John Ridd

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Westcliff-on-Sea branch

Died: 3 April 1943

John Horace Ridd was born on 10 December 1911, the son of William John and Lucy Emma Ridd. He joined the staff of Westminster Bank at its London Canning Town branch in February 1930, and in March 1935 moved to Westcliff-on-Sea (Chalkwell Park) branch. A bank colleague later recalled, 'he was of the type that rapidly finishes his own work, and then looks to see whom he can help. Although fundamentally of a most serious disposition, he had a dry humour, which will not be forgotten, and this happy combination made him a most agreeable colleague.'

In August 1940 he was accepted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and after obtaining his wings as a Sergeant Wireless Air Gunner, served on the crew of a Lancaster bomber. He was severely wounded, and after recovering became an instructor and obtained a commission as a Pilot Officer. In April 1943 he volunteered for an operational flight - his first in seven months - to Essen. The plane was lost on that mission, and Pilot Officer Ridd was presumed to have been killed on 3 April 1943. He was 31 years old and left a widow, Lilian, whom he had married in 1938.

John Ridd is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest Southend branch.