William Algernon Banks

A Private with the Army Service Corps, William died on 27 September 1918, aged 28.

William's first names were William Algernon. Some records show his first name, other only his middle name. William was born at Ashill, Norfolk, in 1890, a son of William and Lydia Banks. He was baptised at Ashill on 31 August 1890. In 1891 his family lived at Panworth Hall Farm, Long Drove, Ashill. By 1901 his family were living at Rectory Road, Mellis, Suffolk. William's mother died and his father remarried and in 1911 was living at Rumsby's Cottages, Gisleham Road, Gisleham.

William moved to Yorkshire and the 1911 Census shows him working as a 'beastman on farm' at Borrow Farm, Langtoft, Driffield. 

William volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Driffield in February 1915. He joined the Army Service Corps, service number R4/068285, and was part of the Remounts Section. He arrived in Salonika around December 1916 and served with the 45th Remounts Section. On 30 August 1918 he was admitted to 80th General Hospital, Hortakoi, Greece, suffering from malaria. Later he was transferred to 60th General Hospital, Hortakoi, where he died. 

William is commemorated on the war memorial at Gisleham Church which reads: 'Pte. Algernon Banks. Died on Service October 1918'.