John Oliver

Bank: London County & Westminster Bank

Place of work: London Lombard Street branch

Died: 10 September 1916

John Leslie Oliver was born on 20 December 1892. He was educated at Alleyn's School, Dulwich. In February 1910, when he was 17 years old, he went to work for London County & Westminster Bank. A keen sportsman and strong swimmer, he joined the bank's staff hockey team.

On 6 August 1914, two days after the outbreak of the First World War, Oliver left his job as a clerk at the bank's London Lombard Street branch to enlist in the army. He was wounded in the head by a bullet in 1915, but made a full recovery, and was able to return to active service.

Oliver, a Serjeant in the London Regiment, was killed in action in France on 10 September 1916. He was 23 years old. His Captain later wrote to Oliver's father, saying 'We have served together for over two years; it is impossible for me to say how much I miss him, he was not only a charming man but was a splendid soldier, and never lost heart or altered in the most dangerous situations.'

John Oliver is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest City of London office.