By John D Ellis
John Banner was born in Africa c.1736. Exactly when Banner enlisted in the Royal Navy is not known, but in 1759 he was on HMS Minerva. There is a gap of seventeen-years in his service, before he re-enlisted on HMS Sandwich as an Able-Seaman in 1776 and served on the ship until 1779. Banner then transferred to HMS Portland on which he served in several engagements during the American War of Independence: The Affair of Fielding and Bylandt (1779). Capture of the French Sloop Marquise de Seignelay in the Channel (1780). Capture of the French ship Le Lion (1781). Capture of the US Sloop Royal Louis (1781). Capture of the US Privateer Lyon (1781). Capture of the US Frigate Disdain (1781). Capture of the US Brig Captain (1781).
Banner’s time at sea then came to an end for a short period, however, the parish registers for Portsmouth do provide some indicator of where he was residing: James Banner, son of John and Hannah, was baptised on the 8th of June 1783 at St Thomas (Anglican) Church, Portsmouth.
Banner subsequently returned to sea as an Able Seaman serving mainly out of Plymouth and Portsmouth on a variety of vessels: HMS Pegase (1785-1787). HMS Crown (1787-1788). HMS Elizabeth (1788-1789). HMS Goliath (1789). HMS Bellona (1790-1791). HMS Vulture (1793-1801).
In July 1801 John Banner applied to Greenwich Hospital after serving twenty-one years, one week and one day in the Royal Navy and being sixty-five years of age and “worn out”. He was “a black”, 5/6” tall and a servant by occupation.
He gave his address as No.14 Frederick Street, Portsea, and it was noted that he was married to Hannah and had one son. Banner was admitted to Greenwich on the 3rd of August 1801 but was discharged as an out-pensioner only eight days later. His fate might have remained unknown, but for an entry in Portsea parish registers: The burial of a John Banner, 4th February 1803, at St Mary (Anglican) Church.
Sources: John Banner’s specific place of birth was given as Mendie. The SS Mendi was a troop ship that infamously sank in the English Channel after a collision in 1917. Over 600 of the passengers and crew lost their lives – most of whom were Black soldiers from the 5th Battalion the South African Native Corps, en-route to France. TNA ADM 73/2/24. ADM 73/36 Part 2. ADM 73/38. ADM 73/55. ADM 73/65. findmypast.co.uk Matching the dates Banner served with the locations of ship is only possible because of the records provided by threedecks.org/index.php Baptism: James Banner, son of John and Hannah. St Thomas (Anglican), Portsmouth. 8th June 1783. Portsmouth History Centre. CHU 2/1A/7. Burial: John Banner. Burial 4th February 1803. St Mary (Anglican), Portsea, Hampshire. Portsmouth History Centre. Hampshire, Portsmouth Burials 1801-1812. CHU 3/1A/12. findmypast.co.uk