Vernon Holden

Bank: London County & Westminster Bank

Place of work: Maidstone branch

Died: 2 October 1918

Vernon Holden was born on 7 January 1893, the son of Joseph Edward Holden and his wife Annie Eliza. On his 17th birthday in 1910 he went to work for London County & Westminster Bank.

In July 1915 Holden left his job at the bank's Maidstone branch to join the army, initially as a Private in the King's Royal Rifle Corps. He earned rapid promotion, and by 1918 was a Major in The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), attached to The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). He was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his efforts at the Somme. He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry and devotion to duty during a gun battle in the summer of 1917.

Major Holden died on 2 October 1918 of wounds received in action in Belgium. He was 25 years old.

Vernon Holden is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest Maidstone branch.