Bannister, Bernard Maurice
- Date of death:
- January 18th, 1980
- Service number:
- 561981 (NCO)/43471 (Officer)
- Nationality:
- British
Biography
During the war Bernard Bannister piloted and navigated on Saron Londons, Catalina's and then moves on training aircrew to fly Sunderlands. His flying covers the period from 1934 until 1957 during which he amassed 2468.35 hrs.
Promotions:
1 April, 1940: Pilot Officer on Probation
1 April, 1941: Flying Officer (war sub)
1 April, 1942: Flight Lieutenant (war sub)
1 September, 1945: appointment to commission as Flight Lieutenant (permanent)
1 August, 1947: Squadron Leader
26 August, 1953: transfer from General Duties Branch to the Technical Branch
4 April, 1960: retirement
Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!
Mentioned in Dispatches
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Sergeant
- Awarded on:
- February 20th, 1940
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Rank:
- Flight Sergeant
- Unit:
- No. 201 Squadron, Royal Air Force
- Awarded on:
- April 16th, 1940
"Has served in the squadron for four years and his record up to the outbreak of war has been consistently good. Since the war he has confirmed the high opinion expressed by his commanding officers in both ability and example to all ranks. As a pilot and navigator, he represents the highest standard aimed at by all captains, and all his duties are carried out with great skill. An exceptional pilot who has frequently been recommended for a commission. Since the war began Flight Sergeant Bannister has flown no fewer than 44 operational patrols, amounting to the great total of 199 hours war flying." (C.H.Cahill, Wing Commander, O.C. No. 201 Squadron R.A.F.
Remarks by Air Officer Commanding:
"Since last recommended on the 3rd January 1940, Flight Sergeant Bannister has continued his exemplary service in the air on operational patrols, and there is little to be added to my previous remarks."
Official Citation:
"This N.C.O. pilot is outstanding as a flying boat captain. Courageous and determined, he faces war risks with a calm assurance which is an invaluable example to his comrades in arms. Unflinching in the face of danger he has carried out the arduous and perilous task of long sea reconnaissances for many months obtaining reports of great value. Very strongly recommended for the award of Distinguished Flying Medal." Charles Breese, A.V.M. Commanding No. 18 Group.
Additionally annotated "Very strongly recommended". F.W. Bowhill, A.C.M.
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
- Period:
- Second World War (1939-1945)
Sources
- - The London Gazette Publication date:20 February 1940 Supplement:34795Page:1056
- The London Gazette Publication date:16 April 1940 Issue:34831Page:2246
- The London Gazette Publication date:4 June 1940 Issue:34864Page:3353
- The London Gazette Publication date:18 April 1941 Issue:35139Page:2213
- The London Gazette Publication date:26 May 1942 Issue:35575Page:2292
- The London Gazette Publication date:3 May 1946 Supplement:37556Page:2169
- The London Gazette Publication date:1 August 1947 Supplement:38035Page:3661
- The London Gazette Publication date:25 September 1953 Supplement:39972Page:5168
- The London Gazette Publication date:1 April 1960 Supplement:42000Page:2462
- Wellington Auctions
- http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com
Photo
Looking for reliable information or news facts about WW2? Do you want to create your own battlefield tour to sights of wars from the past? Or are you interested in war medals and their recipients? TracesOfWar.com tells you more!
More information
© STIWOT, 1999-2024. All rights reserved. Privacy statement, cookies, disclaimer and copyright