Percy Hubbard

Bank: London County & Westminster Bank
Place of work: London Lombard Street branch
Died: 6 June 1918

Percy William Hubbard was born on 30 May 1879, the son of William Francis Hubbard and his wife Loretté Egerton (née Leigh), known to the family as Laura. In January 1899, when he was 19 years old, he went to work for London & County Bank. In 1909 London & County Bank merged with London & Westminster Bank and Hubbard became an employee of the enlarged London County & Westminster Bank. He was also a member of the bank's staff sports club, captain of the Highbury Avenue section of the cricket club, one of the founders of the Association Football Club, a prominent playing member of the rugby club and a good boxer.

In September 1914 Hubbard left his job as a clerk at the bank's London Lombard Street branch to join the army. He initially joined the Royal Fusiliers, where he continued his sporting career, winning a heavy-weight boxing championship for the 7th Battalion, the Royal Fusiliers, in 1914.

In July 1915 Hubbard was seriously wounded on active service, with injuries to his forehead, nose, arms and back. His wounds were originally thought too severe to allow him to return to active service, but after nine months of rehabilitation he was deemed fit for 'light duties.' On his return to active service Hubbard fought in the Somme campaign, winning the Military Medal and being wounded for a second time. Following his convalescence from these injuries, Hubbard was commissioned into the Lancashire Fusiliers.

Second Lieutenant Hubbard was killed by a shell on 6 June 1918, while ensuring that his men were all under cover during a bombardment. He was 39 years old.

His Captain later wrote, 'His death has left a wide breach in the company, as he was adored by all the officers and men. Everyone called him Peter, an affectionate christian name peculiar to himself, but there was no familiarity in the use of it; simply that everyone found a rock on which friendship could be based. His sunny nature and cheery disposition combined with splendid broadmindedness endeared him to us all, and we are indeed poorer for his loss'

Percy Hubbard is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest City of London office.