Fred Banks
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Fred was the third son of Annie Maria Banks. His mother was born in Birmingham in about 1864 and had four sons, William Henry b. Birmingham 1883 and Alfred James b. abt 1889, Fred Shaw b. 1890 and Frank Moorcroft b. 1892 who were all born in Sheffield. With the exception of Alfred, whose registration of birth has not yet been traced, her sons were registered in the surname Banks, (mother's maiden name Banks). In 1891, Annie Maria (27, single) and her three sons, William, Alfred and Fred, were living at 34 Pea Croft, Sheffield, where Annie was housekeeper to James Shaw (39 b. Winster Derbyshire, married) who was working as a hawker. Annie's youngest son, Frank, was born in Sheffield the following year. By 1901 Annie Banks, describing herself as a widow, had moved to Court 1, Edward Street, Sheffield. Her four sons were in the home on the night of the census: William a labourer, and Alfred, Fred and Frank who were school age. In 1911, Annie, who was working as a lace hand (at home), and three of her sons, Alfred, Fred and Frank, who were all employed as general labourers, were living at 78 Red Lion Street, Nottingham, by 1911. Her eldest son, William, a millhand (steel mill), was living in Sheffield with his wife Annie Elizabeth (m. 1907). Fred attested in the Special Reserve in 1909, giving his address as 78 Red Lion Street and naming his mother and brothers Alfred and Frank of the same address as his next of kin. However, when his younger brother Frank attested in 1915 he and his mother were living at 80 Red Lion Street. Fred married Margaret Wynne at Our Lady and St Patrick (RC) on 14 October 1916. Fred had been serving with the BEF France from November 1914, but had been granted one month leave from 17 September 1916 to 18 October 1916. Their daughter Mary Frances was born in July the following year. Margaret completed a form for the army in December 1919 listing her late husband's surviving blood relatives. Margaret and their daughter were living with Margaret's widowed father at 6 Thoresby Street, Sneinton, her mother-in-law Annie Banks was in Bathorpe Hospital, Nottingham, while Fred's three brothers were all living at Fawcet Street, Sheffield. Fred's brother Frank attested on 3 September 1915 on a Short Service Engagement (Duration of War) and was demobilized in 1919. Two of Fred's brothers-in-law, James and Walter Wynne, served in the Sherwood Foresters and died in the war. (See 'Extra information') Margaret married Robert Lyons in 1920 (reg. Derby) and they had at least two children, Margaret (b. 1921) and Robert (birth registered 1924 J/F/M). In 1939 Robert, a foreman (soap manufacturer), and Margaret were living at 6 Thoresby Street, Sneinton, which had previously been Margaret's home. Also in the household were Margaret's daughter, Mary Frances (who had taken the surname Lyons), a canteen waitress, and Margaret Lyons, who worked for a soap manufacturer. The record of one other person remains closed, but was probably that of their son Robert. Robert served in the Cheshire Regiment during the Second World War and died as a result of an accident in Italy in 1946 while still serving. (See 'Extra information')
10th Bn Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). Fred's Army Service record survives but the dates of his Home/BEF service have been overwritten and some dates do not tally with other entries eg. admission to hospital BEF/UK. Fred attested in the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on a 6 Years Service engagement on 31 August 1909. He joined the 4th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (4/4018 Private) at Derby on 31 August 1909 and completed training between that date and 29 January 1910 and then three days musketry training between 6-8 May 1910. He completed annual training 8 May 1911-3 June 1911, 1 July 1912-27 July 1912 and in 1913 and 1914. Fred was mobilised on 5 August 1914 and posted to the 2nd Bn. Sherwood Foresters on 11 November 1914 with the BEF France. He was wounded in action (gunshot wound shoulder) and admitted to 18 Field Ambulance on 11 December 1914 then transferred to No. 11 Stationary Hospital, Rouen, on 13 December. He was transferred from Rouen to SS Asturias, Le Havre, on 16 December for medical evacuation to the UK. He was granted leave from 1 March to 15 March 1915, then embarked for France on 18 March 1915, joining the battalion on 26 April. In August that year he was awarded 14 days Field Punishment No. 1 'for being absent from his billet.' He was granted leave from 29 