Charles Love

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: London West Ealing branch

Died: 17 November 1940

Charles Love, known to friends and colleagues as Charlie, was born on 29 September 1879. He first went to work for London & County Bank at its Norwood branch in March 1899, and served in numerous branches over the next 25 years. The bank itself evolved through several name changes during that time, until 1923, when it became Westminster Bank. He was an active member of the bank's staff sports club; his obituary in the staff magazine recalled that football in particular 'was always a passion with him, even when his playing days were over.'

In September 1924 Love was appointed chief clerk at London West Ealing branch. He held that post for the next 16 years, and after his death a colleague there recalled, 'he came in contact with and was loved by many on both sides of the counter. He was esteemed for his constant cheeriness and sense of humour...he was impartial in his judgement and always tried to see the other fellow's point of view. He was incapable of destructive criticism.'

On the night of 17 November 1940 Love and his wife Alice were both killed when their home in Wimbledon was destroyed in an air raid. Their son Stanley, a clerk at Westminster Bank's West Norwood branch, was also in the house at the time. He was pinned under debris from the explosion but was rescued and escaped with leg injuries.