Cecil Banes-Walker Explained

Cecil Banes-Walker
Country:England
Fullname:Frederick Cecil Banes-Walker
Birth Date:19 June 1888
Birth Place:North Petherton, Somerset, England
Death Place:Aubers Ridge, near Fleurbaix, Pas-de-Calais, France
Batting:Right-handed
Role:Batsman
Club1:Somerset
Year1:1914
Type1:First-class
Debutdate1:9 July
Debutyear1:1914
Debutfor1:Somerset
Debutagainst1:Kent
Lastdate1:31 August
Lastyear1:1914
Lastfor1:Somerset
Lastagainst1:Essex
Hidedeliveries:true
Columns:1
Column1:First-class
Matches1:5
Runs1:172
Bat Avg1:19.11
100S/50S1:0/0
Top Score1:40
Catches/Stumpings1:3
Date:26 October
Year:2009
Source:http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/3/3420/3420.html CricketArchive

Frederick Cecil Banes-Walker (19 June 1888 – 9 May 1915) was an English first-class cricketer who played five matches for Somerset County Cricket Club. He also played rugby for Clifton Rugby Football Club, and hockey for Gloucestershire. He was killed in action during the First World War.[1]

Cricket career

Known as Cecil Banes-Walker, he made his name at Long Ashton Cricket Club.[2] He made his first-class debut in July 1914 in Gravesend against Kent. Batting at number nine, he made 5 and 28 in a nine wicket loss.[3] For his next match against Yorkshire, he was promoted to number three as Somerset fell for just 90 runs, chasing Yorkshire's 372. Following on, Banes-Walker remained not out on 15, and Somerset lost by an innings.[4] His home debut brought another loss, Worcestershire the recipients this time, claiming a ten wicket victory, Banes-Walker's 8 and 23 while batting at number eight doing little to affect the match.[5] His highest score came against Hampshire, as he hit 40 in the first innings at the County Ground, Southampton.[6] Somerset lost by an innings again, and Banes-Walker finished his first-class career win-less as Essex eased to a ten-wicket victory in his final match.[7]

Military service

On the outbreak of the First World War in the summer of 1914, Banes-Walker enlisted in the Gloucestershire Regiment as a private, but shortly after was gazetted into the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment as a second lieutenant (on probation) on 7 October 1914.[8] He later completed a machine-gun course, and was attached to the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment as a machine-gun officer in March 1915.[9] On 9 May 1915 the British launched the Battle of Aubers Ridge. The 2nd Devons were not involved in the assault, but seem to have been ordered into the front British trenches in support. The battalion's war diary records that as they were moving up, they came under heavy German artillery and machine-gun fire, and that between 6:45 and 7:30 Banes-Walker was killed, along with another second lieutenant. Four other second lieutenants were injured at the same time.[10] [11] On 19 May, The Bridgwater Mercury reported that his father received intelligence that his son had been killed.[9] Banes-Walker was buried at Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France.[12]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cricketers who died in World War 1 — Part 1 of 5 . Cricket Country . 28 November 2018.
  2. Web site: Wisden — Obituaries in 1915 . . 26 October 2009.
  3. Web site: Kent v Somerset . CricketArchive . subscription . 26 October 2009.
  4. Web site: Yorkshire v Somerset . CricketArchive . subscription . 26 October 2009.
  5. Web site: Somerset v Worcestershire . CricketArchive . subscription . 26 October 2009.
  6. Web site: Hampshire v Somerset . CricketArchive . subscription . 26 October 2009.
  7. Web site: Somerset v Essex . CricketArchive . subscription . 26 October 2009.
  8. Web site: OFFICER CASUALTIES OF THE TWO WORLD WARS . 27 June 2002 . Dix Noonan Webb . 26 October 2009.
  9. Web site: Somerset officer killed . The Bridgwater Mercury. from online extract on Clifton Rugby Football Club website. 19 May 1915 . 26 October 2009.
  10. Web site: War Diaries—Image details—23 Infantry Brigade: 2 Battalion Devonshire Regiment 1914 Nov. – 1919 Apr.. DocumentsOnline. The National Archives. fee usually required to view pdf of full original war diary. 36. 27 October 2009.
  11. Web site: The 8th Division in 1914–1918. Chris. Baker. The Long, Long Trail. 1996–2009. 28 October 2009.
  12. Web site: Casualty details—Banes Walker, Frederick Cecil. Commonwealth War Graves Commission. 27 October 2009.