BORN HULL 1897. SON OF JAMES SHANKS (1866-1922) & ELIZABETH SWIFT (1862-), OF 53, HOPWOOD STREET, HULL (WAR PENSION ADDRESS). HE HAD FOUR BROTHERS AND ONE SISTER.
WORKED AS A KITCHEN PORTER AND BARMAN AT THE ROYAL STATION HOTEL.
ENLISTED AT HULL ON 17/09/1914. HIS ARMY RECORDS DESCRIBE HIM AS 5 FOOT 7 INCHES TALL, 36 INCH CHEST, 151 LBS, BROWN EYES, DARK BROWN HAIR, FRESH COMPLEXION AND OF ‘GOOD’ CHARACTER. SERVED AS A GUNNER, IN THE ROYAL GARRISON ARTLLERY. DID NOT SERVE OVERSEAS. DISCHARGED AS UNFIT FROM THE SERVICE ON 29/07/1916. AWARDED SILVER WAR BADGE (NO 14869). DIED OF ILLNESS, ON 13/02/1921. HIS MILITARY GRAVE LIES IN HULL WESTERN CEMETERY.
HIS BROTHERS, HORACE & PERCY SHANKS SERVED IN ARMY AT SAME ADDRESS.
HIS BROTHER, PRIVATE, HORACE WILLIAM SHANKS, MACHINE GUN CORPS DIED OF PNEUMONIA, ON 12/11/1918, AGED 21, AND IS BURIED AT ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY.
HIS BROTHER, SYDNEY SHANKS, DIED IN HULL, ON THE 17TH JULY 1918, AGED 19.
