John was the fourth son of the late John Bannister and had a grocery and off-licence business in Accrington Road. He married Miss Pomfret, daughter of the late Mr. Pomfret who was a butcher on Accrington Road. He left a widow two daughters and one son.

He was a Conservative Councillor representing the Gannow Ward elected in November 1911 and became Chairman of the Markets Committee, previous to this he had served on the Town Hall, Baths, Cemetery, Electricity and Gas committees. He enlisted in the Expeditionary Force Canteens, Army Service Corps in 1916 and left England for the Eastern Zone of operations in July of that year. He was admitted to Alexandia Hospital suffering from Typhus and subsequently died, the Mayor of Burnley was personally informed of his death by telegram and the town hall flag was flown at half mast.

BURNLEY COUNCILLOR
DEATH OF SERGEANT JOHN BANNISTER
Victim of Typhus at Alexandria (Burnley News 27/6/1917)

Burnley has lost a good citizen by the death of Councillor John Bannister. The news, which came by wire on Monday night to the Mayor, was despatched from Alexandria at 1 p.m. it briefly stated that Sergt. Bannister was dead, and added “Please convey deepest sympathy of our staff here to family.”
As we stated on Saturday, a telegraphic message in the early part of last week announced that the soldier-councillor was dangerously ill. It later transpired that he was suffering from that dread malady, typhus. A message from Alexandria on Friday stated that he was in a dangerous condition, but was holding his own.
Councillor Bannister enlisted in the Expeditionary Force Canteens, A.S.C., last year. On Burnley Fair Monday he left England for the Eastern zone of operations. When the fact that he had joined the Colours was announced at a Council meeting it was met with a chorus of approval. During his connection with the Army he proved himself an efficient soldier, just as previously he had demonstrated efficiency as a townsman. His death at the early age of 39 will be deeply regretted.
Councillor Bannister was a Conservative, and in that interest he represented Gannow Ward. He was elected in November, 1911, in a three-cornered fight, the figures being :- John Bannister C, 695: J.H. Howarth L, 418; L Rippon Soc., 588. He has represented the ward ever since, there having been no contenders since the outbreak of war. He was a useful type of Councillor, and won the respect of his colleagues. On the resignation of Alderman Hough, he became Chairman of the Markets Committee. Latterly he also served on the Town Hall. Baths and Cemetery, the Electricity, and the Gas Sub-Committees, and also, of course, on the General Purposes Committee, which comprised of the entire Council.
He was the fourth son of the late Mr. John Bannister, Accrington-road. In business he was a grocer and off-licence holder in Accrington-road. He was a member of the Off Licence Holders Association and of the Junior Unionist Association. He was connected with Holy Trinity Church. His youngest brother, Sapper William Bannister is serving with the Royal Engineers. Councillor Bannister married Miss Pomfret, daughter of the late Mr. Pomfret, butcher, Padiham-road. He leaves a widow, two daughters, and one son. One of the daughters recently obtained a scholarship to the Burnley High School, coming out third in the examination.
Yesterday the flag at the Town Hall was floated half mast.