Born at Hadnall, Shropshire on 5 April 1894, he was the son of a Primitive Methodist minister, Richard Wycherley, who claimed descent from the Restoration dramatist William Wycherley. During active service in World War I he was awarded the Military Cross and bar. He began an outstanding career in the national and international building society world when he became assistant secretary of the National Building Society at the age of 35, progressing to General Manager and then Managing Director. On the amalgamation of the National and Abbey Building Societies in 1944 he became joint Manager with Harold Bellman, and later was the first person to become President of the united Society. He was a Freemason and also a freeman of the City of London. He died on 17 March 1965.
'Tall, broad-shouldered and genial, his was an easily remembered figure at any gathering, but behind the geniality lay a keen brain and shrewd judgment which soon came to be recognized and appreciated… Wycherley was a big man in every way, big in frame, big in heart, and big in outlook. He had a great gift of leadership and carried great influence in building society circles, where his counsels, almost invariably of moderation, were widely respected… Like most big men he was not easily roused, but he could be vehement when he thought it necessary.'
The Times, 17 March 1965
Category: Person
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