John Lemarchand

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: London Berners Street branch

Died: 20 April 1944

John William Lemarchand was born on 18 May 1903, the son of Arthur Frederick Lemarchand, a bank clerk, and his wife Ruth. He was educated at Whitgift Grammar School, Croydon. 

In June 1921 he went to work for his father's bank, London County Westminster & Parr's Bank (later known as Westminster Bank). He worked at several branches before being posted to London Berners Street branch in 1934.

In 1942 Lemarchand left the bank to go on military service, becoming a Lance Bombardier in the Royal Artillery. On 20 April 1944, whilst serving in Italy, Lemarchand was reported missing and later confirmed to have been killed in action on that day. He was 40 years old and left a widow, Joyce, and two young children. 

His obituary in the bank's staff magazine noted, 'Possessor of great charm of manner, he was a tower of strength to the branch, especially in the early days of the war. Had he been spared he would undoubtedly have gone far in the bank.'

John Lemarchand is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest London Dean Street branch.