Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From How We Served

2617 Sergeant Roy Prescott Bannister of Rose Park, South Australia had been employed as a stationmaster and clerk with the South Australian Railways when he enlisted for War Service on the 22nd of December 1917.

Allocated to reinforcements for the Railway Unit 1st AIF. Roy was embarked for England and further training on the 28th of February 1918 and was disembarked on arrival on the 20th of April. By the 13th of June Roy had arrived in France to join the 4th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company in the field and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

Sent away from his Unit on the 24th of August to undertake an NCO’s School of Instruction Roy rejoined after its completion on the 23rd of September and remained on duty ntil the War's end. Following the announcement of the Armistice, Roy left France for leave in England on the 2nd of March 1919, and just following the end of this on the 16th of March, Roy had contracted influenza and was placed into hospitalisation whist still in England on the 19th. Roy would remain in hospital until discharged on the 22nd of April, and after which he was detached from his Unit for duty with AIF Head Quarters (London).

Placed on the Canteen Staff of an outgoing transport ship, Roy departed England bound for Australia at the start of March 1920. Following his return to Adelaide, Roy was officially discharged from the 1st AIF on the 10th of April 1920, and once retuned to civilian life, he again returned to the South Australian Railways.

Roy’s untimely death at the age of 44 occurred on the 5th of May 1939, and after which he was formally laid to rest within West Terrace Cemetery, South Australia.

Son of Joseph Mark BANNISTER and Fanny nee PRESCOTT

Husband of Kathleen Margaret BANNISTER nee McGUIRE