John A Banham Air Mech. RFC

[Guest]

I am looking for info on a relative who died at the very end of WW1 - probably of pneumonia/flu in a hospital in France. His name is not to be found on the CWGC site.

His widow had the black-edged letter/telegram informing her of his death & I have actually seen it but that was nearly 30 years ago & I can't remember the details. Her belongings all disappeared after she died.

His name appears on two war memorials in both Shildon & New Shildon, Co Durham.

I have obtained his name & original (Army?)serial number the from Public Records Office when the RFC transferred its members to the RAF in 1918 - John Anthony Banham 1332508.

The problem is that his serial number then changed to an RAF number, I believe, of 6 digits but I don't know how to continue from this point.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Carlwest

[Northern Soul]

His name according to the CWGC was JOHN APPLEGARTH BANXAM

Air Mechanic 1st Class, 47729, 1st Aero Supply Depot, Royal Air Force, who died on Wednesday 23 October 1918 . Age 27. Husband of Margaret Banham, of 12, Mill St., New Shildon, Co. Durham. Native of New Shildon.

ST. SEVER CEMETERY EXTENSION, ROUEN Seine-Maritime, France

Grave Number: S. II. E. 13.

This looks like a transcription error so it may be worth contacting the CWGC to get it corrected.

Regards.

Andy.

[Guest]

I am astounded. It was such a short time before that I posted my request & here's everything I wanted.

I only had the name John A Banham & that was the request I sent to the PRO. There was only one John A Banham on their list so I took this to be correct.

All the details you have given are so clearly correct - husband of Margaret (great Aunt Meggie).

So, we'll be off to France again soon.

I cannot thank you enough.

Carlwest