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Eltham is one of fifteen original branches of Martin’s Private Bank which amalgamates with the Bank of Liverpool in 1918. Consistent with the Bank’s Branches in this part of London and the London fringe areas of North West Kent, the Golden Grasshopper hangs proudly at right-angles to the building.

This constituent of the modern day Martins Bank dates, according to tradition, from the sixteenth century, through Sir Thomas Gresham trading at the site of the Grasshopper in Lombard Street London. Our retirement feature focuses on Mr Norman Gibbons, who has clocked up more than forty years’ service…

In Service: Pre 1918 until 9 March 1990

Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030/0933

invitations to lunch at Head Office and with the London General Management at Lombard Street marked the retirement of Norman Gibbons at the end of October after 42 years' service, the last fourteen as Manager of Eltham branch. There followed early in November a gathering at the King's Head Hotel, Bexley, of some fifty past and present colleagues, including Mr H. Q. Atkinson who had been Manager of Sidcup in 1924 when Mr Gibbons began his career in the Bank. Following service in London District branches, Mr Gibbons served seven years with the Royal Navy during the war and is only this year severing his connection with the R.N.V.R., having recently spent two weeks in Gibraltar on a N.A.T.O. exercise.

Branch Images © Barclays Ref 0030/0933

Mr H Taylor, presenting a carriage clock, a cheque and a bound volume of signatures to Mr Gibbons, paid tribute to a long and distinguished career which included service in the Liverpool District, at Penrith, and in Head Office Premises Department before his appointment as Clerk-in-Charge of the first mobile branch. He became Manager of Eltham branch in 1952. Miss S. Y. Gibson presented a bouquet to Mrs Gibbons. In his reply Mr Gibbons spoke of his enjoyment of his years with the Bank, particularly at Eltham—of which he is a native—and handed Mr Taylor a 'billet doux', found when browsing through an 18th century ledger, for retention in the Bank's archives.

May 1919 Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections: Stephen Walker

Jun 1953 Image © Martins Bank Archive Collections

A tale of THREE banks called Martins and the loss of one apostrophe – as Eltham changes from Martin’s (Private) Bank to the Bank of Liverpool and Martins, and then to Martins Bank limited…

Mr B S Noakes Joined the Bank Here 1911 to 1924	Mr L E Luchford Joined the Bank Here 1915 to 1918	Mr R A Machell Joined the Bank Here 1924	Mr H Monk Manager 1932 to 1935	Mr S E Pearman Manager 1935 to 1939	Mr R O Wells Joined the Bank Here 1937 to 1939
Mr R E Thorogood Manager 1939 to 1952	Mr R A Ball On the Staff 1949 to 1951	Mr P J Dew Joined the Bank Here 1951 to 1953	Mr N E Gibbons Manager 1952 to 1966	Mr M G Pinks Manager 1966 to 1969	Mr C C Willis Pro Manager 1967 to 1969
Mr D A Wright Pro Manager 1969	Mr N H Harvey Manager 1969 onwards

Title: Type: Address: Index Number and District: Hours: Telephone: Services: Manager:

11-71-30 London Eltham Full Branch 80 Eltham High Street London SE9 406 London Mon to Fri 1000-1500 Saturday 0900-1130 01 850 9865/6 Nightsafe Installed Mr N H Harvey Manager

London Ealing W5

Pre 1918 18 December 1918 3 January 1928 15 December 1969 9 March 1990

Martin’s Private Bank Bank of Liverpool and Martins Martins Bank Limited Barclays Bank Limited 20-29-60 Eltham 80 High Street Closed

London Golders Green NW11

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