Wilfred Cove

Bank: Union of London & Smiths Bank

Place of work: London Regent Street branch

Died: 7 March 1917

Wilfred John Cove was born on 11 June 1882. He worked for Union of London & Smiths Bank at its London Regent Street branch.

During the First World War Cove joined the army, serving as a Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He died in Belgium on 7 March 1917. He was 34 years old. He left a widow, Ethel Louisa, whom he had married in 1908, and 2 daughters, Marjorie Frederica, who became a beneficiary of the Bank Clerks' Orphanage and Betty Marie.

Wilfred Cove is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest City of London office.

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Message of remembrance

Jackie Taylor September 15 2019 7:39PM

Every year Wilfred at this time I tell your story to children age ten and eleven. I pretend to be you and dress up as a world War One soldier.

I make the classroom look as authentic as I can and when the children enter in the dim light I am sitting writing the letter you wrote to Marjorie. I show the children the photograph you had of Marjorie and Betty. They listen avidly and when it is over and the lights are turned back on, they want to know more about you. They are always so sad when I tell them about your death. I feel your story brings the reality of the horror of war to them. Later in the day they write their own letter back home and this always illustrates to me just how much empathy and understanding your story generates. May it help them to strive for peace in our world.

Rest in peace Wilfred Cove and may your name never be forgotten.