Arthur Stiles

Bank: London County & Westminster Bank

Place of work: London Oxford Street branch

Died: 3 August 1916

Arthur James Stiles was born on 12 March 1896, the son of James Burford Stiles and his wife Helen Mary. In June 1914, when he was 18 years old, he went to work for London County & Westminster Bank.

In February 1915 Stiles left his job as a clerk at the bank's London Oxford Street branch to join the army, initially in the Honourable Artillery Company. In January 1916 he was commissioned into the Royal Fusiliers.

Second Lieutenant Stiles was killed in action on the Somme on 3 August 1916, one week after arriving at the Western Front. He was 20 years old. His commanding officer later wrote, 'he was killed while leading his platoon with the utmost gallantry, and inspired by his splendid spirit they reached their objective absolutely successful.'

Arthur Stiles is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest London Dean Street branch.