Lewis Linell

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: London City Office

Died: 18 March 1945

Lewis Wilfred Royle Linell was born on 29 August 1911, the son of Marian and John Royle Linell. He was educated at King's School, Canterbury. He joined the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationer at its Barnard Castle branch in July 1928. He was promoted to junior clerk in October 1928. Linell transferred to York in 1929 and was promoted to clerk shortly thereafter in 1930. He moved to Hull branch in 1931 and to London City Office in 1936. Here he played in the bank’s first rugby and cricket teams and was admired for his sportsmanship. His colleagues also remembered his friendliness, ability, and ‘sterling character’, and he was very popular among colleagues and customers alike.

Outside work Linell was a Territorial soldier, and just before the outbreak of the Second World War he was called up for full time military service in the Royal Artillery. I. In 1943 he volunteered for transfer to the Indian Army, where he saw heavy action on the Burma front. Major Linell died in Burma on 18 March 1945 of wounds received in action. He was 33 years old and survived by his fiancée.