Gallowgate opens in 1900. In 1914 the NEBC merges with the Bank of Liverpool and we see the branch in our photograph (right and below, courtesy of Newcastle Libraries) in its Bank of Liverpool and Martins days. Here, we find ourselves at the heart of the largest District of Martins Bank – the North East – which, included across a vast and diverse part of England, easily has more Martins branches tucked away in towns large and small, and the tiniest of villages, than any other single District of the Bank. That is more than 200 branches.

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections:

Newcastle Libaries Ref 29610

In Service: 1900 until 12 December 1969

Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections: Newcastle Libaries Ref 29610

In the Barclays collection of Martins branch photos, there is only ONE photograph of Gallowgate as Martins Bank (right). In fact you would be forgiven for thinking that the branch does not feature at all, but this rather curious shot includes a lot of 1960s period detail with just a glimpse of the Branch to the right – the words Martins Bank Limited almost obscured by the branches of the tree! Under Martins, Gallowgate runs as a full branch open across the full six banking week. Its fate is recorded as “business transferred to Barclays Percy Street”, just before the 1969 merger. In the last available listing of Bank Branches (from 1967/8), Barclays has 25 branches and Martins 18 listed in the City of Newcastle upon Tyne. Our feature is the retirement of Mr Middleton, whose forty-four years of service has included thirteen as the Branch Manager at Gallowgate…

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-0200

1958 04 MBM.jpg 1945 to 1958 Mr H G D Middleton Manager MBM-Wi58P53.jpg On the occasion of his retirement from the Bank after 44 years' service Mr. Middleton gave a party to about 70 of his colleagues at the Northern Conservative and Unionist Club in Newcastle on October 31st. Among those present were Mr. L. J. Walton, District General Manager; Mr. G. E. Clarkson, Assistant District Manager; Mr. W. S. Blaylock, Inspector; and Mr. G. K. Eaves, Manager of Newcastle City Office. Mr. Pettier, Accountant at Gallowgate, presided at the presentation ceremony and the gift of a cheque was made on behalf of the subscribers by Mr. Walton. The gift is to be used for the purchase of an antique writing desk. Mr. Walton paid a warm tribute to Mr. Middleton and to his twenty years' service as a manager. A number of telegrams were received from Mr. Middleton's friends in other Districts. Mr. Middleton entered the Bank in 1914 at Hebburn.

He served in the First World War from 1916-18, being grievously wounded. On his return he served for varying periods at Newcastle City Office, Quayside and Gallowgate. He was appointed Pro Manager at King Street, South Shields, in 1932, Manager at Jarrow in 1938, and Manager at Gallowgate in 1945. In 1946 he was made a J.P. in Jarrow.



*Mr D T Hall* *On the Staff* *1919 to 1928*	*Mr R M Goldie* *Pro Manager* *1922 to 1924*	*Mr J Shotton* *On the Staff* *1925 to 1948*	*Mr A Cummin* *Manager* *1933 to 1934*	*Mr A H C Pickering* *Pro Manager* *1933 to 1935*	*Mr N H Marsh* *Manager* *1935 to 1945*



*Mr R J Pearson* *On the Staff* *1942 to 1943*	*Mr R G Lamb* *Joined the Bank Here* *1944 to 1944*	*Mr H G D Middleton* *Manager* *1945 to 1958*	*Mr T A Douglas* *On the Staff* *1947 to 1948*	*Mr W S Brown* *Pro Manager* *1951 to 1952*	*Mr E H Jackson* *Pro Manager* *1954 to 1957*



*Mr Barry Grogan* *On the Staff* *1961 to 1963*	*Mr M Walker* *On the Staff* *1962 to 1965*	*Mr T D Muitt* *Pro Manager* *1962 to 1965*	*Mr M S Blaylock* *Pro Manager* *1965 to 1967*	*Mr A Cook* *Pro Manager* *1967*	*Mr W F Surtees* *Manager* *1967 onwards*