Gordon Webb

Bank: Westminster Bank

Place of work: Ellesmere Port branch

Died: 29 October 1942

Gordon Allison Webb was born in 1918, the son of William and Margaret Webb. He joined the staff of Westminster Bank in 1937 at its Upper Brighton branch, before being transferred to West Kirby and then Ellesmere Port branches. Outside work he enjoyed outdoor hobbies including rowing and mountaineering.

In October 1939 Webb left the bank to go on war service, joining the Royal Artillery (Searchlights), but, as he told colleagues, 'his ambition was to 'swot' planes, not 'spot' them', and he transferred to the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1941. He trained as a pilot, including training for a period in South Africa and taking an extra course to qualify him for sea reconnaissance work. After completing his training he was on his way back to Britain to take up a sea reconnaissance role when his ship was torpedoed on 29 October 1942, killing most on board, including Pilot Officer Webb. He was 23 years old.

Gordon Webb is commemorated on a bank war memorial at NatWest Ellesmere Port branch.