Thomas Colin BANNISTER

Thomas Colin BANNISTER Update Details

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BANNISTER, Thomas Colin

Service Number:	235083
Enlisted:	Not yet discovered
Last Rank:	Major
Last Unit:	HQ Australian Force Vietnam
Born:	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 16 June 1932
Home Town:	Not yet discovered
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Not yet discovered
Died:	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 17 November 2016, aged 84 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery:	Not yet discovered
Memorials:	Canungra Australian Army Training Team Vietnam Roll of Honour

Vietnam War Service

12 May 1964:	Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Major, 235083, Australian Army Training Team Vietnam (AATTV)
2 Sep 1969:	Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Major, 235083, HQ 1st Australian Task Force, Vietnam
16 Mar 1970:	Involvement Australian Army (Post WW2), Major, 235083, HQ Australian Force Vietnam

Help us honour Thomas Colin Bannister's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Kathryn Leech

Colin Bannister was born in Sydney on 16 June 1932 and lived in Cremorne until he started his career in the Army. He graduated from RMC Duntroon as an infantry officer. He served in the Regular Army from 1950 to 1974 and held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Colin's deployments included serving with 3RAR in Malaya from 1957 to 1959 as a platoon commander and company 2IC. Also two tours of Vietnam in 1964-65 as an advisor for the Australian Army Training Team. And in 1969 as GS02 (Ops) HQ of 1st Autralian Task Force and the Australian Force Vietnam.

AWARDS: He was awarded the Vietnamese Medal of Honour. In 2003 he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his many years of community service, in particular with his work with the Royal Humane Society of Australasia.

MELBOURNE LEGACY: Colin joined Melbourne Legacy in 1976 to help families of deceased veterans. He served as President in 1985. He was an active member for 40 years, right up until his death in 2016 and much loved regular at Legacy Luncheons.

Colin also wrote two books; one on Malaya and one on the history of the Royal Humane Society.

Was an avid sports fan, he enjoyed playing golf, cricket, rugby and rowing and swimming. Married in 1956 and had 2 children.

SOURCE: Melbourne Legacy archives.

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