Charles Hyde

Bank: Union of London & Smiths Bank
Place of work: Leeds Union Bank branch
Died: 1 July 1916

Charles Stewart Hyde was born on 4 December 1890, the son of the Reverend TD Hyde and his wife Mary. He was educated at Bradford Grammar School.

After leaving school Hyde went to work for Union of London & Smiths Bank at its Cleckheaton, Dewsbury and Leeds Union Bank branches. Outside work, he was actively involved in Whitechapel Church, Cleckheaton, where his father was vicar.

Soon after the outbreak of the First World War, Hyde and his brother Eustace joined the army, signing up with the Leeds Pals. Hyde was later commissioned into the West Yorkshire Regiment, Bradford Pals Battalion. He went with them to Egypt in late 1915, and then back to Europe, arriving at the Somme in the spring of 1916.

On 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme, Second Lieutenant Hyde was leading his platoon over the top when he was wounded in the arm and leg. He was dragged to a shell-hole, but while sheltering there with other wounded men a shell struck them and they were all killed instantly. Hyde was 25 years old. His younger brother Eustace, who had become an officer in a different regiment, was killed on the Somme three months later.

Charles Hyde is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest City of London office.