William John Bennett

William John Bennett

Personal Information
Date of Birth	27 Aug 1886
Place of Birth	Mayfield, Sussex, England
Death	25 Sep 1979, aged 93
Place of Death	Perth, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	55 years, 10 months
Description	5'8½" (1.74m) tall ; 130lbs 58.967 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; light brown hair
Occupation	Orchardist
Religion	Church of England
Address	Roleystone, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Irene Evelyn Grace Bennett
Military Information
Reg Number	W47827
Date of Enlistment	8 Jul 1942
Rank	Private
Unit/Formation	2nd (Fremantle) VDC Battalion
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia
Medals	British War Medal Victory Medal

Pre WW1

The 1891 English Census has 4 year old John at home with parents Mark and Judy and 4 siblings. The 1901 Census lists 7 siblings in addition to John and his parents living at Snaggs Hall, Ewhurst, Sussex. When the 1911 English Census was taken, John was still living with his parents, along with two sisters. Nine other siblings were not at the address, two of whom had died pre census.

WW1 Service

Bennet William John served during WW1 with the 16th Battalion, enlisting on 25 Sep 1916 while living in Pingelly. He arrived in Devonport, England on 29 Apr 1917 aboard HMAT A28 Miltiades, and proceeded to France on 23 Jul 1917, joining up with the 16th Battalion on 12 Aug 1917. Thirteen days later he was admitted to hospital with a gun shot wound (GSW) to his shoulder, classified as severe having been wounded on 18 Aug 1917. He was evacuated to England aboard HMHS Brighton on 25 Aug 1917 and admitted to the Military Hospital in Edmonton. On 5 Nov 1917 he returned to Australia aboard HMAT A32 Themistocles and was discharged at Western Command on 20 Jun 1918. Bill was granted a pension of 60/- a fortnight ($3) from 21 Jun 1918.

Between the Wars

In 1922 Bill had married Irene Evelyn Grace Reed (1893 - 1963) in Perth. They had a trip to England in 1928 as they are recorded as leaving London aboard the SS Ormonde, arriving back in Fremantle on 30 Oct 1928. Irene died on 2 Feb 1963 in Kelmscott aged 69.

Electoral Roll entries: 1916 at Pingelly, 1918 at 18 Brisbane terrace, Perth, 1918 at Kelmscott, labourer; 1925 - 1937 at Kelmscott, labourer; 1943 at Roleystone, orchardist;

WW2 Service

Enlisted on 8 Jul 1942 in South Perth, while aged 55 years and 11 months. In July he was promoted to Corporal in 'D' Company, but on 1 Aug was able to revert to Private. On 1 May 1945 he was placed in Reserve until he was formally taken of strength on 15 Oct 1945.

Post WW2

Electoral Roll entries: 1949 at Roleystone, orchardist; 1954 - 1972 at 60 First (Banyard) avenue, Kelmscott, carpenter;

Notes

Description is that shown on his WW 1 attestation form.