Raymond Bircham

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Bury St Edmunds branch

Died: 23 May 1943

Raymond Frank Bircham was born on 23 September 1897, the son of Herbert and Edith Bircham. He was educated at a private school in Norwich. He joined the staff of National Provincial Bank of England in May 1914 at Kirkley branch, Lowestoft. He left the bank to go on First World War service in October 1916, serving as a Private in the Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own).

Following his demobilisation Bircham returned to the bank in November 1919 and subsequently moved to Ipswich branch as a clerk, then to Sheffield Bank office in January 1922. In 1923 he married his wife, Maud. He was promoted to accountant at Louth branch in April 1930 and moved to Bury St Edmunds branch in June 1935. 

During the Second World War Bircham served as a civilian volunteer in the Royal Observer Corps. He and his wife Maud were both killed on 23 May 1943 in an air raid which destroyed the Central Hotel, Bournemouth, claiming at least 130 lives. He was 45 years old.