Name
Alfred Charles Banks
23/01/1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/09/1918
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Corporal
36814
Royal Air Force
10th Balloon Sect.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIS-EN-ARTOIS BRITISH CEMETERY, HAUCOURT
II. C. 23.
France
Headstone Inscription
REST IN PEACE
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, Christ Church (Formerly Holy Trinity Church) Memorial, Waltham Cross
Pre War
Alfred Charles Banks was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, on 23 January 1893, the only child of George Banks a, Bricklayer and Eliza Banks (nee Hodge). He was Baptised in the Parish of Cheshunt, Herts, on 19 February 1893.
1901 Census records Alfred aged 8, living with his parents at, Elm Villas, Cadmore Lane, Cheshunt, Herts. The family had two boarders Charles Lane (16) and Henry Dobbs (32) both Bricklayer’s Labourers. 1911 Census records Alfred aged 18, working as a Bricklayer, living with his parents at, 66, Queens Road, Waltham Cross, Herts.
Alfred married Ester Sophia Baldwin, the daughter of George
and Sarah Baldwin, on 22 March 1913, at St. Georges Church, Waltham Cross, they
went on to have one child Ena Ester Banks born in June 1914.
Wartime Service
Alfred enlisted on 12 July 1916 and posted to the Royal Flying Corps with the service number 36814, he arrived in France on 18 September 1916, as an Air Mechanic, working as a Rigger on Kite Balloons. His service record shows his last promotion was in September 1917, when he was promoted to Corporal.
On 1 April 1918 the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service were amalgamated and became the Royal Air Force.
Alfred died on 5 September 1918, of wounds received in
action.
Additional Information
His effects of £13, which includes his Pay Owing, and a War Gratuity went to his widow Ester. The inscription on his Headstone “REST IN PEACE” was requested by his widow Ester Banks, her address was 14, King Edward Road, Waltham Cross, Herts.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
