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Australia

Born in Bowden, an outer suburb of Adelaide to Frederick John and Elizabeth Lucy Bannister on the 21st January 1918, Clarence was affectionately called Clarrie for most of his life, but with a smaller group was nicknamed ‘Waddy’. He was one of nine children with three older brothers, George Frederick, Clifford John and Frederick Harold plus four younger brothers Raymond, John Henry, Gordon and Norman plus a young sister, Emily Elizabeth.

Clarrie was just 15 when his father, Frederick died aged just 45 on the 9th October, 33. The family had been living in Ovingham but later moved to live in North Adelaide. Clarrie gained employment as a cabinet maker but still found time to party. The high-spirited Clarrie, his younger brother Raymond and friend Alf Capper from Ovington had a celebratory Saturday night out together in October ‘40. Unfortunately, this resulted in a Court appearance where they were found guilty of offensive behaviour in Archer street, North Adelaide. Both brothers were each fined 15/- with 7/6 costs. Alf incurred additional costs for using ‘Insulting words’ to Constable Golding. The young men’s friendship remained intact, such that, with the outbreak of WWII all three enlisted, Ray as SX10598 in December ’40, Alf in January ‘41 as SX10848 and Clarrie on the 18th March ’41 as SX11792. 22-year-old Clarrie had been serving with the Militia as S26298 from the 3rd August ’40, but gained a discharge enabling him to enlist. All three were allocated to the 2/48th Battalion. Alf Capper’s older brother, Ron enlisted in June that year but was placed in the 2/7th Battalion.

Clarrie and his brother, Ray left Australia on the ‘Ile De France’ in April, heading for the Middle East, arriving on the 15th May ’41. The dust, flies, heat, minimal water supplies and constant bombardment were quite a challenge to these fresh new enlistees. Clarrie’s early days were spent in a Staging Camp, but by January the following year, he began exhibiting behaviour that contravened army expectations and that would continue throughout his service. For his first offence, he was fined five day’s pay.

A fellow soldier in the 2/48th who had become a close friend to Clarrie, was Prime William WILLMOTT SX8183, also a young man. Aged 22 Prime was killed in action in Egypt, on the 15th July 1942 two years after he enlisted. In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John Glenn describes that day which was marked by a fierce battle where 15 German transports had been destroyed but an intense fight followed with a number of Germans killed before 32 surrendered. “Away to the left the sharp crack of small arms fire was heard; C Company was engaged. Two camouflaged trucks had broken off from the A Company attack and come to a halt out from C Company. A strong patrol under Lieutenant J.J. Wilson was ordered to investigate and were moving in close when an enemy machine-gun opened up on them. Lieutenant Jack Wilson and Sergeant Prime Willmott who were well in the lead, were killed.”

Fellow solders buried 27-year-old Lieutenant John Wilson SX10269 and Prime in the field, marking their graves with a simple cross embedded in a mound of white rocks.

That same month, Clarrie learned that his young brother, Ray was missing in action, believed to have been taken as a Prisoner of War. It was a distressing time when this was confirmed. Clarrie and his battalion left the Middle East and return to Australia via Melbourne. On his arrival back in Adelaide ‘43 he married Shirley Gwenda Millard of Parkside on March 1st ’43 whilst he was home on leave. They were later to welcome a daughter, Wendy.
A succession of health issues followed with scabies, an Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) and back problems resulted in Clarry having several bouts of hospitalisation. These were also accompanied by sessions of again being absent without leave with the inevitable loss of pay.

Training in Queensland followed, as the Battalion prepared to face an entirely different enemy in the tropical conditions of New Guinea. Clarrie left Cairns, arriving in New Guinea in August ’43. About a week later he was diagnosed with fibrosis but had only a short stay in hospital. More ill health followed including an exceptionally high fever (PUO) and several bouts of malaria. He was adjudged as being medically fit to carry out ‘certain duties for which the particular disability is not a bar’ which was vague enough for him to continue being involved in the defence of New Guinea. By the time a further recurrence of malaria was diagnosed in February ’44, Clarrie was able to leave Port Moresby to return to Brisbane before being diagnosed with a lower back illness which was causing chronic back pain. This meant that he was unfit to carry heavy loads, march or be in a front-line capacity. Clarrie’s reaction was to again go AWOL in January ’45 and be fined two day’s pay. This also coincided with Ray returning to Australia as an ex-POW and being formally discharged. Clarrie was finally and inevitably assessed as being medically unfit in March. His back issues again flared later that year before he was discharged on the 7th of November.

Despite enjoying life and his own return from war, Clarrie continued to remember John Wilson and Prime Willmott whose lives were cut short.
Advertiser Thursday 15 July 1943, WILSON.—In memory of my Pal Lieut. Jack, 2nd AXP., lost his life on July 15. 1942. He died as he lived, everybody's friend.—inserted by Clarrie Bannister, AIF. (ret.)
Advertiser Saturday 14 July 1945, WILSON—WILLMOTT._in memory of Jack and Prime, killed In action, Jul; 15, 1942. Only those who knew then realise the greatness of their sacrifice.— Always remembered by their pal Clarrie Bannister 2nd 48th A.I.F.
Advertiser Monday 15 July 1946, WILSON. —In loving memory of my friend Jack who gave his life on July 15, 1942. —Ever remembered by Clarrie.
Advertiser Tuesday 15 July 1947, WILSON.—In memory of my pay Jack, killed in action July 15, 1942, at El Alamein.—Ever remembered by Clarrie Bannister.
Advertiser Thursday 15 July 1948, WILSON. —In memory of my pal Jack, killed in action July 15 1942. —Ever remembered by Clarrie. 2nd/ 48th Battalion.

Attending a 2/48th Battalion reunion in ‘47, Clarrie celebrated excessively, to the point that on his homeward tram trip he entered into a dispute with the conductor about his fare. An argument followed resulting in Clarrie hitting out at the conductor and breaking his nose. The tram was stopped during the fray. Clarrie was fined £2 with 10/ costs and ordered to pay £40 compensation for medical treatment and working time lost by the conductor. Clarrie’s lawyer argued that the fine paid over four weeks of £10 would severely impact on the family, forcing them to live on an income below the basic wage for two years. This was considered, as was Clarrie’s ‘splendid war record and that he rarely touched liquor’.

Aged 56, Clarrie died on the 7th March, 74. A plaque commemorating his service is in the Centennial Park Cemetery, Derrick Gardens Path 28 Plot 329B. Aged 62, Shirley died on the 2nd June ’85 and also rests at Centennial Park.

Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion