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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Berkshire => Topic started by: janjim on Tuesday 11 April 17 08:36 BST (UK)
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Hi,
I am struggling at the moment with regard to World War I and other military records in regard to the sons of Thomas Banning b. 1853 and Sarah Ann Banning b. 1855 (nee Bird). Thomas & Sarah Banning had various sons who enlisted with the Royal Berkshire Regiment.
1. George Banning b. 1874 Newbury - was a Private at Oxford Wood Barracks
2. Harry Banning b. 1883 Newbury was with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and in Chelsea Hospital
3. Frederick George Banning b. 1885 Newbury - maybe a Lance Corporal World War I (may not be from the right family though)
4. Thomas Henry Banning b. 1888, Private was killed in action at Flanders 9.3.1917
5. Alfred William Charles Banning b. 1890 (not sure)
6. Albert John Banning b. 1894 - killed in action (or missing) Belgium d. 12.10.1917
7. James Maurice b. 1896 (not sure)
Wondering if there might be a memorial in Newbury, which would show at least Thomas and Albert's names thereon. I have details of these two from War Records, am happy about that, but just cannot seem to clarify that I have the right military records for any or all of the above named sons.
If anyone could assist me,would really appreciate that.
jan
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There are records for Harry and Alfred on Findmypast, Alfred's records list the names of the brothers except James and Albert. Their mother's address is the same as given on the CWGC for Thomas's death.
Since about 70% of WW1 records were lost in WW2, you will be unlikely to find records for all of them.
Jebber
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Thank you, yes, I am a little confused on who is who, on the lists provided by Ancestry, unfortunately I don't have access to Find my Past. That is good to know re James & Albert anyway, thank you.
Jan
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www.westberkshirewarmemorials.org.uk has a searchable database of almost all war memorials in West Berkshire (including those in Newbury). There are no Bannings.
This is my website and I am adding a 'virtual memorial' to record the names of Newburians who were not memorialised, so I'd be interested in details of your two casualties.
Phil
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Hi Phil,
I will get back to you tomorrow with more details on the two Banning brothers who were killed in World War I.
Sarah Banning was sister to my Great Grandmother Phoebe New, married to Charles New, who was Licensee of the London Apprentice Inn, you may recall we exchanged information in regard to this family.
The Bird family came from Shaw, and Sarah Banning eventually moved to Reading after the death of her husband Thomas Banning.
Cheers Jan
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Hello Jan,
I do remember the interchange over the News.
As far as I can see the Bannings were, in terms of WW1, a Reading family (Katesgrove Road or Lane) - the two who died may be on one or more of the many Reading memorials, but, as far as I know, there isn't a single town memorial. Also slightly worrying, the St Giles memorial has no names (IIRC Katesgrove was in St Giles parish).
I do have a picture of Thomas Henry from a local paper (printed when he was wounded pretty early in the war (end of 1st Ypres). He get a couple of mentions in the local Reading papers (I haven't looked these up but most such references relate to casualty lists). Reading Mercury 19170421, Berkshire Chronicle 19150101 & 19170413, OT (Oxford Times?) 19150102 and China Dragon (R Berks regimental magazine) 1914p476 - dates are yyymmdd. He was obviously serving pre-war.
The Mercury is available on FindMyPast or BritishNewspapersOnline the others would require trips to Reading & Oxford.
I'm pretty sure James Maurice served in the RHA, enlisted Nov 1915 as Maurice Banning (Berks Chr 19151112).
There's an Alfred William Albert who was serving pre-war and was still serving in 1936 - not sure if he is one of yours.
Frederick George is the only one I have any Newbury based info on - he was listed by the NWN as a L/Cpl in the 'Berks Res', presumably 3rd Bn, R Berks in 1915. Served overseas with 1st Bn, wounded, discharged Oct 1915. Another old soldier - enlisted in 1904. Address given as Cheap St, Newbury.
Harry - don't assume he was in the Chelsea Hospital based on a record that he was a 'Chelsea pensioner' - most Chelsea pensioners did not live at the Hospital.
George - Oxford Wood barracks are probably Oxford Road barracks (Brock Barracks in Oxford Road - HQ of the Royal Berkshire Regiment). At his age I doubt he would have seen active service in WW1, though it's not impossible.
The info I have on Albert John is a bit jumbled with another chap of the same name from Birmingham. However, it does seem that he may well be named on the Collier Brickworks war memorial in Reading.
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Hi Phil,
Well I've got a lot more searching to do on Ancestry, Private Thomas Henry Banning b. 1888 for our Sarah & Thomas Banning was 24 in 1911 when he was in the 2nd Batt. Royal Berkshire Regiment, Princess Charlotte. However records at the Somme show his age as 36 years. He would have only been 30.
Need to check the rest of the Banning family to see if there are cousins with the same name.
Would love to see the photo that you talk about. Will get back to you after my searching. Jan
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Hi Phil,
Well can definitely confirm the deaths of Sarah & Thomas Banning' two sons in WWI as follows:
1. Private Thomas Henry Banning b. 1888, enlisted Reading. In 1911 census, he was 24 years of age in the 2nd Battalion of Princess Charlotte (Royal Berkshire) Regiment - No. 8114. He was killed in the Western European Theatre on the 9th March, 1917 - buried at Bray-sur-Somme, Picardie, France.
He would have been aged 29 years, not 36 years as shown in grave records. Mother Sarah A. Banning collected War Gratuities, on the 14.6.1917 an amount of 1 Pound 14.6d. and on the 15th October, 1919 - an amount of 15 Pounds 10.19d.
2. Private Albert John Banning b. 1894 was in the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards, No. 24632. Death was presumed on the 12.10.1917 - Memorial at Tyne Cot, Zonnekeke, West Flanders.
War Gratuities of 4 Pounds 0. 11d. and 8 Pounds 10 shillings paid to Mother Sarah A. Banning
Will get back to the rest of the family now.
Jan
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Here's the picture. I see it gives his age as 35 . . .
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Hi Phil,
Thanks for that, it is quite strange with the age, got to be a mis-print, born in 1888 would make him about 26 years of age or so.
Absolutely amazing, 7 sons went to war, or military in some form, 2 died in action, so so sad.
Jan
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Phil,
I don't suppose you are able to give me a copy of the article written, as well too, please.
The family lived in Newbury, up until around 1896, when they moved to Warfield, and subsequently Reading after Sarah's husband Thomas Banning died in 1902.
It has touched me quite deeply, to know that all of Sarah's children went to war. Would love to know more about the family, but need to join Find my Past.
Jan
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There was no article, just a page of pictures af men serving with the 1st Bn R Berks. Published in Berkshire and the War p67. As this was a supplementary publication by the Reading Standard I suppose there may be some text in the paper, but I only have the pictures. The Reading Standard hasn't been digitised yet :(
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On the museum website.
2nd Bn, Royal Berkshire Regiment - A black and white photograph of the Battalion Tug-of-War, Bayonet fighting, and cross country team?s at the Lahore meeting in February 1907.
A L/Cpl Banning is fourth from left in the front row.
http://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/research/the-collection/detail/33342
The photo is heavily copyright protected, but clear copies can be ordered.
Jebber
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Jebber thanks very much for that, just so interesting to find more history on this Banning family.
Jan