WW2 RAF Battle of Britain Fighter Pilot - Original photo lot - Sergt Pilot William Henry Banks, RAF (Hurricanes)

A collection of 4 original photos and a marriage invitation to a sergeant pilot who flew hurricanes in the Battle of Britain. To be sold with copies of internet research.

A wedding invitation from a Mrs M.W. Young accompanies the photos and this confirms Bank's marriage to her daughter Dorothy Young at All Saints Church in Gosforth on the 15th February 1940. In the group wedding photos of the happy couple the figure in an RAF uniform on the right of them, possibly his brother. Five items in total - some damage to one portrait otherwise in good condition. Would make an interesting addition to his medals, out there somewhere no doubt.

William Henry Banks was born on 14th October 1916 in Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and joined the RAF in February 1936 as an Aircraft-hand. He later applied for pilot training, learned to fly at 9 E&RFTS and was serving with 245 Squadron early in 1940.

He flew with the squadron on patrols over Dunkirk and on 14th June 1940 his aircraft was damaged by anti-aircraft fire on a patrol over France. Although another source says this was when flying Hurricane Mark 1, N2496 on the 30th May 1940.

Banks (Service Number 528637) was attached to 32 Squadron at RAF Acklington in Northumberland on 19th September 1940 but five days later he moved to 504 Squadron at RAF Filton near Bristol . On the 30th of the month he made a forced-landing in Hurricane Mark 1 P3774 following a combat over the Yeovil area.

Commissioned in October 1941, his subsequent service is mainly undocumented (any information most welcome) but it is known that Banks remained in the RAF after the end of the war, he was a Squadron Leader at RAF Station Spitalgate in July1953 as I fund a newspaper article relating to a marriage at which he gave away the bride, and he retired on 30th May 1958, as a Squadron Leader.
He died on 16th January 1980, in Birmingham.

Another photo of him and a brief biography (as quoted from above) can be found here:

https://www.bbm.org.uk/airmen/Banks.htm

An interesting research project.

Coll

Code: 66095