Passenger killed in the Handley Page V/1500 air-crash.
James William Windebank was born on 11 December 1892, a son of William Windebank (1860-1941) and Mary Annie Maria Windebank née Tiley (1861-1952). His birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1893 in the St Saviour Registration District, Southwark, London. On 5 March 1893 he was baptised in St Mark's Church, Hamilton Terrace, Marylebone, London, where in the baptismal register his family are shown as living at 8 King Edward Street, London SE (now renamed as King Edward Walk, London, SE1) and his father was described as an engine fitter.
On 4 July 1898 he was admitted into St Mark's School, Westminster, London, where his date of birth is confirmed in the admission's register and that the family were residing at 52 Blenheim Terrace, St John's Wood, London.
In the 1901 census he is shown as aged 8 years and still living at 52 Blenheim Terrace, with his parents and his two elder sisters: Bertha Windebank (1884-1961) and Dorothy Leah Windebank (1889-1965). His father was listed as an engine fitter.
When the 1911 census return form was completed by his father, he was shown as aged 18 years and a jobbing motor mechanic, living in 4 rooms at 52 Blenheim Terrace, together with his parents and his two sisters. His father described himself as a fitter and turner, Bertha as music teacher and Dorothy as a student.
He died, aged 25 years, on 8 June 1918 whilst as a passenger aboard a Handley Page V/1500 aeroplane, Serial Number B9462, that crashed shortly after taking off from Cricklewood Aerodrome. His death was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1918 in the Hendon Registration District, Middlesex (now Greater London).
He is shown as JAMES WILLIAM WINDEBANK on the tablet that is recessed into the pavement outside 21 Garrick Avenue, London, NW11.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk and Andrew Behan.