January 1916-5 February 1916 and one month's leave from 17 September 1916-18 October 1916 when he married Margaret Wynne toward the end of his leave. However, on 12 November 1916, shortly after his return to France, Fred received treatment for 'PUO' (pyrexia of unknown origin) and on 15 November admitted to No. 8 General Hospital, Rouen. He was transferred to the UK where he was admitted to hospital on 24 November and was probably not discharged until 20 January 1917. Fred embarked on 7 April 1917 and on the 27th of the month was posted to the 10th Bn. Sherwood Foresters. In 1918 Fred was granted a period of leave from 1 March 1918 to 15 March. He was killed in action six days later on 21 March 1918, the first day of the German Spring offensive. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. He qualified for the 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Fred's brother, Frank, enlisted on 3 September 1915 on a Short Service Engagement (Duration of War). He was just 4ft 10⅞ inches tall and weighed 113lbs. He joined at Derby and was posted to the 18th Bn Sherwood Foresters but transferred to the 13th Bn Yorkshire Regiment on 1 April 1916. He served with the Regiment with the BEF France from 5 June 1916, eventually being posted to the 14th Battalion and then to the 9th in September 1918. Frank transferred to the Army Reserve on demoblization, 4 June 1919 and was discharged to 94 Fawcett Street, which was probably the home of his married brother, William. Service record: Home 30 August 1915-4 June 1916. BEF France 5 June 1916-4 May 1919. Home 5 May 1919-3 June 1919. Frank was wounded in action (gunshot wound right leg) on 1 March 1917 and after initial treatment at 19th Field Ambulance and then No. 48 Casualty Clearing Station before being admitted to No. 18 General Hospital. He rejoined his battalion on 22 June 1917. On 10 July 1917 he was treated at 135 Field Ambulance for abscesses, transferred to No. 34 Casualty Clearing Station and then to No. 2 General Hospital, Le Havre on 24 July. He left hospital in the August. He was granted leave 2 November 1917-12 November 1917. Frank married Florence Harrison (née Ward), a widow, at Sheffield Neepsend St Michael & All Angels in 1923. He probably died in 1929 (buried Sheffield City Road Cemetery). Two of Fred's brothers-in-law, James Wynne and Walter Wynne, died in the war: 4056 Private James Wynne, 2nd Bn Sherwood Foresters, served with the BEF France from 11 November 1914. He was wounded the same month and medically evacuated to England but died when the Hospital Ship Anglia was sunk by a mine on 17 November. James' body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton. (See record on this Roll of Honour) 42722 Private Walter Wynne, 2/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters, served with the BEF France and was killed in action on 21 March 1918, the same day as his brother-in-law Fred Banks. Walter has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) CWGC 1432461. Robert Lyons, Margaret Banks' son by her second marriage, served in the 30th Bn Cheshire Regiment (1432461 Private) in the Second World War. Robert was still serving when he died in Italy on 11 January 1946 from injuries received accidentally; he was buried in Rome War Cemetery. (Name to be included on the WW2 ROH) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 18 January 1946. ‘Lyons. Robert (Bob), Pte. 30th Cheshire Regt., died in Italy. RIP. Heartbroken mother, father, brother, and sisters.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Also notice 17 January 1946 (Frances), and 'In Memoriam', 11 January 1947 ('sorrowing family'). Nottingham Evening Post, 18 January 1946 photograph with caption: (Right) ‘Pte. Robert Lyons, Cheshire Regiment, of 6 Thoresby-street, Sneinton, Nottingham, who died of injuries received in Italy. (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) CWGC incorrectly cites Fred's age at death as 23. Fred (1st Bn-sic Sherwood Foresters), a mobilised special reservist, was awarded a Bounty of £15 on 5 December 1916. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 21 March 1919: ‘Banks. In loving memory of Pte. Fred Banks, beloved husband of M Banks (nee M Wynne) killed in action March 21st 1918. Never forgotten. Wife and baby.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) War Office memo July 1918: Personal effects were to be returned to Margaret Banks, 6 Thoresby Street. Memo annotated ‘no effects’. Army Service Record: Margaret Banks was awarded a weekly pension of 20/5 (20s.5d.) with effect from 21 October 1918.
