James Watt Robertson Banks: 1924-1998

 

James Watt Robertson Banks was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 15 January 1924 to Alexander Crombie Banks and Mary Isabella McEwen. He had an older brother William and his father was a painter. On 6 August 1925, the family sailed on the ship "S.S. Ballarat" and immigrated to Sydney, Australia. 

He attended Burnside Public School in North Parramatta, NSW and became an electrical fitter. He enlisted in the Australian Armed Services during WWII at the age of 18 in 1942 till 1946. He assisted in the defense of Darwin as a gunner. Darwin was bombed 59 times during the war. He was awarded the General Service Medal for being part of the defense to keep open the Australia's Northern gateway. He was awared the Commonwealth Service Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal and the Australian Active Service Medal. 

He returned home and worked as an electrical fitter, he also tested electrical appliances. He married Eva Irene Gimson on 4 June 1949 in Parramatta, NSW, Australia. Together they eventually settled in Guildford, NSW where they lived for many years. They had three children, their oldest, Les, is this authors' husband. 

After this author arrived in NSW to marry their son, he treated me as his own and was a wonderful grandfather to all of the children. When their home became too big, they moved to the Mayflower Villas. Jim was well known and an active member of the local Guildford and Merrylands Returned Service League, and his local church, he loved the Lord. He had the opportunity to visit James Simpson Lockhart Banks Taylor, a first cousin, in Queens, NY when visiting us in Rhode Island in 1993, it was an amazing visit. Hard to believe the resemblance.

His favorite saying when asked how he was feeling was "I feel with my hands" and a grin from ear to ear. While visiting in May, 1998, he passed away after a family get together. 

"Lest We Forget"

James Watt Robertson Banks: 15 January 1924-19 May 1998

Claire (*)

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William Moir Banks

William Moir Banks was born on 14 April, 1897 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland to James Simpson Banks and Jane Neil Lockhart, he was the 12th child in a very large family. According to the 1901 Scottish census, his father was a plasterer and they lived on Wheatfield St. in Edinburgh where he grew up.

His attestation papers state he enlisted in the Gordon Highlands Corps at the age of 19 1/2 years in 1915. We are fortunate to have a copy of his papers as many of these records were destroyed in World War 2 and this is part of the "burnt" collection that survived. At the time of his enlistment, he stated that he was a painter. He was a Private assigned to the 2nd Battalion and on 22 April 1917 was killed in action.

According to an article in Wikipedia we learn that the Gordon Highlanders was a British Army Infantry Regiment that recruited from Aberdeen and the North-East of Scotland. According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commision, William is buried in the Croisilles British Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France.

In commemoration of recognizing those who have lost their lives through war, the International Wargraves Photography Project was created in September,2005 and is published on Findagrave.com. William Moir Banks is listed in this Find a Grave reference for those who are buried in the Croisilles British Cemetery along with many other veterans. Learn about their project here.

As part of his family, we are grateful for all the veterans who have faithfully served and paid the ultimate price to provide the freedoms we enjoy today.