Eric Pattison

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Bedminster branch

Died: 23 May 1941

Eric Ronald Pattison was born on 28 November 1914, the son of Frederick William and Florence May Pattison, of Exeter, Devon. He was educated at Alleyn's School, Dulwich, and Exeter School. He joined the staff of National Provincial Bank at Crediton branch in October 1931 as a probationer. He was appointed junior clerk at Crediton effective from December 1931. He progressed to clerk at Exeter St Thomas branch in 1934 and later to clerk at Bedminster branch in 1937, where he remained until the outbreak of war. He was a well-known member of the Exe Sailing Club and regularly took part in races held in the Exe and neighbouring waters. 

He obtained a commission in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on March 1939 and in October of the same year left the bank to go on full time war service, as assistant secretary to Captain Lord Louis Mountbatten aboard flotilla leader HMS Kelly. From Probationary Paymaster Sub-Lieutenant he rose to the rank of Paymaster Lieutenant and continued to serve on HMS Kelly until he was killed with her sinking on 23 May 1941. Captain Lord Louis Mountbatten wrote to Pattison's parents,  'I watched your son develop from a very raw young officer into a really reliable first class naval officer. He was the most popular member of the happiest ward room I have ever come across'.