James Dadswell

Bank: National Provincial Bank of England

Place of work: London office

Died: 6 April 1917

James Arnold Dadswell was born on 5 May 1896, the son of James Thomas Dadswell, a journalist, and his wife Elizabeth. Dadswell senior died of typhoid fever in Mexico City in 1899, leaving his three-year-old son to be raised by Elizabeth, who ran a millinery business. He was educated at Tiffins Boys' School, Kingston-upon-Thames.

Dadswell had a relative who worked as a clerk in National Provincial Bank of England's London Kensington High Street branch. Through this family connection, Dadswell secured an apprenticeship with the bank. He started work at its London office in March 1914, when he was 17 years old. His manager there described him as 'a very nice type of youth. Is doing very well and shows promise.'

During the First World War Dadswell joined the army, serving as a Private in the London Regiment. He died of appendicitis in hospital in France on 6 April 1917. He was 20 years old.

Private Dadswell is commemorated on a bank war memorial held at NatWest Group Archives.