11-95-20 Liverpool Clubmoor

Clubmoor Branch opens for business on the First of May 1924. It is built in a style that is very much favoured by the Bank of Liverpool and Martins – they tend go for corner locations, and combinations of brick and stone work that give an air of solidness and safety. Similar shapes and/or designs can be found at Martins Bank’s Branches at PRENTON, AINSDALE and CRAYFORD. Clubmoor Branch is opened on May day 1924, and by the time of the merger with Barclays in 1969, it has also operated two sub-Branches and a mobile housing estate banking service.

In Service: 1 May 1924 until 15 May 1998

Image © Barclays Ref 0030-1665

In our retirement features we will say goodbye to Mr W R Wareing, who by 1965 has been at Clubmoor for twenty-two years, but first we look back a little further than that - During the Second World War, Clubmoor Branch is used for a very important purpose - the safekeeping of the Colours of the Fifth Battalion, the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment. In 1946, in keeping with tradition, it is time for the ceremony of withdrawal to take place outside the branch…

1946 03 MBM.jpg Ceremonial withdrawal of Colours

from the Bank by the Fifth Battalion,

the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment…

At Clubmoor branch on May 31st an event took place which, so far as our present information goes, was unique in the history of Martins Bank. On a late September afternoon in the dark days of 1939 the branch was asked to take into custody the colours of the fifth Battalion, the King's (Liverpool) Regiment, on the eve of the departure of the regiment to France. On May 31st, 1946, the colours were once again needed, this time to be carried in the Victory Parade. As a rule it seems to be the custom to hang up the colours in a consecrated building, but with the threat of war in our midst it was held on this occasion that the strongroom of a bank might offer greater protection to these prized emblems. But when it came to arranging for their withdrawal it was found that according to King's Regulations a proper escort must be provided and that the colours must be handed back to the keeping of the battalion with full ceremonial. Accordingly, a colour party was paraded with Captain D. Gibb, D.C.M., in charge, and it fell to the lot of Mr. F. A. Goodman, manager of our Clubmoor branch, to fill the role usually performed by the church. The custody receipt was discharged by Colonel Sir John B. McKaig, K.C.B., D.S.6. The colours were carried in the Victory Procession by Captain Gibb.

1946 Branch Exterior (2) Withdrawal of the Colours Ceremony MBM-Au46P09

1965 04 MBM.jpg 1943 to 1965 Mr W R Wareing Pro Manager from 1956 MBM-Wi65P55.jpg Ill health had kept Mr Wareing away from the office for several months prior to his retirement as Pro Manager of Clubmoor branch at the end of August, so a formal presentation at the Branch was not possible. Instead, the Manager, Mr B I Hill called at his home to hand him on behalf of subscribers a portable radio which carried the good wishes of the staff and of many customers who will miss him after twenty-two years at the Branch. A week earlier, Mr and Mrs Wareing had entertained the Clubmoor Staff to an enjoyable dinner party at their home. after entering the Bank at Water street in 1923, Mr Wareing served at several Liverpool district Branches, moving to Clubmoor in 1943, and becoming Pro Manager there in 1956.



*Mr N A Milroy* *Manager* *1924 to 1932*	*Mr C WAllan* *Joined the Bank Here* *1929 to 1932*	*Mr D B Lucas* *Joined the Bank Here* *1940 to 1941*	*Alec R Ellis* *Acting Manager* *Aug 1941 - 1946*	*Mr R S Thomas* *On the Staff* *1942 to 1944*	*Mr W R Wareing* *On staff 1943 to 1965* *Pro Manager 1956-65*



*Mr J A Cole* *Joined the Bank Here* *1944 to 1946*	*Mr A J Corner* *On the Staff* *1946 to 1969*	*Mr J Gribbin* *Manager* *1955 to 1960*	*Mr I R Brander* *Pro Manager* *1965 to 1966*	*Mr A J Huck* *Pro Manager* *1966 to 1969*	*Mr J M Hemson* *Pro Manager* *1969*