John Corkill

Bank: Isle of Man Banking Co

Place of work: Head Office, Douglas

Died: 16 August 1915

John Edward Corkill was born on the Isle of Man on 15 February 1893, the only son of John Edward Corkill, a policeman, and his wife Eleanor. In July 1910, when he was 17 years old, he went to work for Isle of Man Bank as an apprentice at its Port St Mary branch. He moved to Douglas Regent Street branch in November 1912, and to the bank's Douglas head office in September 1914. He completed his four-year apprenticeship in July 1914, a few days before war was declared.

In May 1915 Corkill wrote to his manager at the bank, asking permission to join the Motor Transport Division, since he had some experience of driving. Permission was granted, and Corkill joined up.

Private John Edward Corkill of the Army Service Corps was at Colchester on 16 August 1915, when he was accidentally crushed between a motor lorry and a tree. He was 22 years old, and was the first member of staff from Isle of Man Bank to be killed in the First World War.