John Brownsell

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Head Office, London

Died: 16 January 1942

John Stewart Brownsell was born on 9 October 1920, the son of Walter Ernley Brownsell and his wife Hannah. He joined the staff of Westminster Bank at its London head office in October 1937, just after his 17th birthday. He was a keen member of the bank’s staff sports club, especially enjoying golf and cross-country running.

In September 1939 Brownsell left the bank to go on war service in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, training as an air gunner. Sergeant Brownsell was killed on 16 January 1942 as part of the crew of a Hudson bomber which crashed in Norfolk on its way back to base from patrolling the North Sea. All four crewmen were killed. Sergeant Brownsell was 21 years old.