Frederick Pearson

Bank: National Provincial Bank of England

Place of work: Wolverhampton branch

Died: 7 July 1915

Frederick Phillips Pearson was born in Liverpool on 11 May 1880, the youngest son of Edward Pearson, a draper, and his wife Maria. He was educated at Merchant Taylor's School, Crosby.

Pearson's uncle was manager of National Provincial Bank of England's Darlington branch. Perhaps through this family connection, Pearson secured an apprenticeship with the bank, starting at Chester branch in November 1897. After finishing his three-year apprenticeship, he stayed on there as a clerk.

Outside work, Pearson had joined the Cheshire Regiment as a volunteer. When the Boer War broke out he volunteered to go to South Africa, earning while there the Queen's South Africa Medal with three clasps.

On his return to England Pearson returned to work at the bank. In May 1902 he moved to Durham branch; in December 1903 to London office; and in January 1910 to Birmingham branch. In April 1912 he was appointed pro accountant at Hay branch, and in January 1914 was promoted to accountant there. In April 1914 he moved to Wolverhampton branch as cashier. His manager there described him as 'quick, accurate and trustworthy. Gentlemanly appearance and manners. Polite, obliging and popular cashier.' He was also a member of the bank's staff sports club.

In September 1914 Pearson volunteered for the army once more, this time joining the South Staffordshire Regiment and becoming a Corporal. He went to France in March 1915. On 7 July 1915 Pearson was helping to dig out two men who had been buried by a shell when another shell came over. He was struck in the head and killed. His Lieutenant subsequently wrote, 'he was actually killed in trying to save the life of other men, which I take it is the greatest thing a man can do.'

Frederick Pearson is commemorated on a bank war memorial held at NatWest Group Archives.