The Sunderland hero who fled from Japanese soldiers in a 300-mile sea journey
He sailed almost 300 miles on open seas before reaching Sumatra
A Sunderland war hero was awarded one of America’s highest honours after his daring escape from a siege which made worldwide headlines.
Major Alfred Bannister, who was born in Sunderland in 1911, was one of more than 140,00 people who faced capture when Singapore fell to Japanese troops in 1942.
But he and two other people managed to find a boat and sailed almost 300 miles on open seas before they reached Sumatra. The three then walked over land to India to safety.
Major Bannister’s efforts led to him winning the Bronze Star which is America’s highest honour. The story made headlines in numerous newspapers and has been renewed by Sunderland historian Keith Gregson.
Keith said: “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.”
His is the latest to be profiled by Keith in the run-up to Remembrance Day.
Others have included;
Joseph Robert Kayll whose Forces achievements were nothing short of remarkable.
Harold Ashton Milburn who had not even reached his 20th birthday when he killed in 1942.
And Captain John Browning Deas who was only 25 years old when he was killed in action in May 1940.