Story:
Walter Sam Bennett was born in 1885 in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He was the son of Thomas Bennett, a Game Keeper, and Annie Bennett (née Witt). His siblings included Bertie Harold, Reginald George and Thomas William, born in 1889, 1897, 1894, respectively, who all died in the war.

In 1891 the family was living at Philps Cottage, Five Ways, Donhead St. Mary and by 1901 had moved to Ashcombe, Tollard Royal,Wiltshire. Walter was working as a Gardener. In 1916 he married Ethel Flora Bennett in the Medway. Kent registration district. They lived in Farnham, Dorset, later moving to various addresses in London.

Walter enlisted in Bromley, Kent, as a Private in the 6th Battalion of the Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) (Service No. G/10457). He served in France & Flanders and was awarded the Victory and British War medals. While attached to 'C' Company he was killed in action in Flanders, on 3rd July 1916, just a few weeks after his marriage. He was buried at Ovillers Military Cemetery, Somme, France (grave id. VII.D.9).

His widow Ethel remarried in 1920, to George Casbolt and they lived in Poplar, London. 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.

Walter is remembered on the memorial plaque inside the church at Berwick St. John. He is also remembered in Tollard Royal as "T.W. Bennett" on the War Memorial and on the Roll of Honour inside the Church of St. Peter and Vincula in the village.