Name
Reginald George Banks
Conflict
Second World War
Date of Death / Age
15/10/1941
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
1165223
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
226 Sqdn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL
Panel 39.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St. Mark’s Church Memorial, Hitchin, Hitchin Roll of Honour 1939 – 1945 (Book) St Mary’s Church, Hitchin, Hitchin Boys’ Grammar School Memorial (WW2)
Biography
He attended St. Mary's School, Hitchin and won a scholarship to the Hitchin Grammar School where he stayed from 1931-1936. At school he obtained his Oxford School Certificate and, on leaving, was employed in the Enquiry Office at Kings Cross Station in London.
He joined the R.A.F. in August 1940 with Service Number 1165223. At the time of his death he was attached to 226 Squadron flying Blenheim IVs. He took part in many operational flights until he was first reported missing and later presumed killed. The incident occurred on a bombing mission to Le Havre, when he took off from Tangmere at 13.46hrs. His Blenheim IV Z7494 MQ-Z was shot down by a ME 109 fighter whilst in the target area and crashed into the sea. The other two members of the crew were also killed.
This was a particularly hard day for the Blenheim Squadrons of 2 Group. From a total of 24 aircraft despatched on all types of operation, no less than 7 aircraft and all their aircrew were lost.
He has no known grave but is remembered on Panel 39 of the Runnymede Memorial at Egham in Surrey.
He was the son of George William and Elizabeth Maud Banks of 27, Brampton Park Road, Hitchin.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines – ‘Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice’, Hitchin Grammar School Chronicle, Paul Johnson - local historian, ‘RAF Bomber Command Losses’ by W.R. Chorley, Herts Pictorial dated 28th Oct 1941
