William James BANNAN [305]

  General Notes:

Benignant (Bendigo) Thursday 12 October 1916 page 9
AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCES. THE CASUALTY LISTS. The list of casualties since last Thursday included : BENDIGO AND NORTHERN DISTRICT MEN. KILLED IN ACTION. Sgt R. J. McKENNA, Donald, 19/7/16. Ptc. T. M. BROWN, California Gully, 26/8/16.. Pte.' E. C. WHITELEY, Maryborough 26/8/'16. . Pte N. L. RODGERS,-Donald,' 6/8/16. Pte. F. J RYAN, Heathcote; 26/8/16. Pte. J. :P . McCORMACK, Bendigo, 26/8/,16. Pte. :C. BECKWITH, Undera, 22/8/16. Pte. :L C. INGLEFINGER, .Long Gully, 27 /8/l6.. Sgt J C. KERR,. Shepparton, ~5/8/16. Sgt:- T. MURPHY, Yandoit, .25?8/16.. A Cpl. W. J. BANNAN, Kerang,. 24/8/16. Pte. A. W. FROHLICK. Stuart Mill, 25/8/1.

On the September - October 1915 William was at Gallipoli. In early 1916 he was at Alexandria and at the end of March he disembarked at Marseilles.

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Wednesday 4 October 1916 Page 1
trove article/1624133
DIED ON SERVICE.
BANNAN.-Killed in action, on the 24th August, in France, Corporal William J. Bannan, dearly loved son of Denis and Mary Bannan, Fitzroy street, Kerang, loving brother of Cissie, Jack, late of Berwick (on active service), Mrs. J. Frawley, Frank (now missing), Mick, Kathleen, and Vin. R.I.P.
"Immaculate heart of Mary,
Your prayers for him extol;
Oh, sacred heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on his soul."
-(Inserted by his sorrowing parents, brothers, and sisters.)

In May 1936 the Bannan's received a letter advising that William J's remains had been exhumed North of Pozieres and reburied at the London Cemetery Extension, Longeuval France and a headstone was to be erected. At that time, his identity disc was found and that was how he was identified. They advised that the remains of Francis T had not been found at that time but his name would be inscribed in the National Memorial to the Missing to be erected at Villers Brettoneux, France. His personal effects were returned to Dennis and Mary in 1917.

William is buried at the London Cemetery and Extension, Longeuval, France. His rank was Corporal no 1783A. He was with the 24th Battalion AIF. Details:
From the War Graves Photographic project website - 24/08/16 Aged 19 2.C.27. Son of Dennis and Mary E. Bannan, of Victoria, Australia.

The Riverine Grazier (Hay, NSW : 1873 - 1954) Fri 27 Jul 1917 Page 2 Advertising
BANNAN. - In loving remembrance of Willie, second eldest son of Denis and Mary Bannan, of Kerang, killed in action, July 28th, 1916, at Pozieres, loving brother of Jack (on active, service) and Frank (missing), and loving: cousin of Kate McCutcheon (Vic.), Flora Ross, and Minnie Connor, of Hay.
'Duty nobly done.'
BANNAN - In loving memory of my nephew, Willie Bannan, age 22. years, killed in-action at Pozieres, on July 28th, 1916.- (Inserted by his aunt, Mrs Sarah McKinnon. ) ⁶⁸⁶

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Military: World War 1 serial number 1783, 1914-1918.