By motorsport writer Mick Nokes

GRASSTRACK lost another of its all time great riders and characters with the passing of Monty Banks last week.

Monty, aged 87, died at home in Capel on June 23 after a battle against cancer. .

Born in Raynes Park, South West London Monty's first interest in motorcycles came watching road racing at Brooklands and speedway at Wimbledon and Wembley.

He was called up for World War ll and became a driver-mechanic with the Gordon Highlanders, later switching to being a despatch rider and being decorated with the Africa and Italy stars.

It was in the forces that Monty - real names Alfred William Charles - gained his nickname after a film star, Monty Banks - and because he wore his beret on the side of his head like wartime forces chief, Field Marshal Montgomery.

During the war the Banks family had moved to Folkestone and when he was demobbed in 1946, like so many other ex-dispatch riders, Monty took he up racing on road and grass.

He was sponsored by Folkestone dealer Jock Hitchcock who provided a Triumph machine – the same machine doubling for use on the road and grass.

Monty married Joan, who survives him, in 1948 and their honeymoon consisted of a visit to Wimbledon Speedway on the Triumph!

When their eldest son Graham was born in 1950 a sidecar was attached to the road machine (now an AJS) but, on arrival at a meeting, the sidecar was removed for racing.

During the early 1950s Monty modified his bikes for stunt- riding and often also involved his faithful dog Duke at carnivals, and fairs - and particularly during the Queen's Coronation Celebrations in 1953.

From 1951 he managed the Dover Motorcycle Mart until in 1957 he started his own garage business in Deal where he worked on motorcycles for 50 years.

In 1948 Monty had met Tom Smith, who was to become his lifelong friend and mechanic and assisted with the building of the famous B & S (Banks & Smith) Specials that were to take not only Monty but also Graham and younger son Trevor to so many memorable wins.

My own early recollections are circa 1957 at Wrinsted Court Doddington, home of the famous Silver Helmet.

In the smaller classes (200 & 250cc) two-stoke machines received a start and Monty had a 197 Villiers motor in his B & S and therefore was let off first.

More often than not the other competitors didn't see him for dust!

Though he never won a national championship Monty collected many trophies and was a regular for the very strong South East team at the Inter Centre Championships, a considerable honour.

He also raced successfully abroad, making several trips behind the Iron Curtain to the famous Teterow venue in East Germany.

It was after he received serious injuries in 1968 at another continental meeting in Ludwigslust, that Monty decided it was time to hang up his leathers at the age of 47 and become mechanic to Graham and Trevor.

But tragedy struck the family in 1978 when Canterbury and Wimbledon rider Graham was killed while competing in a Grass Track meeting at Scott's Marsh Farm, on Romney Marsh.

Graham and Monty had been developing their own four-valve JAP and despite, that horrendous setback, the following year younger son Trevor used that bike to win the first of two 500cc British Grass Track Championships.

Trevor went on to become a top performer throughout Europe on grass and long tracks as well as a good speedway rider for Canterbury, Crayford and Milton Keynes until his own career also ended with a serious accident at Teterow - eerily on June 4, 2006, the anniversary of his brother's death.

Monty was known by his blue overalls and always referred to on the continental circuits as Papa Banks.

He was without doubt a brilliant motorcycle engineer and tuner who could more than hold his own against the more famous continentals.

Graham and Trevor's bikes were always among the quickest and indeed Trevor still holds the track record at Teterow on a motor tuned by his dad.

Like any top competitor Monty took his racing seriously but he was always approachable, willingly gave advice and had a wonderful sense of humour.

He was the President of Astra GTC.

In addition to widow Joan and son Trevor, Monty leaves behind two daughters Christine and Denise, eight grandchildren and one great grandson.

We are sure all Grass and Speedway fans extend their deepest sympathy to the family at this tragic time.

To use the old saying 'They don't make them like him anymore' - so true in this case.

A service in memory of Monty will be held at St Johns Church, Folkestone, today, Thursday, July 2 at 12.30pm followed by a short service at Hawkinge Crematorium at 2pm.

All friends are welcome at both services.

Family flowers only please but donations would be appreciated to The Hospice at Home Service through Hambrook & Johns, Funeral Directors, Folkestone or via the family.