James Love

Bank: Ulster Bank

Place of work: Castlewellan branch

Died: 1 June 1940

James Clements Love was born on 21 July 1917. In March 1937 he started work for Ulster Bank at its Castlewellan branch. 

At the outbreak of war in September 1939 Love left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Sergeant Love joined 254 Squadron, a Coastal Command Squadron, and he took part in air operations over Dunkirk during the Dunkirk evacuations, which happened between 28 May and 4 June 1940. The Blenheim in which he was flying was lost over Dunkirk on 1 June 1940, with all three crew members missing, presumed dead. He was 22 years old.

James Love is commemorated on two memorials at Ulster Bank’s Belfast head office: its roll of honour for staff who served in the Second World War and its memorial for those who fell.