The HSBC UK’s Windsor branch is celebrating the 100th anniversary since the bank first opened its doors for business opposite Windsor Castle.

The branch opened in November 1919 at 25 High Street as part of the Midland Bank. Manager John Marsh Burns was supported by just one other colleague, Matthew Davenport. Business grew and by 1939 the branch employed 13 people.

Seven men from the branch left to enlist into the Forces, with six men returning safely to rejoin their colleagues when peacetime arrived. Sadly, Raymond Bowyer was reported missing from a bombing flight over Hamburg in July 1943. He was remembered fondly by those at Windsor for his “unassuming manner and thoughtfulness”.

With so many men across the bank’s network leaving their branches to join the war effort six female members of staff joined the Windsor branch, with one leaving to enlist in the armed forces in 1943.

Tracy Chapman, manager HSBC UK’s Windsor branch, who has been at the branch since January 2017 and with the bank for 37 years in total, said: “I am extremely proud to be leading the branch team at such a momentous time.

“Celebrating 100 years of the branch being open in this fantastic town has given us the opportunity to review the momentous occasions that have taken place outside of the branch, including the funeral of King George VI in 1952 - a photo of which hangs in the branch’s banking hall - plus the recent wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex."