Robert Kelsey

Bank: National Provincial Bank

Place of work: Slisden branch

Died: 29 October 1942

Robert Ronald Kelsey was born on 16 June 1912 and was educated at King Edward III School, Sheffield. He joined the staff of National Provincial Bank as a probationer at its Sheffield branch in September 1929. He was promoted to junior clerk in December 1929, aided by a very positive recommendation from his manager. He was then promoted to clerk in 1932. He moved to Sheffield Moor branch in 1935 and to Silsden branch in 1936. Kelsey’s colleagues later remembered his cheerful disposition and great promise.

In November 1940 Kelsey left the bank to go on military service, joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He served in Singapore, Java, and Australia. On 29 October 1942, Kelsey was on a troopship travelling from South Africa to England when the vessel was torpedoed by a U-boat. Kelsey was presumed to have lost his life in the attack. He was 30 years old and left a widow, Edna Mary.