Memories of the Early Days of the Bank
Golden Jubilee Reminiscences by Henry Bayliss
I think that one of the most uncomfortable
jobs in my early days was walking around Duddeston collecting pass books in connection with the 'Crump Affair'. Duddeston was not
a good district in those days, and what with suspicious husbands, wives who were afraid of their husbands knowing that they had saved
a little money, and irate dogs, I was very glad when that little episode was over.
In lighter vein, I was at Aston Branch when
the Branch was enlarged by taking in the premises next door. This involved dismantling the heating apparatus, to replace which we
were given gas radiators, each with its own tap. One of our depositors, a Mrs Devine, was a frequent visitor with her small 'Sonny'.
'Sonny' had a playful habit of turning off all the radiator taps, and then turning them on again. After being nearly gassed twice,
we kept a watchful eye on 'Sonny' Devine. A most inappropriate name.
I doubt if many members of staff have any idea of the conditions
under which we worked at Evening Branches, and in some cases, Daily Branches, without messroom or toilet facilities. Lunch was taken
by ducking under the counter. Some of the names of Evening Branches make strange reading now. Ward End, Hay Mills, Quinton, Brookvale
and numerous others.
On reading this, I realise that getting on for fifty years has been strangely condensed, but many more experiences
would be more appropriate for telling in selected company, rather than being put on paper.
April 10th 1969
NOTES:
These recollections have been extracted from correspondence by Henry Bayliss with the then Bank's General Manager
(Mr S A Guy) in relation to a possible publication to celebrate the Bank's Golden Jubilee