Rupert Deal

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Portsmouth branch

Died: 29 January 1944

Rupert George Arthur Deal was born in Portugal on 23 November 1921, the son of Bessie Maud and Herbert George Deal. He was educated at the Royal Masonic School, Bushey before joining the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationer at Portsmouth branch in July 1939. He was promoted to junior clerk in October 1939. 

In November 1941 Deal left the bank to go on war service. He was soon commissioned into the Hampshire Regiment, and by 1944 held the rank of Lieutenant. In January 1944 he was wounded in action and reported missing at Monte Camino, Italy. The War Office later concluded that he had been killed on 29 January 1944. He was 31 years old. His commanding officer wrote, 'In Lieutenant Deal I have lost one of my most promising and gallant young officers and the men of the 'B' Company of which he was in command on January 29th, had the utmost confidence in his leadership.'