No.3/10217, Sergeant, James BANHAM
Aged 40
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James Banham was born in 1877 (Thingoe Q4-1877 4A:533), son of John and Charlotte BANHAM (née LANE).
1881 census...Aged 3, he was at Ixworth Thorpe with his father John BANYARD [32] farm labourer born Rattlesden; his mother Charlotte [29]; brothers John T [8] Alfred [5] and Herbert [6 months]. All except his father were born in Ixworth Thorpe. 1891 census...(transcribed as Bauhaus) Aged 13, a farm labourer) he was in Ixworth Thorpe with his parents, brothers John T and Alfred (farm labourers), Herbert Arthur [3] and Harry [3 months] both born in Ixworth Thorpe. 1901 census...Aged 23 he was in the Suffolk Regiment in South Africa. At Ixworth Road, Ixworth Thorpe were his parents, brothers John Thomas (horsekeeper) and Harry [10] born Ixworth Thorpe Married Emily GREENWOOD (Burnley Q2-1908 8E:652)(b.20-12-1869) later of 182 Pine Street, Nelson, Lancashire where she was at the time of James' death 1911 census...Aged 33, a stoker at Gas depot, he was at 74 Bradley Hall Road, Nelson, Lancs with his wife Emily [40] born Cowley, Yorkshire; stepson Raymond GREENWOOD [16] born Skipton, Yorkshire and grand-daughter ? Ivy GREENWOOD [9?] born Skipton ? |
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He enlisted in the Suffolk Regiment No.3861 on 13th June 1894, giving his age as 18 years 2 months, a labourer born in Ixworth Thorpe, Suffolk. He was in the
Militia at the time. Weighing 118 lbs (53.7 kg), he was 5 feet 4.1 inches (162.7 cm) tall,. chest 32.5" to 34.5" (82.6 to 87.6 cm), blue eyes, brown hair, Church of England. He joined the 1st Battalion on 21st June 1894. Posted to Malta on 9th April 1897, he was tried by District Courts Martial in May 1897 for stealing from a comrade, he lost his 1 penny a day good conduct pay and forfeited 112 days service (apparently confined for 112 days since the next entry is return to duty on 19th September 1897. He regained his good conduct pay 10th March 1898 but lost it again on 2nd May (reason not shown). On 5th November 1898 he regained his 1d G.C.pay and was awarded 2d G.C. pay on 5th November 1900. He was posted home on 12th January 1899 and then went to South Africa on 10th November 1899 and was there until 15th September 1902. Whilst in South Africa he was awarded the Queens South Africa Medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal, and the Kings South Africa medal with clasps for 1901 and 1902 He would have finished 12 years service and on 13th June 1906 he re-engaged for a further four years. Discharged 12th June 1910 a the end of that period of service. His last address was 182 Pine Street, Nelson. He enlisted in Nelson, Lancashire, volunteering very early in the war, having served 16 years he was not on the Reserves. His Medal Roll entry has him first in 2nd then the 9th Battalion, but it must have been the 2nd Battalion he was with when he fell at Zonnebeke. On 26th September 1917 the 2nd and 5th Armies attacked on a six mile front between St.Julien and Tower Hamlets, the 2nd Suffolks advancing towards Zonnebeke. It was a very successful advance, the 2nd Suffolks capturing the village of Zonnebeke and holding it against a counter-attack. CWGC records show the 37 men of the 2nd Suffolks were killed in achieving their objective that day. From the Burnley News of 27th October 1917 Nelson Woman's sad bereavement. Official news has been received by Mrs Banham of 182 Pine Street, Nelson, of the death in action of her husband, Sergt.James NBanham, of the Suffolk Regiment. The deceased was an old soldier and served in the South African War, but despite the fact that his was then time expired, he immediately responded to the call in August 1914, and rejoined the oolours. He was well known in the town as a gas meter inspector in the employ of the Corporation and was an efficient and highly respected servant.
Above newspaper cutting and photo courtesy Susan Hulme , James was her great uncle
and also on the Nelson war memorial click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
