Francis Alston

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work:  Fairfield branch

Died: 19 August 1942

Francis Desmond Alston was born on 24 April 1911, the son of Joseph Andrew and Mary Louisa Alston. He joined the staff of Westminster Bank in April 1929. He became very popular with his colleagues, one of whom later recalled him as ‘one who always gave of his best in everything he undertook’. 

Outside work he was a keen sportsman, playing cricket for Aigburth Club and also enjoying table tennis. In 1939 he married Mildred Mary Wiseman. 

In December 1940 Alston left his job at the bank’s Fairfield branch, to which he had been posted in February 1939, to join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. After himself training as a pilot, he became a flying instructor. Pilot Officer Alston was killed in a night flying accident whilst instructing on 19 August 1942. He was 31 years old and left a widow, Mildred, and their young daughter.