Person Page - 689

     Elizabeth Rachel Riches married William Robert Banthorpe, son of William Banthorpe and Margaret Maria Day, in 1899 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,2 In the census of 31 March 1901 in 23 Stanley Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, she was listed as the wife of William Robert Banthorpe.³

     Margaret died in 1899 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,2 She was born in 1899 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,3 She was the daughter of William Robert Banthorpe and Elizabeth Rachel Riches.

     Annie Maud Banthorpe was born in 1900 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,2 She was the daughter of William Robert Banthorpe and Elizabeth Rachel Riches. In the census of 31 March 1901 in 23 Stanley Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, she was listed as the daughter of William Robert Banthorpe William worked for the Corporation as a carman.³ She married David H Stibbles in 1920 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,4

     Horace died in 1901 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,2 He was born in 1901 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,3 He was the son of William Robert Banthorpe and Elizabeth Rachel Riches.

     George Watson Banthorpe was born in 1902 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,2 He was the son of William Robert Banthorpe and Elizabeth Rachel Riches.

     William died in 1903 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,2 He was born in 1903 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,3 He was the son of William Robert Banthorpe and Elizabeth Rachel Riches.

     William R Banthorpe was born in 1912 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,2 He was the son of William Robert Banthorpe and Elizabeth Rachel Riches. William died in 1913 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^1,3

     Ellen M Folkes was born about 1884.¹ She married William Robert Banthorpe, son of William Banthorpe and Margaret Maria Day, in 1925 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, Ellen was Williams second wife.^2,3 Ellen died in 1959 in Yarmouth, Norfolk, England.^2,4

     Florence L Reason married Ernest William J Banthorpe, son of James Banthorpe and Florence Kedge, in 1913 in Axbridge, Suffolk, England.^1,2

     Clifford H J Banthorpe was born in 1915 in Axbridge, Suffolk, England.^1,2 He was the son of Ernest William J Banthorpe and Florence L Reason. Clifford died in 1918 in Axbridge, Suffolk, England.^1,3

     Florence U M Banthorpe was born in 1920 in Axbridge, Suffolk, England.^1,2 She was the daughter of Ernest William J Banthorpe and Florence L Reason. She married Dennis G Beckham in 1942 in Weston, Suffolk, England.^1,3

     Dora C Banthorpe was born in 1922 in Axbridge, Suffolk, England.^1,2 She was the daughter of Ernest William J Banthorpe and Florence L Reason.

     Frederick George Curtis married Dora May Banthorpe, daughter of James Banthorpe and Florence Kedge, in 1910 in Islington, London, England.^1,2 In the census of 2 April 1911 in School Lane, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, Norfolk, England, he was listed as the grandson of James Kedge Frederick was living with his wife and grandaughter of James Kedge in their home. He was a Trooper 16 The Queens Lancers.³

     Alice Maud Sadd was born on 16 January 1894 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^1,2 She married William Banthorpe, son of James Banthorpe and Kate Palmer, in 1915 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^3,4 Alice was described on her husband William's army papers as his next of kin and living in 1917 1917 at 14 Oak Street, Norwich.⁵ Alice died in 1970 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^3,6

     Robert Henry Mower was born on 4 August 1907 in Ubbeston, Suffolk, England. He was the son of Walter Mower and Mary Ann Banthorpe. He married Elsie May Briggs in 1945 in Blyth, Suffolk, England.¹ Robert died in November 1990 in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, aged 83.¹

