Gilbert Wedgwood

Bank: Ulster Bank

Place of work: Head Office

Died: 1 July 1916

Gilbert Colclough Wedgwood was born in Dublin in 1893, the son of George Ryles Wedgwood, a Methodist minister, and his wife Elizabeth. He had 8 brothers and sisters. After leaving school he went to work for Ulster Bank.

In October 1914 Wedgwood left his job at the bank's Belfast head office to join the army. By 1916 he was a Lieutenant in the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). He was killed on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. He was 22 years old. His younger brother, Philip, was killed on the same day, also on the Somme. Their mother later placed a notice in the Belfast Evening Telegraph: 'In loving memory of my dear sons, Gilbert and Philip Wedgwood, killed in action at the Somme on July 1, 1916. Elizabeth Wedgwood.'

Gilbert Wedgwood is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the First World War and its memorial for those who fell.