Francis Reginald Bennett (1891 - 1917)

Born 9 Jan 1891 in York, Western Australia, Australia

Died 9 Oct 1917 at age 26 in Ieper, West Flanders, Belgium

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Biography

Francis was born 9 Jan 1891 in York, Western Australia. He was the eldest child of Frank and Nellie Bennett. In 1898, when Francis was only seven-years old, his father, who was headmaster of a boys school, drowned in what was either an accident or a suicide.

The following year, Francis' mother married Alexander Gillespie, the man who had replaced her husband as headmaster. It appears for a few years thereafter, Francis may have assumed his stepfather's surname, but that is unclear. By the time he reached adulthood, however, he had clearly gone back to using his birth name.

As a young man, Francis lived in Melborn. (? Melbourne, Vic) Then, in 1914, with the outbreak of World War I, he moved to Sydney where, on 18 Oct, 1915, he enlisted in the 19th Batallion of the A.I.F. A stellar student and natural-born leader, Francis quickly made his way into the officers ranks. He was first made a Sergeant, then a 2nd Lieutenant. Finally, on 26 Sep 1917 he was made a First Lieutenant. Tragically, just two week later, he was killed in action near Passchendael, Belgium when a piece of shell tore through his left lung and penetrated his heart. He was buried alongside a sunken road about 1/2 mile outside of Zonnebeka.

Sources

• West Aust birth registration - Bennett Francis Reginald, parents Francis & Walker Nellie Mary Louise, York, #191/1891
• Australian Imperial Force, Base Records Office; B2455, First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, BENNETT Francis Reginald : SERN LIEUT 5305 National Archives Australia: 3072708 Item image
• Roll of Honour. (Australian War Memorial, http://www.awm.gov.au : accessed 25 Jul 2023) Lieutenant Francis Reginald Bennett, 19th Australian Infantry Battalion Image

• Francis Reginald Bennett as part of the Pick a Soldier, Plant a Tree Project