S/Ldr A. J. Banham was educated at Perse School, Cambridge.

Arthur entered the RAF as a candidate for a short service commission and began his training at 7 E&RFTS, Desford on 25th November 1935.
He was posted to 11 FTS, Wittering on 22nd February 1936, and after completing his training joined 19 Squadron at Duxford on 24th August.

Arthur was promoted to Acting Flight Lieutenant when he was moved to 611 Squadron, also at Duxford, on 25th September 1939.

He was posted to 12 Group Fighter Pool, Aston Down on 18th January 1940, and later went to 5 OTU as an instructor.

In June 1940, Arthur joined 264 Squadron at Duxford, as Flight Commander. He was with 264 Squadron flying Defiants during the early part of the Battle of Britain.
Arthur was shot down with Sgt. Barrie Baker on 26th August 1940 two miles off Herne Bay at 12:30hrs. They had destroyed a Do 17 over Thanet when they were attacked by two Bf 109s. Their Defiant I (L6985) crashed into the sea. Arthur was rescued from the sea but Sgt Baker was not so lucky - he perished in the crash.

Arthur was promoted to Squadron Leader on 6th September 1940 and took over command of 229 Squadron the following day.
On 15th October 1940, Arthur Banham was shot down in flames by a Bf 109 over Kent at 10:00hrs. He baled out of his Hurricane I (P3124) wounded with burns. His aircraft crashed onto buildings at South Street Farm, Stockbury, Kent.

Arthur underwent plastic surgery by Archie McIndoe at the Queen Victoria Cottage Hospital, East Grinstead, becoming forever a guinea pig.

Arthur was posted to Air Ministry in January 1941 and apart from three months spent at Staff College in early 1942 he remained there until April 1943, when he was posted to Cranwell for a flying refresher course.

Arthur attended short courses at Grantham and 51 OTU at Cranfield, after which he joined 604 Squadron at Scorton as a supernmerary Squadron Leader.

On 22nd December 1943, Arthur was posted to Malta to command 108 Squadron.

On 19th July 1944, Arthur took command of 286 Wing at Grottaglie, serving at No.1 Base Area, Naples.
Arthur took command of 287 Wing, Ancona for two months from 13th October to 13th December, and then returned to Britain.

Arthur was released from the RAF in July 1945.

Arthur Banham passed away in 1987.