Alexander Smellie

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Banbury branch

Died: 8 April 1943

Alexander Smellie was born on 27 September 1915, the son of William and Kathleen Smellie. He was educated at Hymers College, Hull and in 1933-1934 was both head prefect and cricket captain of the college. He joined the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationer at Lincoln Smiths' Bank branch in August 1934. He was promoted to junior clerk a few months later and to clerk in January 1937. In June 1938 he moved to Leicester branch and in September 1939 to Banbury branch. Outside work he was an all-round athlete. He played with the Hull Cricket Club, was chosen in the final rugby trial for Nottinghamshire and took part in Derbyshire and Lincolnshire county matches, and also won several cups and medals as a keen swimmer.

In May 1940 he left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Armoured Corps, Nottinghamshire Yeomanry. Trooper Smellie was killed in action in Tunisia on 8 April 1943. He was 27 years old. 

In a letter to Smellie's parents, his commanding officer later wrote 'He died most gallantly for his squadron which had moved to cut off the withdrawal of some enemy guns which were eventually captured; your son, who was a driver, got out to adjust his engine and came under heavy shell fire; a piece of shrapnel killed him outright, so he did not suffer.'