Private James Bannister
24219 1st East Lancashire Regiment
Died of Wounds 15th March 1918, aged 23
Lived at 22 Cuerden Street
Buried in Achiet le Grand Cemetery Extension, France Commemorated on St Peters Memorial, Burnley
Burnley Express 30th March 1918

James Bannister was born in Burnley the son of James and Mary Ann Bannister of 19 Cuerden Street. He enlisted in Burnley as Private 24219 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment and died of wounds on 15th March 1918. He is buried in Achiet-le-Grand (France) Communal Cemetery Extension grave IIH. F. 18.

“His Thoughts For Mother. Burnley Hero’s Death From Wounds" (Burnley Express 30/3/1918)

Mrs Bannister of 22 Cuerden Street, Burnley, had four sons in the army, and this week she has heard that one has made the supreme sacrifice. This was Pte.James Bannister (242190 of the East Lancashire Regt. and he was wounded on the 13th inst., and died two days later from wounds in the hand, back, and arm. The shrapnel which entered his back caught his spine and paralysis set in.
Besides letters from the hospital nurse, Mrs Bannister received the following message from Pte. Jas. Robinson who lived at Colne:- it is with heartfelt sympathy that I am compelled to inform you that your son, James, who was wounded a few days ago, has passed away in hospital. I don’t think he suffered much from pain, although he was conscious most of the time before he was taken away by our stretcher-bearers to the hospital. His thoughts were all about his mother, and he kept repeating: “My poor mother; God help my poor mother.” Just before he was taken away he offered up a prayer, and as they carried him down the lines he kept asking the stretcher-bearers to see if the other men who were at the same post were all right, as he felt sure he was the only one left. There were six men, one lance-corporal and one officer on that post, and one had just gone into the next trench when the shell dropped. Two men, the lance-corporal and the officer were killed outright. James and the others were wounded. James received every attention and was taken to hospital with every speed. His death has been a great shock to me. I was his best pal, and the other men also feel his death very much. We all send you our heartfelt sympathy. He was very much thought of by all the boys in the company. He always did his share of work willingly, and without a murmur. He was one of the best lads, good and always cheerful, even during the most extreme hardships. He attended church whenever it was possible. He was liked by everyone and we feel his loss very much.”
The unfortunate soldier, who was formerly a weaver, was working for Messrs. Morris and Wilkinson, tinsmith, at the time he joined the army in February 1916. He went to France in the following June, and with the exception of one furlough had been there ever since. He was a regular attended at St Peter’s Church. Two brothers, Ernest and Willie are also in France, and another, Harry, is in Egypt. Two brothers in law are also serving.”

The Burnley News added;- “He was a regular attender at St. Peter’s Church and Sunday , School and was well known and highly respected by a large circle of friends”.

Notes.

James Bannister was christened at St Peter’s Church on 9/4/1894. His parents were James and Mary Ann Bannister of 19 Cuerden Street. His father’s occupation was listed as egg merchant. .
James Bannister was admitted to St Peter’s Infant School on 14/3/1898. He was born on 23/3/94 and his father was James Bannister of 19 Cuerden Street. James was admitted to St Peter’s School on 4/8/1902 and left on 22/03/07 for fulltime work.

November 2001 James Bannister – Sergt. - a white cross in memory placed for Remembrance Sunday outside the Thompson Centre. .

Cuerden Street is now the site of Halfords and Iceland etc. off Active Way.

1901 Census - 19 Cuerden Street – James Bannister (45) yeast dealer, Mary (45), Henry (20) carter, Maud (17 ) milliner, May (11), Willie (9) James (7) Arthur (3) all born in Burnley.