Thank you to Adria Kinloch for allowing Dorking Museum to publish her research.
William Thomas Banks was born in 1897 in Norwood Hill, Leigh, so probably went to school in the village. He was the son of Walter and Emma Banks who lived at Little Flanchford Cottage in Leigh.
In the 1911 census his family were still at Little Flanchford Cottage. Walter, his father is a cowman. William is aged 14 and working as a garden boy, he has one brother, Arthur who is 12, and two sisters; Audrey aged 10 and Edith aged 5, they were all born in Norwood Hill, Leigh.
He enlisted into the 2nd / 4th Battalion, The Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment, at the time of his enlistment he was living in Leigh.
He died of wounds aged 21 on 21st August 1918, and is buried in Senlis French National Cemetery, Oise, France; grave reference 11 D 71.
| Born | Norwood Hill, Leigh, Surrey | |
| Lived | Norwood Hill, Leigh, Surrey | |
| Son of | Walter and Emma Banks of Little Flanchford Cottage, Leigh | |
| Regiment | 2nd/4th Battalion. Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | 206753 | |
| Date of Death | 2nd August 1918 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Died of wounds | |
| Age | 21 | |
| Cemetery | Senlis French National Cemetery, Oise, France |
