John Banks

Who was John Banks?

John Sherbrooke Banks, was a British major.

Banks was in 1828 nominated to a cadetship in the Bengal army by the Right Honourable Charles Wynn, at that time president of the board of control. Arriving in India in 1829, he was posted to the 33rd regiment Bengal native infantry, of which he became quartermaster and interpreter in 1833. He was subsequently employed for some time on civil duties in the Saugor and Nerbudda territory. In 1842 he served with General Pollock's army of retribution in the march upon Kabul, and shortly afterwards was appointed to a subordinate office in the military secretariat. In this office some years later he was brought into contact with the governor-general, the Marquis of Dalhousie, whose confidence and personal regard he speedily acquired. Owing to the absence of the head of the department on sick leave, it devolved upon Major Banks to make all the arrangements for the expedition which resulted in the conquest and annexation of Pegu. Shortly after the close of the war, he accompanied Lord Dalhousie on a visit to British Burma, and subsequently became a member of the governor-general's personal staff in the capacity of military secretary.