Ipswich Branch is opened in 1939 by our Manager Mr R B Thompson. The office is hurriedly set up in an old shop front at 11 Buttermarket, with the aim of moving across the way to the much more suitable premises at number 6 as soon as possible. Soon after we arrive in Ipswich, the Second World War breaks out, and our desire for a better branch in the town is put on hold – until 1957! Martins Bank Magazine pays its only visit to Ipswich in 1950, when the spirit of “make do and mend” is still thriving, as our branch is decorated with fittings once used by the Bank at the Ideal Home Exhibition. It is also worth noting here that two of the original staff members will go on to make names for themselves in the Bank: Mr R D Beaumont, a future London Assistant District Manager, and Miss M L Perks who leaves behind her days typing and cashiering at Ipswich to make a name for herself at London Trustee Department, becoming the first woman to be appointed Pro Manager by the Bank…
Our branch at Ipswich is housed in temporary premises, diagonally opposite the premises we hope one day to convert to our use. Nevertheless, the best use of the converted shop has been made, and fittings once used in the Ideal Homes Exhibition make the interior look attractive, the effect being friendly, cosy and cheery. There are several world famous firms in Ipswich and we were no a little surprised to find that a big American engineering firm has established its works there. Our bank has steadily improved its footing in the old town, despite the fact that it is not well known in East Anglia where our representation is somewhat sparse. The Manager, Mr F W Burdon, is North-Easterner who entered the Bank in 1923 and served at Willington, Newcastle City Office, Tyne Dock, Jarrow, on the District General Manager’s Staff and at High Street Gateshead and Prudhoe, before going South in 1936. His service in the South includes London itself, Bournemouth and District Office Relief Staff: He went to Ipswich in 1939, being appointed Acting Manager and Clerk in Charge in 1941. Then followed a period of military service with the R.A.F. from 1943 to 1946, his appointment as Manager dating from October 1946. Mr K .V. Amatt entered the Bank at Ipswich in 1945, and served with the R.A.F. from 1946 to 1948. He divides his spare time between playing hockey and studying for the Institute of Bankers’ Examinations. The only girl at the Branch is miss M.L. Perks who entered the service in July 1940 at Ipswich, thus having completed nearly ten years at the Branch. She has passed all her Bankers’ examinations and acts as typist and cashier. Her passbook statements are a model of what statements to customers should be, and we are confident that no better work will be found anywhere. Outside banking hours she is a keen member of the St John’s Ambulance Association and performs a spell of duty each week at the local hospital as well as competing in local and county contests. We had a pleasant lunch with Mr Burdon, stopping to look at a fifteenth-century architectural showpiece of the town on our way back, while K.V. Amatt and Miss Perks did the work, and took our departure just before 3pm taking back with us the memory of a very pleasant visit.
x
x
Mr R D Beaumont On the Staff 1939 to 1940	Mr R B Thompson Opens this branch as Manager 1939 to 1941		Miss M L Perks On the staff 1940 to 1956	Mr F W Burdon On The Staff 1939 Acting Manager 1941 Manager 1946 to ?
Mr K V Amatt Joined the Bank here 1945 to ?
x
Title:		11-95-40 Ipswich
Type:		Main Branch
Address:		6 Buttermarket Ipswich Suffolk
Opening Hours:		Mon to Fri 1000-1500
		Saturday 0900-1130
Telephone:		Ipswich 51265
Services:		Nightsafe Installed
Manager:		Mr K C Batten Manager
© gut informiert! 2007 to date