Joseph's Story.
Private Joseph Banks 7411 served in the Volunteer Service Company (G Company) of the 2nd Battalion the Cheshire Regiment. He died of enteric fever (typhoid) in Johannesburg Hospital on 9th July 1900 aged 20 years. He was buried on 10th July 1900 at Braamfontein Cemetery, Johannesburg. He is remembered on the memorial in Northwich, and on a plaque in his local church at Barnton. He is also commemorated on the Cheshire Regiment Boer War memorial in Chester Cathedral, St Werburgh Street, Chester.
What do we know about Joseph?
Joseph was the sixth child of William Banks (1838 - 1923), a labourer, and Ann nee Buckley (1839 - 1918) He was born on 12th September 1879, the younger brother of Ellen (born 1860), William (1862–1898), John Henry (1864–1904), Samuel (1869–1941) and Elizabeth Ann (1877–1949). The family lived in Barnton, near Northwich. Joseph's childhood home was in Townfield Lane, but by the time of his death, his parents had moved to 25 Lydyett Lane.
Joseph enlisted with the Volunteer Cheshire Regiment. He sailed to South Africa, but was admitted to hospital on 21st June 1900, suffering from typhoid. He died a fortnight later on 9th July and was buried the next day, 10th July, at Braamfontein Cemetery, Johannesburg.
Eighteen months later, on 2nd November 1901, a commemorative plaque was placed in Christ Church at Barnton:
(Liverpool Mercury 4th November 1901)
"On Saturday evening a brass tablet to the memory of Joseph Banks, of the Hartford Company of the 2nd V.B. Cheshire Regiment, was unveiled in Barnton Church, near Northwich. The deceased, who was a native of the village, was one of the first to answer the call for volunteers. Whilst in South Africa he was seized with enteric, and succumbed to the disease on July 10th, 1900." (Manchester Courier, Monday 4th November 1901)
The newspaper account below (Northwich Guardian, 9th November 1901) gives more details of who was present at the unveiling:
He is remembered on the Northwich Boer War Memorial at St Helen's Church, Witton, erected in 1905.
Researched by S. Lewington 2025
What do we know about Joseph?
Joseph was the sixth child of William Banks (1838 - 1923), a labourer, and Ann nee Buckley (1839 - 1918) He was born on 12th September 1879, the younger brother of Ellen (born 1860), William (1862–1898), John Henry (1864–1904), Samuel (1869–1941) and Elizabeth Ann (1877–1949). The family lived in Barnton, near Northwich. Joseph's childhood home was in Townfield Lane, but by the time of his death, his parents had moved to 25 Lydyett Lane.
Joseph enlisted with the Volunteer Cheshire Regiment. He sailed to South Africa, but was admitted to hospital on 21st June 1900, suffering from typhoid. He died a fortnight later on 9th July and was buried the next day, 10th July, at Braamfontein Cemetery, Johannesburg.
Eighteen months later, on 2nd November 1901, a commemorative plaque was placed in Christ Church at Barnton:
(Liverpool Mercury 4th November 1901)
"On Saturday evening a brass tablet to the memory of Joseph Banks, of the Hartford Company of the 2nd V.B. Cheshire Regiment, was unveiled in Barnton Church, near Northwich. The deceased, who was a native of the village, was one of the first to answer the call for volunteers. Whilst in South Africa he was seized with enteric, and succumbed to the disease on July 10th, 1900." (Manchester Courier, Monday 4th November 1901)
The newspaper account below (Northwich Guardian, 9th November 1901) gives more details of who was present at the unveiling:
He is remembered on the Northwich Boer War Memorial at St Helen's Church, Witton, erected in 1905.
Researched by S. Lewington 2025