Dennis Bird

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: London Finsbury Square branch

Died: 24 September 1942

Dennis Robert Bird was born on 29 October 1921, the son of Alexander and Florence Bird. He had a twin brother, Clifford. He was educated at Raine’s Foundation School and joined the staff of Westminster Bank in October 1938. He was known to his colleagues as Dicky, and was later remembered by them as ‘…very likeable, always happy and a most willing worker, and ever ready to give assistance where needed.’

In November 1940 Bird left his job at the bank’s London Finsbury Square branch to join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He trained as an observer in Pensacola, Florida, for several months, before returning to join a squadron in the United Kingdom.

Sergeant Bird was killed in a plane crash on 24 September 1942, during a formation flying exercise. He was 20 years old and left a widow, Irene Emily, whom he had married in 1940.

Dennis Bird is commemorated on a bank war memorial held at NatWest Group Archives.