Robert Hope

Bank: Williams Deacon's Bank

Place of work: Manchester St Ann Street office

Died: 3 April 1943

Robert Bernard Hope was born in Essex in 1912, the son of Robert Ernest Hope, a bank worker, and his wife Rosina Harriett. He was educated at Worksop College, Nottinghamshire. In 1936 he followed his father into banking, going to work for Williams Deacon's Bank. From August 1936 he was based at the bank's head office in St Ann Street, Manchester.

In October 1940 Hope's younger brother Peter, who was serving in the Royal Navy, was killed in action off the coast of Spain. Two months later, on 23 December 1940, Hope himself left to go on military service, joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and eventually becoming a pilot. 

On March 30 1943 Hope was flying an aircraft on a bombing raid to Berlin. The plane lost one engine due to overheating and came under heavy fire, but Hope brought it safely back to base. For his 'outstanding coolness, courage and devotion to duty' on that occasion he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. 

Just a few days later, on 3 April 1943, Flight Lieutenant Hope was killed in action on another mission to Germany. He was 31 years old.

Robert Hope is commemorated on a bank war memorial at Hardman Boulevard office, Manchester.