Born in Ballarat, Victoria and a grocer by trade, Owen Victor Bannister was 18 years and single when enlisted on the 19th of July 1915 in the Field Ambulance 10, Australian Imperial Force, with the rank of Private, Number 12243. Previous military service was at the 30th Australian Army Medical Corps. His Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A54 Runic on the 20th of June 1916 with the rank of Lance Corporal and Unit 10th Field Ambulance. He served in the 20th Basement Training Camp D. Company from the 13th of August 1915 to the 28th of September 1915 and transferred to Ballarat training Camp on the 28th of September 1915. After receiving training at the Ballarat Training Camp from the 28th of September 1915 to the 1st of February 1916 was transferred to Ascot Vale and later transferred to 10th Field Ambulance. Embarked at Sydney on transport 'Beltana' on the 13th of May 1916. On the 24th of November 1916 proceeded overseas France ex 'Southampton'. Appointed Lance Corporal in France on the 28th of October 1917. Admitted to hospital sick on the 4th of June 1918. On the 14th of April 1919 Lance Corporal was retransferred to 10th Field Ambulance being placed on boat roll for R.I.A. Marched out of England for return to Australia per 'Canberra' on the 13th of January 1919 and was listed as returned to Australia on the 23rd of July 1919.