Peter Lines

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Norbury branch

Died: 30 July 1944

Peter Lines was born on 7 October 1920 in Croydon, the son of Ernest Percy and Winifred Elsie Lines. He was educated at St Olave's School in London. He joined the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationer at its London Eastcheap branch in August 1937 and was promoted to junior clerk in November that year. In 1939 he transferred to Norbury branch where he was made clerk in 1940. He was described by his colleagues as having a delightful personality and an irreproachable character, with great promise and ability.

Lines left the bank to go on military service in March 1941, joining the Royal Air Force. He travelled to Canada and the USA for training, where he was awarded his wings and a commission. He returned to Britain in November 1941, where he served as an instructor at RAF Training Command until he was transferred to Bomber Command in early 1944. On 30 July 1944 he took off in an Avro Lancaster heavy bomber from RAF Metheringham, heading towards Normandy. However, the bomber inexplicably crashed near Pendlebury, Greater Manchester, killing all seven men on board. Flight Lieutenant Lines was 23 years old.