‘Another Bradford Hero’

James Henry Banks was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire on the 3rd September 1893 to William Banks and Mary Ann Banks (Plester). His parents were married in Bradford in 1889 and they had six children. His siblings were Alfred 1890-1910; Margaret Ann (Cissie) 1892-1984; Ann Elizabeth (Annie) 1896 – 1966; Mary Ann 1898 – 1898; Alice 1899 – 1967 .

On the 1911 Census James is recorded as living with his parents and his three surviving siblings at 53, Birk Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire. He is working as a ‘Tile Cutter Assistant’ in the engineering industry.

Military History Information from regimental and local sources held by the Duke of Wellington Regiment’s Archives (Bankfield Museum, Halifax) identifies that on commencement of mobilisation in 1914, Private James Henry Banks (Service Number 10500), having had previous military experience, was recalled to the colours. Reporting to the 2nd Battalion, which at that time was stationed at Portobello Barracks, Dublin, he was posted to C Company.

On the 14th August 1914, the Battalion sailed for Le Havre, France, on board the SS Gloucestershire arriving there at 4pm on the 16th. Leaving Le Havre on the 18th, the Battalion, went by train, to Landrecies, arriving at 6.30pm, and then by column of route (marching) to Marouilles where the Battalion stayed for 3 days. On the 21st the Battalion was once again on the move, via Mecquingies, to Bavai.

On Sunday 23rd August, the Battalion took up positions on the canal bank at St Ghislain. C Company, in which Private James Henry Banks served, was held in reserve. On the 23rd the German Army reached Mons in Belgium and was halted by the British Army for a while.

War diary entries for the 2nd Battalion Duke of Wellington Regiment, 23rd August 1914, identifies that 6 of their men were killed that day. Where exactly Private James Henry Banks was killed is not known. He is buried at Hautrage Military Cemetery, Belgium. Grave Reference l.8.A.

His medal index card shows that he was awarded the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1914 Mons Star (with C & R - Clasp and Roses entitlement). His death was reported in the Bradford Daily Telegraph in October 1914. His photograph had the heading ‘Another Bradford Hero’.

James Henry Banks is my Great Uncle. He was the brother of my grandmother Annie Banks who I lived with as a child. My mother recalled that Annie and her sisters used to talk a lot about their brother who was killed as soon as the war started. His family were poor mill workers and as such never had the money to travel to see his grave or to pay for a personal dedication on his headstone.

I have visited his grave a number of times including on the 100th anniversary of his death and I know that my Nan and her sisters would have been so proud to see the love and respect given to the memory of James by his family and others, Margaret Holden (Banks)