Alfred Dawes

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Childwall branch

Died: 2 October 1942

Alfred Ernest Dawes was born on 12 April 1917, the only son of William and Elizabeth Dawes. He joined the staff of Westminster Bank at its Cressington branch in July 1936, and in January 1939 moved to Childwall branch. 

Dawes was also a member of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and in August 1939 he was called up for war service as a Sub-Lieutenant. For two years he was performing administrative duties which did not necessitate his going to sea, but shortly after his promotion to Lieutenant he applied for and obtained a sea-going appointment on board HM Curacoa. On 2 October 1942, during escort duty, Curacoa was accidentally hit by RMS Queen Mary, which it was escorting in the Atlantic, just north of Ireland. Lieutenant Dawes was one of the 337 men who died as a result of the collision. He was 25 years old and left a widow, Lily whom he had married in 1941.

His obituary in the bank's staff magazine noted 'He was a young man of many attainments, both scholastic and social. These, allied with a charm of manner and an obvious sincerity, had won for him a host of friends who deeply mourn his passing.'

Alfred Dawes is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest Liverpool Old Swan branch.