Seventy years ago tomorrow (17 July) Battle of Britain pilot George Barclay lost his life in the Western Desert. His family, the Barclay family, gave their name to Barclay’s Bank and in September 1939 George had been appointed to a post at Barclay’s Bank in Great Lombard Street. The outbreak of war intervened and George would never take up his post in the ‘family firm’.
Today, there are no members of the family at the bank that carries their name.
Far from the taint of dishonesty, deceit, malpractice and dishonour, the young George Barclay gave his life for his country. In his pocket when he died was a verse extolling the virtues of loyalty, faithfulness, fairness, probity, kindness, truthfulness and “doing the right thing”. What would he have made of the dishonour that others had later brought upon the bank that carried his family name? And what view would Bob Diamond and the senior executives at Barclay’s have had about the values that George Barclay held dear? Would they have even heard of George Barclay the fighter pilot? More to the point; would they care very much?
By: Roborough - 19th July 2012 at 13:04
Thanks Tangmere!
So the location would be North Weald?
Is Tom Neil the only one from that group still with us?
Thanks
Bill
By: 92fis - 19th July 2012 at 10:19
I have got Angels 22 and have read it a few times, a very interesting book and well worth a read.
By: Arabella-Cox - 19th July 2012 at 09:56
Yes, 249 Squadron, taken on 21 September 1940.
Left to right:
Percy Burton
‘Butch’ Barton
Gerald Lewis
‘Ozzie’ Crosley
Tom Neil
John Beazley
John Grandy
George Barclay
Keith Lofts
By: Roborough - 19th July 2012 at 03:37
Thank you!
I should just mention, too, that George is included in the very famous photograph by Cecil Beaton of pilots walking away from a Hurricane. That photo was reproduced in the illustrated version of the AM/MOI booklet on The Battle of Britain.
I had forgoten all about that little booklet. Just found it. What an iconic picture!
Can anyone identify the pilots and the unit. (are they all in fact from the same squadron?)
Bill
By: Andy Wright - 18th July 2012 at 23:48
I had heard of the book but never made the connection re the surname. Yet another promising life…
I wonder what the surviving Barclay family thinks now? My Dad has had a Barclay’s account since he was quite young and I’ve always had a bit of reverence for the ‘institution’. Quite naive of me really.
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th July 2012 at 11:54
Thank you!
I should just mention, too, that George is included in the very famous photograph by Cecil Beaton of pilots walking away from a Hurricane. That photo was reproduced in the illustrated version of the AM/MOI booklet on The Battle of Britain.
By: Roborough - 16th July 2012 at 21:38
Well said Tangmere
Bill
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July 16, 2012 at 7:22 pm