Francis Thomas BANNAN [124]

  General Notes:

The Argus Melbourne Friday 5 January 1917 page 8
MISSING SOLDIERS.
Mrs. Bannan. of Kerang, would be pleased if any returned soldier could give any information concerning her son, Private Frank T. Bannan, who has been missing since July 28. He was of the 23rd Battalion, B Company.

Advocate (Melbourne, Vic. : 1868 - 1954) Saturday 25 August 1917 Page 20
Killed In Action.
BANNAN: In loving memory of Francis Thomas, killed in action, France, on the, 28th July, 1916, also William James, killed August 24th, 1916, the dearly beloved sons of Mr. and Mrs Denis Bannan, of Kerang.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on their souls.Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for them.
Sadly missed.

In 1921 Francis's mother wrote to the War Office asking for his personal possessions to which the Army replied that whilst the belongings of his brother William J had been returned in 1917, in view of the time that has elapsed since Francis's demise, it was considered improbably that any other articles were recovered.

Francis Thomas Bannan is buried or possibly commemorated as his remains may not have been found, at the Villers Brettoneux Memorial Cemetery in France. He was a private number 1878 with the 23rd Bn. Australian Infantry AIF.
From the War Graves Photographic Project website - Details:
28th July 1916. Age 21. Son of Dennis and Mary Bannan of Kerang Victoria.

Francis 's service number was 1878. He enlisted in the 23rd Battalion on the 16 June 1915. His occupation was given as draper. ³⁵⁴

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Military: Wold War 1, serial number 1878, 1914-1918.