Beverley Loxton Bennett
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown |
| Place of Birth | Victoria |
| Death | 8 Aug 1918 |
| Place of Death | No 12 General Hospital, Rouen, France |
| Age at Enlistment | 18 years old |
| Description | 5' 8" (1.73m) tall; weight 150 lbs (68 kg); fresh complexion, brown eyes, black hair |
| Occupation | orcharist |
| Religion | Methodist |
| Address | 'Ventura', Bedfrdale, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Father Mr Beverley Mansley Bennett |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 2671 |
| Date of Enlistment | 19 Sep 1916 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit/Formation | 44th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement / 11th Brigade, 4th Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 9 Nov 1916 - 10 Jan 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A8 Argyllshire |
| Fate |
Wounded in Action 4 Aug 1918 at Hamel Died of those Wounds 8 Aug 1918 |
| Monument | Armadale (Bedfordale panel) & Bedfordale Honour Board |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
War Service
Entered Blackboy Hill camp on 2 Oct 1916 and a week later was allotted to the 23rd reinforcement draft for the 16th Battalion. Another week later he was reallocated to the 6th draft for the 44th Battalion, and finally to the 5th draft for the 44th Battalion on 2 Nov 1916.
On arrival in England he entered the 11th Training Battalion at Durrington. Before travelling to France via Southampton from Sutton Mandeville in Nov 1917, he spent 29 days over several stays in Bulford Hospital with Venereal Disease. Beverley was taken on strength by the 44th Battalion on 29 Nov 1917.
Prior to the battle at Hamel, the 44th Battalion was joined on 1 Jul by troops from B Company of the "I" Battalion, 131st US Infantry, and on the next day Australian PM [Billy Hughes] addressed them. The US troops were withdrawn on July 3rd and so the battalion reserves (including Bennett) were called up to take their place.
On 4 Jul 1918 he received wounds to his neck and left leg during the famous attack on Hamel. He received treatment by the 4th Australian Field Ambulance and he passed through the 47th Casualty Clearing Station before being admitted to hospital. His Red Cross file states that he was admitted to No 12 General Hospital Rouen on 5 Jul 1918 with a Gun Shot Wound to the chest. Next entry by the Officer Commanding the hospital states GSW to neck and right leg.
He died 6:45pm 8 Aug 1918 and was buried 10 Aug 1918 in Cimetiere de Saint Sever, Rouen Plot Q IV, Row D, Grave No 11. Son of Beverley Mansey Bennett and Ruth Bennett of "Ventura", Bedfordale, Western Australia.
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