Image © 1953 Geoff Taylor Collection
Guildford is not strictly a “former” branch – it opens in 1939 under the management of Mr E D R Whittaker, and operates from 150 High Street for the next twenty-one years. In need of better premises for our Guildford branch, the Bank secures 172 High Street and relocates there in 1961. The image above is one from a private collection of our southern counties branches, which may be the only photographs still in existence of some of our branches as they were in the 1950s. (See also Reading) . Our staff gallery below shows some of the staff who worked at the original branch site up to 1961. The remainder can be seen on our page for Guildford 172 High Street. At the time of the move to no 172, the Manager is Mr R C Reekie who is about to retire from Martins after a long and distinguished career. As usual, Martins Bank Magazine is on hand to record the goodbyes…
Mr. R. G. Reekie, M.B.E., Manager at Guildford since 1948, retired at the end of April after 44 years' service. To mark the occasion he invited a number of his colleagues, including the staff of the branch and their wives, to a cocktail party at the County Club, Guildford, among those present being Mr. F. C. Hardman, London Assistant District Manager; Mr. F. E. Gillham, Assistant Staff Manager (London), and Mr. Swindlehurst. A tribute to Mr. Reekie's service was paid by Mr. Hardman after which Mr. McOnegal, who has worked with Mr. Reekie during the entire period of his management at Guildford, expressed the good wishes of the staff and presented him with a camera and a book of signatures on their behalf. Mrs. Reekie was presented with a bouquet. In his reply Mr. Reekie thanked his staff for their loyal co-operation at all times. Mr. Reekie commenced his banking career with Glyn Mills in 1917 and entered Martins Bank in 1942 as Assistant Manager at Oxford, being appointed Manager at Guildford six years later. He was awarded the M.B.E., in 1958 and was elected to the Surrey County Council at the recent election.
Mr E D R Whittaker opened this Branch as Manager 1939 to 1945	Mr J R K Dean On the Staff 1943 to 1946		Mrs C J W Broughton On the Staff 1947 to 1961	Mr R C Reekie Manager 1948 to 1961
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Title:		11-20-40 Guildford Moves 1961
Type:		Full Branch
Address:		150 High Street Guildford Surrey
Hours:		Mon to Fri 1000-1500
		Saturday 0900-1130
Telephone:		Guildford 68337
Services:		Night safe Installed
Manager:		Mr R C Reekie Manager
© gut informiert 2007 to date