Wilfred Davis

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Manchester Longsight branch

Died: 16 December 1941

Wilfred Anthony Michael Davis, known to his bank colleagues as Tony, was born on 15 January 1911, the son of Constance and Thomas F Davis. He was educated at Denstone College and joined the staff of Westminster Bank at its Nottingham Thurland Street branch in 1928. He moved to St Helens branch in 1937, and to Manchester Longsight branch in January 1938. A bank colleague later recalled, 'In the performance of his duties he was always unassumingly efficient and courteous in manner. It is doubtful whether anyone ever saw him in the least degree ruffled in temper, whilst on occasion he would brighten the hour with as much wit and humour as his modesty permitted.' 

Outside work he was an enthusiastic sportsman. He was a member of Nottinghamshire's county badminton team by the age of 18, and for four seasons in the late 1930s he regularly represented Wales in international badminton matches. He was also a cricketer, playing at school and later for teams drawn from the Nottingham Banks, Urmston and Manchester. 

In February 1941 Davis left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Leading Aircraftman Davis was nearing the completion of his training when he was killed in a flying accident on 16 December 1941. He was 32 years old. 

Wilfred Davis is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest Heaton Chapel branch.