Lt John E. Banton was the unofficial artist of the 15th Battalion whose pencil sketches depicted life at the Front and in the trenches. These period sketches are preserved in the archives of the 48th Highlanders Regimental museum and selected sketches are with the Trench Art display and in the Field Uniform display.
John Erwin Banton attested as a private into the 92nd Battalion (48th Highlanders) CEF on 14 Aug 1915. He rose to the rank of Sgt in the 92nd Battalion but was reduced in rank when he was sent in a reinforcement draft to the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders) , No. 1 Company, No. 4 Platoon, Bombing section. He was commissioned from the rank of Corporal in early 1918 and finished the war as a Lieutenant with the 15th Battalion.
His son Major D. Banton served with the 1st Bn 48th Highlanders during World War II as a Company commander.
