Category: Military
Rank: Corporal
Regiment or Ship: Army Service Corps
Service Number(s): M2/055475
Occupation: Motor Lorry Driver
Date of Birth: 1873
Place of Birth: Pentbridge, Staffs.
Date of Death: 26.05.1944
Place of Death: Stoke on Trent, Staffs.
Address: 67 Station Road, Bexhill on Sea
Photos and newspaper articles
Click on any image to see a larger version
Family Information
Parents: Daniel Banham (1849-1913) and Emma Banham, nee Core, (1842-1919).
Siblings:
Daniel David Banham (1876-1876).
Albert Edward Banham (1877-1966).
William Banham (1886-).
John married Louisa Hand Harvey on 27th November 1901. In 1911 John and Louisa lived at 85 Reginald Road, Bexhill on Sea, but by 1915 they were living at 67 Station Road, Bexhill on Sea.
When John died his Probate records read:-
“BANHAM John of 3 Philip-street Fenton Stoke-on-Trent died 26 May 1944 Probate Llandudno 13 July to Fitzherbert Edward Shallcross Jackson estate owner. Effects £1159-15s-10d.”
First World War Experience
The first mention we have of John locally is in a newspaper dated 8th May 1915. This shows a photograph of him with the legend “Private J. Banham, 67 Station-road, is with the A.S.C. (Motor Transport). He served during the South African War.”
On his enlistment form (27th March 1915) John states that he is 40 years and 10 months old, is married, lives at 67 Station Road, Bexhill on Sea, and is employed as a Motor Lorry Driver. He is 5’ 5½” tall, with a chest measurement of 32” (expansion 2”). He is slight but wiry, with 6/6 vision in both eyes, and has a scar on his chest from a burn. He had served in the Shropshire Imperial Yeomanry (1228) and was discharged in May 1901.
At the time of his discharge from the WW1 conflict (6th March 1919) Louisa was living at Tedsmore Hall, Stone House, West Felton, Oswestry, Shropshire – presumably with her family. John’s reference at this time was excellent. He was shown to be of a sober nature, reliable and very intelligent, with good powers of command and control and tactful in the way of handling men. He was an N.C.O. and the driver of a Sunbeam car.
John was awarded the Victory Medal, the British War Medal, and the 15 Star. He was also awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in the Field.