Robert Sargent

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Colchester branch

Died: 20 November 1942

Robert Ray Sargent, known to his bank colleagues as Bobby, was born on 5 May 1920, the only son of Robert and Kathleen Ray Sargent. He was educated at Colchester Royal Grammar School, and joined the staff of Westminster Bank at its Colchester branch in October 1936. Outside work he enjoyed playing golf and tennis. 

At the outbreak of war in September 1939 Sargent joined the Essex Yeomanry, and in May 1941 he transferred to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He trained as a pilot in Canada for nine months, then returned to England, where he was posted to Coastal Command and took part in many raids over enemy territory. He was killed in a raid on a German convoy off the Dutch coast on 20 November 1942. He was 22 years old.

Robert Sargent is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest Colchester branch.