Lester Sanders

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: London Plaistow branch

Died: 23 October 1942

Lester Vincent Sanders, known to his bank colleagues as Sandy, was born on 15 May 1919, the son of William Edwin and Sarah Zillah Sanders. He joined the staff of Westminster Bank at its London Plaistow branch in August 1935 where, a colleague later recalled 'his sunny nature and cheerful outlook made him extremely popular with customers and staff alike.' Outside work he was a member of the Civil Air Guild, and gained his pilot's certificate in June 1939.

He left the bank to go on active service with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in May 1940, and after a period of training in Rhodesia was posted to a squadron as Flight Sergeant. After a number of fights over the North Sea and France he was commissioned and posted to Malta, where he was shot down but relatively unharmed. Posted back to England, he became a test pilot in the Midlands. 

Flight Lieutenant Sanders was killed in a flying accident on 23 October 1942. He was 23 years old. It was announced after his death that he had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Lester Sanders is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest London East Ham branch.