Police inspector who helped shape Foyle's War dies
A popular former police inspector who played a key part in hit TV show Foyle's War has died at the age of 95.
Charlie Banks was a much-valued consultant for the drama, which followed the day-to-day life of a policeman in Hastings during World War Two, using his first hand knowledge to give producers a unique insight into the job.
However, even before his work with Foyle's War, Mr Banks was a much-loved and well respected member of the community.
Born in Twickenham in 1913, he spent his early years in the London area, leaving school at 14. Determined not to miss out on education, Mr Banks attended night school and later began working for a firm of printers. He then trained as a journalist but, with a father in the Metropolitan Police, Mr Banks was always destined for the force.
After moving to Bohemia Road upon his dad's retirement, Mr Banks joined Hastings Borough Police Force in June 1934.
Early in his life he had developed a keen interest in firearms and his ambition was to become a sniper in the army. However, an application to join the army was turned down on the grounds that his job in the police was more beneficial to the community. He was though made firearms officer for the borough police and many now retired officers received their firearms training directly from Mr Banks.
It was at work where Mr Banks met his wife, Joyce Heath, and the pair married in 1943 at St Ethelburgas Church in Filsham Road. They set up home in Conqueror Road, by which time Mr Banks had been promoted to the rank of sergeant and was also the borough licensing officer.
He then became police inspector and was put in charge of a team of local constables.
Mr Banks was very loyal to the former Hastings Borough Police Force and was bitterly disappointed when, in 1968, the force was amalgamated into what is now called Sussex Police.
Later that year he retired from the force but rejoined as a civilian and continued much of his good work. All in all he served as a police officer for 34 years and a further ten in a civilian role. He even wrote a book, A History of the County Borough of Hastings Police 1936 - 1967.
After retirement he became an active member of the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO) and was his services to the Hastings and Rother branch he was elected vice president of the organisation - a title he was extremely proud to hold.
Even if his later years, life for Mr Banks was never dull, especially when he began working with TV crews on Foyle's War, and he was always quick to point out any historical inaccuracies which threatened to slip into the show.
Mr Banks, whose nickname was Bugler Banks, was the last surviving member of Hastings Borough Police Force to have joined before the end of World War Two.
Sadly, his beloved wife died in 1999, but Mr Banks stayed in their Conqueror Road home, spending a lot of time tending his garden.
Eventually age caught up with though and he began suffering badly from arthritis. He therefore moved to Peterhouse Nursing Home in Bexhill where he stayed until falling ill earlier this month.
Mr Banks was taken to The Conquest where he sadly died after developing pneumonia following a fall.
He leaves behind his son Andrew and daughter Lucy. His funeral takes place at Hastings Crematorium on Thursday (January 29) at 10.15am. Donations to the British Heart Foundation are invited.
Whether dodging bombs during air raids, chasing after drunk Canadian soldiers, solving murders or keeping one step ahead of the wartime black market, Mr Banks served his community with a dogged determination.
Not only was Charles Banks' life a remarkable one, but the streets of Hastings were a safer place as a result of it.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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