20 BACK ROW FINISHER Alfred Bannister Bronze Star ( U.S.A) – ANOTHER GREAT ESCAPE

Major Alfred Bannister was born in Sunderland in 1911. He played in the back row in the club’s County Cup winning side of 1931 and had at least one county trial. In 1939 he was living with his parents in Seaburn and working with his father as a watchmaker/jeweller. He joined the Royal Artillery in 1939 and was promoted to captain in 1942 while in Malaya. Like many Wearsiders, he was captured during the fall of Singapore to the Japanese. However, he managed to escape with two others and sailed 200 to 300 miles in an open boat to Sumatra and thence across land and by boat to India. His adventures were covered by a number of newspapers in April 1942 – mainly  due to a letter he had sent to his parents detailing his adventures.  He rose to the rank of major and was awarded a Bronze Star (U.S.A)  for his contribution to the war effort.  His date and place of death are uncertain.

Google his name and ‘bronze star’ for further details.