Walter Binks
Date of birth: 31.8.1886
Date of death: 9.11.1918
Area: Wrenthorpe
Regiment: York & Lancaster
Family information: Husband of Ada Binks nee Ellis
Rank: Private
Service number: 53734
War Service
Walter enlisted on 11th December 1915 but was put in the army reserve until 15th April 1918. His medical form completed on the 22nd February 1917 gives his age as 30 years 6 months and his occupation as colliery fireman. He was five feet ten and a half inches tall. It also records that he was admitted to the Military Hospital Bere Island, Ireland on 22nd July 1918. He was examined and passed unfit for services overseas on 17th September 1918, nevertheless he was later mobilised with the 15th KOYLI as Private 52529 at Pontefract giving his address as Melbourne Lodge, Carr Gate. On 10th October 1918 he was posted to France and then transferred to the York and Lancs Regiment 18th Battalion as Private 53734 on the 17th October. He was wounded with a gunshot wound to the abdomen and right hip and died aged 32 on 9th November 1918 in a casualty clearing station, being buried in the St Andre Communal Cemetery. Walter left a will stating that his effects and money was to go to Ada and in the event of her death, to his son and stepson Harold and Walter equally.
“WRENTHORPE SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS Official information has been received of the death of Private Walter Binks, York & Lancs Regiment, of wounds in a casualty clearing station. His home was at Melbourne House Lodge, Wrenthorpe.”
“BINKS – On November 9th 1918 died from wounds received in France aged 32 years Private Walter Binks,York and Lancs Regt, dearly beloved husband of Ada Binks of Carr Gate and youngest beloved son of Mrs and the late James Binks late of East Ardsley.”
Walter is remembered in East Ardsley as well as in Wrenthorpe and was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Family Life
Walter was born on 31st August 1886 and baptised at St Michael’s East Ardsley on November 7th 1886, son of James and Mary Ellen. In 1901 he was living at Blackgates Farm with his dad recorded as a farmer and butter factor. James and Mary Ellen had a large family – Joseph (24), Ann (21), James (18), Ernest (16), Walter (14) and Christiana (12). By 1911 his father was dead and Walter was living at Carr Gate with his mother and three brothers Joseph, James and Ernest. He was a plumber’s horseman.
On 7th February 1914 Walter married Ada Ellis at St Anne’s who already had a son Walter Judge Ellis who had been born in 1905. On 12th April 1914, Joseph Harold was born to the couple.
St Andre Communal Cemetery
