Charles Clayton

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Loughton branch

Died: 7 September 1944

Charles Allan Clayton, known to his colleagues as Alan, was born on 20 November 1917, the son of Frederick and Mildred Clayton. He was educated at Palmiter's Foundation School, Cambridge Heath. He joined the staff of National Provincial Bank at its London Princes Street office in September 1935 and was promoted to junior clerk in December 1935. He moved to South Woodford branch in October 1936, mainly working at the branch's sub-office at Loughton. He was promoted to clerk in January 1938. Outside work he was an enthusiastic sportsman, playing cricket, tennis and football.

In January 1940 Clayton left the bank to go on war service. He served in England with the Hertfordshire Regiment until May 1944, when he was transferred to the Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey). He went to Normandy with his unit on D-Day. Lance Corporal Clayton was wounded in action in Belgium in September 1944 and died in hospital there the following day, 7 September 1944. He was 26 years old.