George Browne

Bank: London County & Westminster Bank

Place of work: Southend branch

Died: 23 September 1918

George Ernest Melford Browne was born in March 1899 in Edmonton, the son of George Ernest Browne and his wife Ada Emily. In April 1916, when he was 17 years old, Browne went to work for London County & Westminster Bank.

On his 18th birthday, in March 1917, Browne left his post as a clerk at the bank's Southend branch to join the Army Service Corps. He later transferred to the Rifle Brigade, undertaking home defence duties on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. While there, he was recommended for a commission in the Royal Flying Corps (later the Royal Air Force), and gained his Observer's wings in August 1918.

Lieutenant Browne was shot down and killed during a reconnaissance mission on 23 September 1918. He was 19 years old.