David Evans

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Ellesmere Port branch

Died: 25 June 1944

David Ronald Evans was born on 7 February 1918, the son of Hilda and D Ernest Evans. He was educated at Elleray Park School, Wallasey, and Oakham School, and joined the staff of Westminster Bank at its Ellesmere Port branch in March 1937. A bank colleague later recalled, 'He was a very friendly boy who strove hard and conscientiously to give of his best, and was unfailingly cheerful and optimistic, characteristics which made him good company and brought him hosts of friends, not a few of whom were wont to call him affectionately 'little David', though his lack of stature could not dwarf a big heart.'

Outside work he was an active member of Chester Rugby Club and Curzon Park Golf Club. In spring 1939, anticipating war, he volunteered for the Cheshire Yeomanry. He was mobilised for active service at the outbreak of war in September, and by the end of the year was posted to the Middle East. He later undertook officer training in Egypt, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Cheshire Regiment in March 1943. He was subsequently attached to the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, with which he served in Italy, and was promoted to Lieutenant in September 1943.

Lieutenant Evans later returned to England, before taking part in the invasion of France in early summer 1944. He was killed under heavy mortar fire in France on 25 June 1944. He was 27 years old. His obituary in the bank's staff magazine remarked, 'it truly might be said of him he never let the side down.'

David Evans is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest Ellesmere Port branch.