Jack Best

Bank: London County & Westminster Bank

Place of work: Worthing branch

Died: 15 May 1918

Jack Best was born in Harrow on 22 February 1892, the second son of Albert Best, a bank clerk, and his wife Lizzie. He was educated at John Lyon's School, Harrow and Churchers College, Petersfield.

In April 1909, when he was 17 years old, Best went to work for London & County Bank. Later that year London & County Bank merged with London & Westminster Bank, and Best became an employee of the enlarged London County & Westminster Bank.

At the outbreak of the First World War Best left his job as a clerk at the bank's Worthing branch to join the army. He initially joined the Royal Garrison Artillery, and later in 1914 was commissioned into the Royal Sussex Regiment. In 1915 he transferred to the Machine Gun Corps, and fought on the Somme. In October 1917 he was promoted to the rank of Captain.

Captain Best was killed instantly when he was struck by a shell fragment on the morning of 15 May 1918. He was 26 years old.