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MARTINS
BANK AT WAR – THE WARTIME NEWSLETTERS |
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MARTINS BANK
LIMITED Staff Manager’s Department AINSDALE September 1941 |
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To the Staff Ladies and Gentlemen It is a pleasure to write
again on matters relating to the personal
side of the life of the Bank. You are all aware that since my last letter a
number of the Administrative Departments hitherto under the one roof at Water
Street have been dispersed. Thus it falls to the lot of Head Office members to
experience the sense of isolation from their colleagues which many of you
know so well. Although the past few
months have been free from serious nocturnal bombing, much has happened in
the domestic life of the Bank and the number of men who have left or who are
shortly to leave for service with the Armed Forces has risen from 550 to
1000. The good wishes of those who remain, accompany our colleagues as they
go to take up their duties in His Majesty's Forces and all share the hope
that their return to the Bank and to their home circles will not be long
delayed. It has been good to hear from one and another of their experiences.
In the course of a letter from Raymond Usher, formerly of the North Eastern
District Office and now in the Middle East, he tells of how on one occasion
whilst sitting in the Mess he was a silent listener to a dissertation on the
architectural merits of the new Head Office building. An interesting letter
was recently received from E.D.R.Whittaker, formerly of Guildford, now in
Iceland. In describing the conditions there he referred to the fact that they
had had several weeks of hot sunshine all through the 24 hours of every day. News of a disastrous
character also reaches us from time to time. In addition to those announced
in previous letters, the following have been reported missing:- H.W.
Warwick of Millfield Norman
Baron of Blackpool F.J.Pinnoll
of London (Bank Messenger). You will be sorry to learn that A.
Westall of Barnoldswick is wounded though not seriously, and is a Prisoner of
War. W.F.Surtees of Dunston is also a Prisoner of War. The sympathy of all will be extended
to the relatives of the following who have lost their lives on service:- C.F.
Mann of Lombard Street (who was drowned whilst on leave) P.H.
Reay of North Shields, and also to the family of Miss E
Dodgson of Gallowgate. During
an air raid, her house received a direct hit and Miss Dodgson was so
seriously hurt that she died a few days later on the 6th instant.
Her sister was killed outright and her father seriously hurt. Her mother
escaped injury. It is a pleasure to record that the
following have recently received decorations: Norman
Baron of Blackpool - Distinguished Flying Medal, Frank
Stott of Miles Platting - Distinguished Flying Medal, J.A.W.
Wagland of London - Distinguished Flying Cross. Young Baron was notified of his
award only a month before he was reported missing. In turning to affairs at home, it is
a particular pleasure to me that is has been possible to maintain the period
of rest leave through the Summer. These welcome breaks, and the comparative
quiet of the nights must have had a beneficial effect on health and morale.
Many have taken advantage of the facilities available at the Ambleside Rest
House, and it is clear that the favourable reports of those who have stayed
there have influenced others to visit. Much interest has been shown in the
venture, even outside the Bank. Colonel Howarth, who is a customer at
Ambleside Branch) has invited members of the staff staying at the Rest House
to make use of the garden at his home. This is a gracious offer, and is
especially appreciated as the Bank house lacks a garden. The presentation to Mr Jopling took
place in the Board Room at Head Office on 6th August and was made
by Mr Furniss. Mr Jopling chose a Crown Derby Tea Set, and a canteen of
silver. Mr Furniss and Mr McKendrick spoke in felicitous terms of Mr
Jopling’s work and of the affectionate regard in which he was held. I have
recently heard from Mr Jopling, who is at present in Edinburgh, and in the
course of his letter he says: “Please convey to the Staff my
warmest thanks for their loyal co-operation at all times, and for the
numerous expressions of good wishes which are embodied in the magnificent
gifts which I shall always treasure”. It is a pleasure to offer a welcome
to those who have recently joined the Staff on a temporary basis for the
period of the War. I am confident I voice the opinion of all in saying that I
hope they will be happy whilst they are with us and that they will find
pleasure and satisfaction in their work. Yours
Faithfully
Staff Manager
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