Robert BANKS, Forester died abt 1911 ? (General)

by Bloblynda , Wednesday, January 25, 2012, 09:14 (4682 days ago) @ Jefff

I realise I may have caused some confusion so I'll try and clarify things. My grandfather was Richard George Banks born in Purton, wilts (according to his 1911 census entry). I know all about him post 1911 when he married my grandmother in Llanelly, South Wales. I would like to know more pre-1911. He died in 1957 when I was very young so I've only been able to glean what the rest of the family said about him. He claims to have been brought up in the Forest of Dean, although he also often mentioned Tewkesbury which is not really FoD.There is a family of BAnks at Alderton about 5 miles from Tewkesbury but I can't find any relevant Chritian names there. He was born around 1883. I can find no birth cert. or any mention of him in censuses 1891 and 1901 in Gloucestershire. His marriage cert lists his father as Robert Banks , occupation Forester. It is believed that Richard Banks may have joined the army as a young man and that he rejoined during WW1. I have a picture of him with my Gmother and my father taken c1915 when he is in army uniform. WW1 records at the National Archive have yielded no results. His Father Robert is said to have died not long after Richard was married so it would be 1912-13 ish? Richard claimed his mother was MAtilda, but she died young and he was brought up by a grandmother (name unknown) because he did not get on with Robert's second wife (name unknown). Matilda was a Banks by marriage. I cannot find any death certificate for Matilda Banks and I can't find a marriage cert for Robert Banks and Matilda ? My grandfather also claimed to have several brothers, one of whom was called Jesse. I have found a Jesse Banks born 1873 which could be right except that the parents' names are totally different. Another brother was supposed to have emigrated to Australia.

Since I can find so little documentation, I am wondering whether they were perhaps a family of travellers or Romanies? And although he claims a link with Gloucestershire , maybe he did not spend much time there? Did foresters move around a lot for work?