Russell Walford

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: London Devonshire House branch

Died: 16 August 1944

Russell Crossley Walford was born on 15 March 1913, the son of Frances and James Russell Walford, who worked for National Provincial Bank. He was educated at Hurstpierpoint College. 

In February 1931 Walford joined the staff of his father's bank as a probationer in the advance department at the bank's London head office. He was promoted to junior clerk three months later and moved to London Devonshire House branch in November 1932. He was promoted to clerk in July 1933 and moved to London St Mary Axe branch in December 1936. He played rugby for the bank's first teams, and was known to his teammates as Buster. In 1939 he joined the anti-aircraft Royal Engineers Territorials. 

As a territorial, Walford was called up on the outbreak of war. He quickly transferred to the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and obtained a commission in 1940. In August 1942 he married his fiancée, Irene. The day after his second wedding anniversary, on 16 August 1944, Captain Russell Walford was killed instantly by a shell in France. He was 31 years old and the inscription on his gravestone reads 'In proud and loving memory of my dear husband. He was greatly loved.'