John Birrell

Bank: The Royal Bank of Scotland

Place of work: Dunfermline branch

Died: 25 July 1918

John Birrell was born in Windygates, Fife, on 11 September 1899, the son of David Birrell, a coal mine under-manager, and his wife Catherine. He was educated at Dunfermline High School. In November 1914, when he was 15 years old, he started working for the Royal Bank of Scotland as apprentice at its Dunfermline branch.

In October 1917, one month after his 18th birthday, Birrell left the bank to join the army, becoming a Corporal in the Gordon Highlanders. He was killed by machine gun fire in France on 25 July 1918. He was 18 years old.  

John Birrell is commemorated on a bank war memorial at 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh.