Private 48678 John Thomas Bannister

Photograph courtesy of John's grandson, Jack Bannister. Further picture at bottom of page.

Killed in Action on Friday, 27th September 1918, age 34.
Buried in Grave C. 2. at Queant Communal Cemetery British Extension, Pas De Calais, France.

2nd/7th Bn., The King's (Liverpool Regiment). 171st Brigade of 57th Division.
Formerly 51701 Notts & Derby Regiment.

Son of Mr and Mrs John Bannister, of 25c Walker Steeet, Tipton, Staffs. Husband of Mrs Elizabeth Bannister.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Derby, Resident: Tipton.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the Tipton Library, and St. Mark's memorials.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/316013/

Genealogical Data

Birth of John Thomas Bannister registered March qtr 1884 at West Bromwich.

John Bannister (22, Drayman, of Dale Street, Tipton, son of John Bannister, Drayman) married Elizabeth Rotton (18, Spinster, of Dale Street, Tipton, daughter of Thomas Rotton, Ironworker) at Tipton Parish Church on the 25th December, 1906.

1911 Census
15 Walker Street, Toll End, Tipton, Staffs.
John Thomas Bannister (27, Drayman, born West Bromwich), his wife Elizabeth (23, born West Bromwich), and their 2 children: John Thomas (3, born Tipton), and Elizabeth (1, born Tipton).

John and Elizabeth had 4 children: John Thomas (born September quarter 1907), Elizabeth (born June quarter 1910, died March quarter 1912), Sidney (born June quarter 1912) and Thomas (born December quarter 1914).

Personal Data

Before John Bannister enlisted he worked for Mr George Humphries at Cotterill's Farm, Toll End, Tipton. Humphries was a major Tipton milk producer, bottler and deliverer.

AfterJohn's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £14/2/6d (14 pounds, 2 shillings and 6 pence); this was paid to his widow, Elizabeth, in March 1919. His War Gratuity was £10/0/0d (10 pounds exactly), this was also paid to Elizabeth in December 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that John had enlisted in approximately June 1916.

Action resulting in his death

John Bannister enlisted with the Notts & Derbys but later was posted to the King's (Liverpool) Regiment, possibly after recovering from wounds. He was certainly with the 2/7th King's at the beginning of September as he received a Divisional Commendation for his actions on 1st September at Hendecourt, north east of Bapaume as his division were pushing towards Cambrai. On the 2nd September, his division attacked the heavily defended junction between the Hindenburg Line and the Drocourt-Queant Switch Line near the village of Queant, pushing the Germans into retreat.

The' Battle of the Canal du Nord' commenced on 27th September, and the 2/7th King's pushed forward from Queant through Moeuvres, crossing the Canal du Nord, and continued eastwards through Anneux to Fontaine-Notre-Dame. This advance of approximately 9 miles cost the lives of 34 men of the 2/7th King's, including John Bannister. He is buried in Queant Communal Cemetery British Extension.

Newspaper Cuttings

Tipton Herald October 26th 1918
Another Tipton Hero
In September of this year Private J. T. Bannister (2/7th King's Liverpool Regiment, TF) received the following card, signed by the Major-General commanding the 57th Division: "I have read with great pleasure the reports of your Commanding Officer and Brigade Commander, and congratulate you on your gallant conduct and devotion to duty on the 1st September 1918, at Hendecourt." And now he has given all in defence of his country. He leaves a wife and three children, who reside at 25c Walker Street, Toll End, Tipton.
Pte. Bannister was 34 years of age. He enlisted on June 6th 1916, and was killed on September 27th of the present year, the same day that he despatched to his wife the card of which the above is a copy. Before enlisting he had been employed by Mr Geo. Humphries for 15 years. He had been wounded twice, had suffered dysentery, and had been gassed. The deceased soldier was a son of Mr and Mrs John Bannister of Toll End, Tipton.