Norman Ward

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Aylesbury branch

Died: 7 December 1940

Norman Frederick John Ward was born in 1911, the son of Frederick and Mildred Ward. He joined the staff of Westminster Bank in June 1929 at Hemel Hempstead branch, and later moved to Aylesbury branch. A colleague later recalled, 'from the time of his arrival his colleagues recognised they had someone efficient, reliable and above all humorous to work with. Without in any way courting popularity, Norman became a first favourite at the branch, and made many friends with the bank's customers.'

As war loomed at the end of the 1930s, a call was made for volunteers for anti-aircraft batteries. Ward put himself forward, so was already on service before the declaration of war. He went on to become an Acting Sergeant in the Royal Artillery, and by the time of his death was undertaking a course in an officers' cadet training unit. He died on 7 December 1940. He was 28 years old and left a widow, Beryl, whom he had married a year earlier.

Norman Ward is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest Aylesbury branch.