James BANKS (2)

07 July 1916

HUBBERHOLME - To Help the War

On Sunday collections were made in the church, morning and evening, on behalf of the country's kind and excellent idea to issue free to members of the Royal Navy and the British Expeditionary Force everywhere, not for sale, but to be given away to them, week by week, while the War shall last, an illustrated paper called 'Blighty,' containing a full budget of humour from the homeland, to make the heroes smile and laugh as they suffer and fight for us. The collections were so very good (as was to be expected) that the minister of the Church was granted also the privilege of specially naming someone soldier or sailor in particular, connected with the parish, to whom a copy of the paper each week for one year would be addressed, and posted, and the minister very gladly sent in the name and address of Buckden's first gallant recruit, Pte. James Banks, of Beckermonds and Buckden village. We doubt not that the paper will bring to him, at present with the army in the deserts of Egypt, right pleasant remembrances of home and the hearts that love him there. And moreover, the minister himself is to receive regularly a complimentary copy of the paper that will be placed every week in the Township Hall Reading Room.

26 January 1917

BUCKDEN - PRIVATE JAMES BANKS MISSING AND KILLED

We regret to learn that Mr. and Mrs. Banks of Buckden have received an official intimation that their son, Pte. James Banks, of the West Riding Regiment, is missing and is believed to have been killed in action on January 11th.

Pte. Banks enlisted early in September 1914, and went out to the Dardanelles in September 1915. He afterwards went with his regiment to Egypt and from there to France last July. He was wounded in action on the 14th September and was removed to hospital in France. He returned back to the line, however, in November.

About 38 years of age, Pte. Banks, prior to the war, was in the employ of Mr. Dinsdale, farmer, Scar House, Buckden.

02 February 1917

BUCKDEN - PRIVATE JAMES BANKS

As recorded in last week's 'Craven Herald' Pte. James Banks, of the West Riding Regiment, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Banks, of Buckden, has been officially posted as missing and is believed to have been killed in action on January 11th.

16 February 1917

BUCKDEN - THE LATE PRIVATE JAMES BANKS: THE FIRST DALESMAN TO ENLIST - Memorial Service

In the 'Craven Herald' for January 26th last we reported an official intimation received by Mr. and Mrs. Banks, of Buckden, that their son, Pte. James Banks of the West Riding Regiment, was missing and believed to have been killed in action on January 11th, 1917. Prior to the war, Pte. Banks, aged 38 years, was in the employ of Mr. Dinsdale, farmer, Scar House, Buckden; he enlisted early in September, 1914, and went out to the Dardanelles in September, 1915. Then he went with his regiment to Egypt, and in July last to France. He was wounded in action on September 4th last and was removed to a hospital in France. He returned to the Front in November last. A photograph reproduction of the deceased was given in the 'Herald' for February 2nd.

Official information has now been received of the brave man's death by Mr. John Banks, of Stirton, near Skipton. The commanding officer, in a letter, says that Pte. James Banks was killed in action on January 11th, and adds:- "He was one of our stretcher-bearers and one upon who we could always depend. He was very popular with both officers and men, and his loss is very much felt by the whole Company. On behalf of the officers, N.C.O.s and men, I beg to tender you my sincerest sympathy in your bereavement."

A well-attended memorial service was held in Hubberholme Church last Sunday, and the ceremony was very touching and impressive.

The Rev. R.F.R. Anderton, vicar, in his sermon, delivered with heart-felt emotion, said Pte. Banks was very proud of his rank - he gloried in it, for he was a born soldier, a valiant man, and a great Dalesman. His friends were very proud of him, and gloried in his memory. In the words of the Poet Laureate - words that the poet wrote of the Duke of Wellington himself - "Honour, honour, honour, honour to him, esteemed honour to his name." Their friend, continued the Vicar, was the first in the Dale to offer himself, and enlist to do his country's service in her hour of need. The deceased was proud of the fact that he was the first - he had said so in his letters from France, and had a right to be proud.

"Sleep sweetly, beloved, for thou hast fought the good fight, faithful unto death; in thy valour and bravery never hadst thou fear. Well hast thou earned thy most glorious sleeping place that Kings would die for. Sleep sweetly till the day dawns and Christ shall come again in peace for evermore." The war, added the preacher, will end with victory for us. The deceased soldier helped to gain it. He was often wounded before he fell in action. He saw service in the Dardanelles, in Egypt, and in the Arabian Desert and he was at the Front in France. When the call came Pte. Banks was acting stretcher-bearer for the wounded under fire; it was while doing that Christ-like work that he was killed in action. Everyone in that church, sooner or later, must die; and come what may not one of them could possibly die a more glorious death than their beloved friend died. Requiescat in pace - may he sleep in peace.

30 March 1917

BANKS - March 27th, at Buckden, William Banks, late of Beckermonds. Interred at Hubberholme Church, March 31st, at 2 p.m.

[Father of Private James Banks]

11 January 1918

BANKS - In loving memory of Private James Banks, of Buckden, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, killed in action in France, January 11th, 1917.

He did not stop to reason, when first this war began,
But went and did his duty as a soldier and a man:
Now he sleeps beside his comrades in an honoured grave unknown;
But his name is written in letters of love
On the hearts he left at home.

From his loving Mother, Brothers and Sisters.