THE real story of Darwen's 16-year-old war hero Jack Banks has been revealed for the first time...thanks to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

We reported on the fight by veterans to have the memory of the brave teenager - who entered World War Two but never returned home - permanently remembered on a memorial in the town.

Since the story appeared we have been contacted by his younger sister who has fond memories of the young man, commended as "a shining example for today's youth".

Jack was one of five children - four boys and one girl - who were born in Radford Street, Darwen, to Jack and Fanny Banks.

He was the eldest child, born in 1928, followed by Harry who died when he was just a baby, Alan, George and sister Jean.

Jean was just eight-years-old when Jack was killed in combat.

Now 67 and living in Lytham St Annes, she said: "I don't remember much because I was very young, but I do remember that we used to go on walks across the moors all the time.

"Jack loved walking and I remember one time when I was too tired to walk back so he carried me on his shoulders."

Educated at Holy Trinity primary and Spring Bank secondary school, Jack had always wanted to join the army.

Jean, said: "He lied about his age and he joined the Home Guard at the age of 15.

"I remember he was a crack shot and he loved what he did.

"He won certificates for his shooting and he was better than a lot of men who were much older than him."

Jack left school at 14 years old and signed up two years later when he was two years younger than the legal subscription age.

Jack joined the 8th Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry as a private and was posted to Bayeux, where he was to die.

Jean said: "We had a letter saying Jack had been killed and I remember mum collapsed when she read it. Then a few days later another one came telling us that a mistake had been made and that he had just been injured.

"Mum and dad wrote to the padre after we received a third letter informing us that Jack had actually been killed."

Jack died after volunteering to face advancing German troops. He was hit in the thigh by mortar shells while returning to camp with his superior.

Jean said: "Apparently Jack said 'I've had it sir' to the sergeant and he told him not to be silly.

Medics were called but he had lost too much blood and he died in the ambulance.

"In a personal telegram the sergeant said that there couldn't be a braver soldier than Jack. He couldn't have been more of a man even though he was only 16.

"He said that he had never been more sorry to lose a comrade.

"I think Darwen should cherish the memory of Jack and all the others from the area who gave their lives in World War Two. I find it hard to believe that their names aren't honoured on a memorial in the town."