Bank manager saw red over credit slip

WHEN I left school at 16 in the late Fifties, I started work at a large East London branch of Barclays Bank. It was seen as a good job with excellent prospects, so I was pleased with myself. On my first day, I turned up at 9am on the dot and was introduced to every member of staff. The only person I didn’t meet was the manager, Mr Hanbury, who I was told was to be treated with great reverence. A giant of a man with a military moustache, he was ensconced in his office and seen only once a day. We didn’t use computers, of course, and all the day’s debits and credits were recorded in clients’ accounts by staff using huge accounting machines. This task was shared by eight staff — me being one of them, gaining the position after a stint as the junior. By each machine was a referral book, and the name of any overdrawn customer was entered into it. After the branch closed and all the entries had been recorded, the manager would arrive with his entourage of chief clerks and assistants to look through our books. Some of the customers would have their cheques returned unpaid as few had overdraft facilities. One afternoon, a mighty roar went up from a red-faced Mr Hanbury. What had someone done? They had been stupid enough to put his name in the referral book! And who could that have been? Yes, you guessed it — was my face red! Luckily, he did see the funny side of it afterwards and my career was not cut short. In fact, I am proud to say I went on to become the first female cashier in the branch. We worked hard, but we had a lot of fun. I met my husband there, and we went on to have two wonderful daughters and three fabulous grandchildren. We still talk about the old days with friends we met there. I had eight very happy years working for Barclays before leaving to have my family, and always considered myself very lucky to enjoy my job so much. Mrs O. M. Palmer, Rugby, Warks. J. Byrne, Harrow, Middlesex.