James Siddell

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Weaste branch

Died: 9 October 1944

James Holt Siddell was born on 24 April 1916, the son of James Ernest Siddell, a banker, and his wife Anne. In April 1934 he followed in the footsteps of his father by joining the staff of Westminster Bank at its branch in Upper Brighton, Wallasey. He transferred to Birkenhead branch in 1937, and also spent time at Rock Ferry and New Ferry branches. He moved to Weaste branch in August 1939. A bank colleague later recalled him as 'a livewire, he was a keen, good worker, ever keen to help on any job.'

In December 1939 Siddell left the bank to join the Royal Army Service Corps. He transferred to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in October 1941, becoming a Sergeant Navigator. He was commissioned in October 1943. He was just starting his second operational tour when he was killed on a bombing raid over Germany on 9 October 1944. Flying Officer Siddell was 28 years old and left a widow, Betty, whom he had married in 1942. 

At the time of Siddell's death his younger brother Henry, also a member of staff of Westminster Bank and also a Flying Officer in the RAFVR, was missing in the Far East. It later emerged that he had been killed in 1942.

James Siddell is commemorated on a bank war memorial held at NatWest Group Archives.