James Mallett Bennett AFM Bar (1894 - 1922)

Born 1894 in Prahran, Victoria (Australia)

Ancestors

Died 1922 at about age 28 in Weymouth, Surrey, England

Biography

Jim Bennett AFM Bar is Notable.

Jim Bennett AFM Bar was born in the Colony of Victoria (1851-1900)

Jim Bennett AFM Bar is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Jim enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force for service overseas during The Great War.^[2] He embarked on 6th March 1916 from Melbourne aboard HMAT Orsova A67.^[3] He served in the No.1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps.^[4] He was Mentioned in Despatches, gazetted in London 14th June 1918.^[5] He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) and Air Force Medal (AFM), both gazetted in London 3rd June 1919.^[6][7]

Jim was a crew member with the Smith brothers, Ross and Keith, in the winning Vickers in the 1919 England to Australia Air Race. His share of the Australian-government provided prize money, £2,500, would have then been quite handy. Jim, and the other mechanic, Wally Spiers, were awarded Bars to their Distinguished Flying Medals and granted commissions as Lieutenants. He was preparing to accompany the Smiths once more on a round-the-world flight attempt when the Vickers Vimy amhibian aeroplane they were testing crashed soon after take-off. Both Jim (aged 27 years) and Ross Smith (aged 29 years) were killed on impact. Keith Smith witnessed the accident.^[8]

His body was repatriated to Australia, where it was buried.