Private Robert Banks
- Rank
- Private
- Service number
- 594
- Unit
- 28 Battalion
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action
- Place of death
- Lagnicourt, France
- Date of death
- 26 March 1917
- Age
- 26
- Plaque number
- M287A
- Co-located plaques
- M287 - LT William Cook
- M287B - PTE Frederick Burgess
- Dedicated by
- Family on 16 August 2014
- More information
Biography presented during plaque dedication:
Private Robert Banks of 28 Battalion was born at Darwen Lancashire England in 1891. He was the son of John and Mary Banks; there were two sons and four daughters in the family.
He attended school at St George’s school, Darwen and in 1912 he emigrated to Western Australia.
Robert worked as teamster in the Tambellup area and his last employer was noted as Mascrop of Tingerup.
In January 1915, he enlisted at Katanning then began training at Blackboy Hill Military Camp in March. After a month, he was posted to 28 Battalion.
Robert sailed from Fremantle in June 1915 aboard HMAT Ascanius for Alexandria and then on HMAT Ivernia for Gallipoli where they were soon in action.
They returned to Alexandria in January 1916 then left for Marseilles in March.
Robert was wounded in August and also suffered from shell shock. After a lengthy recuperation, he returned to his Battalion in October 1916.
In early November he was again wounded but was able to resume duty at the end of the month.
On a period of leave in England he returned to the place of his birth and in March 1917 married Holly. His short leave concluded, he returned to duty.
Private Robert Banks, service number 594 of 28 Battalion, was killed in action at Lagnicourt, France on 26 March 1917 after having only been married for twelve days. He was 26 years of age.