     William Gilbert Banthorpe was born on 15 January 1918 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^1,2 He was the son of William Banthorpe and Alice Maud Sadd. He married Dorothy Jones in 1947 Dorothy was cleraly using the name of Banthorpe prior to the marriage as in the GRO index two entries appear. One marrying a Banthorpe to a Jones the other a Banthorpe to a Banthorpe.^1,3 His wife Dorothy died on after 1975 but before October 2000.¹ William died on 19 October 2000 aged 82 Gilly, as he was universally known, was a remarkable man, serving continuously in uniform for 57 years from his joining the TA in 1939 until his retirement as PMC Norfolk Army Cadets in 1996.
He joined the 4th Bn TA in Mar 1939 and trained on Mortars. Gilly was called up in Sep 1939 and reported on his motor cycle which was requisitioned (for some small recompense) and he never saw it again. Gilly spent the war years mainly at Britannia Barracks as a Weapons Training Instructor with No 2 ITC.
He was an instructor to the first intake and taught them to ride bicycles and to use a pickaxe by numbers. Some lads were not too hot on differentiating between left and right but Gilbert had the solution. A wisp of hay was tied to one boot and a piece of straw to the other. 'I will now teach you how to salute to the straw.'
In 1946 Gilly was promoted WO2 and posted to The Essex Regiment in Colchester. In 1951 he returned to his pre-war employment with the Gas Board, re-joined the 4th Bn TA as a CSgt and had more success with shooting. Gilly was always a man quick of the mark. The Company returned to Thorpe Station and Capt William Gaymer summoned Gilbert. 'Banthorpe - I am going to march with the Coy back to the drill hall. Take my car will you.' Gilbert not only had time to drop off his kit at home but have a haircut before the Captain arrived on foot.
At the age of 65, ACF retirement age caught up with him in 1983. But the County Executive Officer, Maj Tim Chatting, indicated that ACF Regulations permitted the holding of a PMC, unpaid, provided he was of Field rank. And so Extension No 3 came to pass.
Gilly performed his last official duty as PMC at ACF Annual Camp at Cwrt-Y-Gollen, Crickhowell in August 1996 when he retired again after 57 years in uniform at the age of 78, handing over to Capt Roy Ames. There were no more extensions!
In retirement from the Gas Board, Gilly was instrumental in the setting up of the Gas Museum at Fakenham and this stands as a memorial and testament to his tenacity, enthusiasm and sheer hard work. He was also a familiar face in a white coat in his other capacity as a caterer at Norfolk Regimental Dinners and Reunions.
A founder member and for many years our Welfare and Entertainments Officer, Gilly was a regular attender at Norwich and District Branch Meetings of the Royal Norfolk and Royal Anglian Regimental Association and wrote the piece for the B&C. He missed, through illness, for the first time ever, the Regimental Association Dinner in Sep 2000.
There was standing room only at his funeral service at St Faith's Crematorium on Thu 26 Oct, conducted by Rev Jonathan Boston, Senior Padre to Norfolk ACF. A Guard of Honour was composed of Norwich Branch members. The Norwich and District Branch Standard of the Royal Norfolk and Royal Anglian Regimental Association, black draped and carried by Paul Boxall, attended the coffin, on which rested Gilly's No 1 hat bearing a Royal Norfolk cap badge. Gilly's son Gerry paid tribute to his father 'Jack The Lad' as a young man and 'Jack The Lad' in his later years when his grand-children took him out. The Last Post was sounded for Gilly by Edmund Bacon. Many were in attendance, including, from Norfolk ACF, County Comdt Col Mike Mizen, Trg Offr Maj John Doughty, OC CNE Bty Maj Chris Wilkinson, Capt Sue Pratt MBE and Ben Turner.
Gilly touched and influenced for good the lives of countless people who are richer for knowing him.
He had a fund of stories, thankfully recorded. A true son of the Regiment. We will miss him.
His wife Dot pre-deceased him and he is survived by his son Gerald, 2 granddaughters, 2 great grandsons (one named William after him) and one great granddaughter.⁴

     Alice Mary Banthorpe was born in 1920 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^1,2 She was the daughter of William Banthorpe and Alice Maud Sadd.

     Irene E Banthorpe was born in 1925 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^1,2 She was the daughter of William Banthorpe and Alice Maud Sadd.

     Mabel I Banthorpe was born in 1929 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^1,2 She was the daughter of William Banthorpe and Alice Maud Sadd. Mabel died in 1960 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^1,3

     James Banthorpe was born in 1931 in Forehoe, Norfolk, England.^1,2 He was the son of William Banthorpe and Alice Maud Sadd.

     William H Addison married Ellen Banthorpe, daughter of James Banthorpe and Kate Palmer, in 1917 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^1,2

     Doris E Boswell married John Edward Banthorpe, son of James Banthorpe and Kate Palmer, in 1931 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^1,2

     Muriel K Banthorpe was born in 1933 in Eastry, Kent, England.^1,2 She was the daughter of John Edward Banthorpe and Doris E Boswell. She married Jack P Daniels in 1956 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^1,3

     Herbert A Stroud married Alice Mary Banthorpe, daughter of James Banthorpe and Kate Palmer, in 1922 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^1,2

     Frank Wilson married Ida Violet Banthorpe, daughter of James Banthorpe and Kate Palmer, in 1934 in Norwich, Norfolk, England.^1,2