Bertie Harold (Harry) Bennett

Story:
Bertie Harold (Harry) Bennett was born in 1884 in Donhead St. Mary. He was the son of Thomas Bennett, a Game Keeper, and Annie Bennett (née Witt). His siblings included Reginald George, Thomas William and Walter Sam, born in 1897, 1894, 1885, respectively, who all died in the war. In 1891 the family were living at Philps Cottage, Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary. In 1910 Harry married Mabel Mary Gray. They had two children, both boys. At the time of the 1911 Census, he was working as a Game Keeper and living at Ashcombe, Tollard Royal, Wiltshire.

Harry enlisted in Andover, Hampshire, as a Private in the 14th (Service) Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment (Service No. 32568). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. He was killed in action in Flanders on 26th Sep 1917 and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial (Panel 88 to 90 and 162).

He is remembered as "Harry" on the memorial plaque inside the church at Berwick St. John. The name "B.H. Bennett" is also marked in Tollard Royal, on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula. On both he is recorded as "Missing" on 6th September 1917, and official records show that he died on 26th September. Of the five Bennett brothers only one survived the war. Frederick Harry (b.1889) served in the Somerset Light Infantry and the Devonshire Regiment during the war. He had a successful career as a gamekeeper and died in 1968.