John Griffiths

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Connah's Quay branch

Died: 10 December 1941

John Isaac Griffith was born on 7 October 1916, the son of Margaret Ann and David Timothy Griffiths. He was educated at the county school in Builth Wells before joining the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationer at Newtown branch in March 1934. He was promoted to junior clerk in June 1934 and to clerk in July 1936. He subsequently moved to Builth Wells branch in April 1938, to Llandovery branch in February 1939, and to Connah’s Quay branch in September 1939. 

In October 1940, just after his 24th birthday, Griffiths left the bank to join the Royal Navy. On 10 December 1941 Griffiths was serving as a Writer on board HMS Repulse when it was bombed. Griffiths worked to free several of his shipmates who were trapped amid the rising water, but ultimately lost his own life. He was 25 years old. He was posthumously mentioned in despatches, 'for great courage and fortitude in the action in which he lost his life.'