George R. B.'s Story.
St Mary’s Weaverham “Roll of Honour” has three lads named Bancroft, these lads are brothers;
G.R.B. (George Raymond Beeston) Bancroft, Cheshirebmd records a George Raymond B. Bancroft born 1890 in Northwich;
J.B.B. (John Bevis Beeston) Bancroft. (Cheshireroll Complete)
G.W.B.(Geoffrey William Beeston) Bancroft. (Cheshireroll Complete)
Freebmd confirms the marriage of William Bancroft and Mary Ann H. Beeston in Nantwich 1888, mum and dad.
The 1911 census finds the Bancroft’s at Mere Bank Weaverham; William, head of the family, aged 46, a Solicitor (Own Account.) born Gorstage; Mary Ann Harriot wife, aged 45, born Audlem; George Raymond Beeston, son, aged 21, Solicitor Article Clerk (U/Graduate Manch. Univ.), born Northwich
The 1901 census finds the Bancroft’s at Chester Road Northwich; William, head aged 36, Solicitor, born Gorstage, Mary A., wife, aged 34, born Audlem, George R.B., son, aged 11, born Northwich; Geoffrey W., son, aged 5, born Northwich; John B. B., son, aged 3, Northwich.
10926 THE LONDON GAZETTE, 5 NOVEMBER, 1915.
The Durham Light Infantry. George Raymond Beeston Bancroft to be Second Lieutenant and seconded for duty with a Provisional Battalion. Dated 6th November, 1915.
11562 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE 8 NOV. 1917.
Durham L.l.—The undermentioned 2nd Lts., to be Lts., 1st July 1917:— G. R. B. Bancroft, and rem. Sec’d.
1470 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON -GAZETTE, 30 JANUARY, 1919.
War Office, 3Oth January, 1919. REGULAR FORCES. COMMANDS AND STAFF The undermentioned app’ts. are made:- 5th Bn., Durham L.I.—The undermentioned officers are now seconded for service with the Labour Corps. 1st Dec. 1918: — Lt. G. R. B. Bancroft (attd. 27th Bn.).
2234 SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE, 12 FEBRUARY, 1919
5th Bn., Durham L.I.— Lt. G. R. B. Bancroft is restored to the estbt. 14th Jan. 1919.
N.A.M.C. - do not have a medal card for George R. B. Bancroft. They do not have a medal card for a lad named Bancroft that fits with the Gazetted articles above. Medal cards only being issued for lads who have entered a Theatre of War. It is my understanding that the Medal Cards held are complete so we are left with an uncertainty in that, did George R. B. Bancroft enter a Theatre of War or was his service Home based?
This comment is from “The Long Long Trail” on the Durham Light Infantry;
“On 1 January 1917, the 25th Provisional Bn became 27th Bn DLI. The 25th had been formed from Home Service personnel from the TF Bns of the regiment. Remained in England throughout the war.”
The 1921 census records George Raymond Beeston Bancroft living at home, Mere Bank, W/ham, with his mother and father and younger brother John. George is 31, single, Solicitor, working for his father on Timber Lane, Northwich.
Research Bob H.
Research Bob H.