Marcus Fluck

Bank: Parr's Bank

Place of work: London Bartholomew Lane office

Died: 9 May 1915

Marcus Graham Fluck was born in 1893, the son of Theodore Graham Fluck, a hat manufacturer, and his wife Alice Jane Frederica. After leaving school Fluck became an insurance clerk, but in about 1913 he moved to Parr's Bank, working in its London Bartholomew Lane office. He also joined the bank's staff sports club, and played for the staff football team.

Early in the First World War Fluck joined the London Regiment, but during training in England he contracted measles which led to near-fatal complications. He later made a full recovery, and was allowed to rejoin his regiment. Private Fluck was drafted to the Western Front in March 1915. He served side-by-side with Private HE Rae, a close friend from the bank who had joined up at the same time as him.

On Sunday 9 May 1915 the dug-out in which Fluck, Rae and about eight others were sitting was hit by a shell, killing three men, including Private Fluck. He was 22 years old. Their company moved off to new billets the next day, but Rae was given special permission to stay behind to see his friend buried.

The bank's staff magazine carried an obituary for Fluck, which noted 'Full of the zest of life, yet of a gentle nature and cheerful temperament, he endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact, and made many friends who now mourn his loss. Although with us only two years, such was the impression he made that we shall never forget him'.

Fluck's older brother Harold, who worked for National Provincial Bank of England, another of our constituent banks, was killed in action in Palestine in 1917.

Marcus Fluck is commemorated on a bank war memorial held at NatWest Group Archives.