Leslie Thompson

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Hathersage branch

Died: 17 April 1943

Leslie Thompson was born on 10 May 1921, the son of Harold and Mary Florence Thompson. He joined the staff of Westminster Bank at its Sheffield branch in May 1938, and the following year transferred to Hathersage branch. 

In May 1940 Thompson left the bank to join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. After initial training he served for a time in the Mediterranean on board the aircraft carrier Furious. In October 1941 he was posted to Canada, and then to the United States of America, to train as a pilot. He gained his wings in July 1942 and returned to England. 

Sergeant Thompson was pilot of a Wellington bomber on a number of operational flights in the spring of 1943, but on 17 April 1943 was killed during air operations over Germany. He was 21 years old. His commanding officer wrote, 'He was a fine chap, and we all had complete confidence in his technical ability. He was very popular with his brother-Sergeants, and will be greatly missed in the Sergeants' mess. I can say personally that he set a splendid example for all ranks, and his loss is being felt keenly.' Back at the bank, his obituary in the staff magazine noted 'the bank has lost a very promising youngster, and the Hathersage staff a colleague whose sterling qualities, combined with a winning personality and unfailing humour, endeared him to all.'

Leslie Thompson is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest Bakewell branch.