Banister W H Pte 2nd Middlesex Regiment
BANISTER, WILLIAM HODSON, Private, No. 57380, 2nd Battn. (77th Foot) The Duke of Cambridge’s (Middlesex Regt.), yr. s. of William Banister, of 2, Henry Road, Finsbury Park, N., by his wife, Fanny, dau. of Robert Harvey, of Finsbury Park, London, N.; b. 23 Feb. 1899; educ. at St. John’s College, Green Lanes, Finsbury Park, N., and Caterham Congregational School, co. Surrey, where he was school captain, also captain of the football and hockey team, and played in the First XI. in cricket; he attested under the Derby scheme, and was called up while he was at Caterham School 24 March, 1917, and placed in the 103rd Training Corps; he tried for a commission, but was rejected on account of slight deafness; was transferred to the 2nd Middlesex Regt., and served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 1 April, 1918; was taken prisoner during the fighting at Villers Bretonneux on the 24th of the same month, and died a prisoner of war at Morchingen Hospital, Alsace-Lorraine, 22 July, 1918, of cardiac weakness and pneumonia, Buried in the cemetery there. A comrade wrote: “He was one of the most cheerful of the prisoners, and had a smile for everyone. Among them he was called ‘Captain, because of his knowledge of German. as he was able to translate the men’s complaints to those in command,” and another comrade wrote of his high Christian character. His former Head Master wrote: “William was exceedingly popular with everyone at school, and his life was of the best. I valued him and his influence more than I can tell you. His very gentleness was an asset.”
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5