| Banks | Henry John Archibald | | Captain | BANKS, HENRY JOHN ARCHIBALD, Captain, was born 4 January 1869; educated at Wellington and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted Second Lieutenant to the Hampshire Regiment 9 November 1889, and promoted to Lieutenant 22 July 1891. He was promoted to Captain 26 January 1898. Captain Banks served in the South African War as Brigade Signalling Officer (graded Staff Captain) 31 January to 3 March, 1900, and as Divisional Signalling Officer 24 March, 1900, to 9 February 1901. He took part during operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February); actions at Poplar Grove, Karee Siding, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; during operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including actions near Johannesburg and Pretoria; during operations in the Transvaal, July to 29 November 1900; taking part during the operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900, to April, 1901. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 16 April, 1901], and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Henry John Archibald Banks, Captain, Hampshire Regiment. In recognition of services during operations in South Africa". The Insignia, etc, were sent to South Africa, to the Commander-in-Chief, and presented by the Duke of Cornwall and York 14 August 1901. He was appointed Assistant Inspector, Army Ordnance Department, 14 February 1903, and filled this post until 4 April, 1904, becoming Inspector, AOD, 5 April, 1904, and continuing in the appointment until 31 December 1906. He was promoted to Major, Hampshire Regiment, 24 March, 1907; was Ordnance Officer, 4th Class, from January 1907, to 16 December 1909, and Ordnance Officer, 3rd Class, 17 December 1909; transferred to the Army Ordnance Department, 1910. He was Deputy Assistant Director, War Office, 23 December 1911; became DAG, Artillery. During the European War he served in the Dardanelles and Salonika as Assistant Director of Ordnance, and from September 1915. he was employed at the War Office, and was given the Brevet rank of Lieutenant Colonel. His favourite recreations were music, fishing and shooting. Major Banks married (1st), in 1897, Eleanor Eva, daughter of Colonel S G Huskisson, late commanding 57th DCO, Middlesex Regiment, and they had two daughters. He married (secondly), in 1911, Ethel Winifred, daughter of Frampton Day, of Elvaston Place, Queen's Gate, London, and they had one son and one daughter.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Hampshire Regiment |
