2nd in Command (2IC) 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders of Canada

OC A Company 1st Battalion, 48th Highlanders of Canada

Lt Donald Wakelyn Banton followed his father LCol Tom Banton (a veteran of the 15th Battalion into the 48th Highlanders of Canada in 1940. In 1942 he served as Adjutant of 1st Battalion 48th Highlanders in the UK.  When “D” Coy was formed on 29-Apr-43 he was appointed Officer Commanding (OC).  The company march played as they boarded the train for Scotland was “Donald’s Return from the Wars”.  Hr commanded “Dog” Company through Sicily to the end when it seized the length of the ridge at Regalbuto and then was appointed Battalion 2nd in Command (2iC).  He commanded the Battalion during the capture of Torella.  Later when LCol MacKenzie fell seriously ill with jaundice he commanded in the battles leading to the crossing of the LAMONE River until on the night of 9 December LCol MacKenzie was well enough to resume command. Early in 1945 there were rumours the 48th would soon leave Italy and Maj George Renison arrived from UK and became Bn 2iC at which time Maj Banton was attached to the 1 Canadian Division Training School and later to 1 Canadian Reinforcement Group under BGen Haldenby to prepare for the impending move to Northwest Europe.

After the War Maj Banton left the army and worked as an engineer in Ottawa.  His son Douglas was killed while serving with 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment during the Battle of Hill 187 during May 1953 in Korea.  Major Banton died in 1992.