Wilfred Bennett
Name: Wilfred Egbert Bennett MM and Bar
Rank: Corporal
Service Number: 10219
Units Served: 10th Field Company Australian Engineers
Personal Details: Wilfred Egbert Bennett was born in Delamere in January 1889 to parents George and Mary Ann Bennett. He worked as a farmer in the district. He was 5 foot, 7 and half inches tall, weighed 168 pounds and had dark brown hair. Previously to enlisted he served 6 years in the Light Horse.
Enlistment Details: Wilfred enlisted on the 7th of March 1916 in Delamere, South Australia. He was 27 years and 2 months old at the time.
Details about his role in War: He embarked upon the H.M.A.T “Runic” from Melbourne on the 20th of June 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth on the 20th of August. From there he proceeded to France with the 10th Field Company. Wilfred was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 13th of February 1917. On the on the 3rd of August 1917 Wilfred was detached to a rest camp where he spent 2 weeks before returning on the 17th. On the same day he was awarded the Military Medal. He was given this medal for the actions performed at Messines. His official citation reads “At Messines on the nights of 26/27 27/28 28/29 29/30.7.17 W.E Bennett was in charge of night working parties engaged in construction of CROSS AVENUE the main approach on the right for the troops taking part in the Messines sector on 31.7.17. Each night the parties were obliged to withdraw repeatedly owing to heavy shelling and it was owing to L-Cpl Bennett’s marked courage energy and resourcefulness that the parties were rallied time after time and as soon as there was a temporary lull brought forward again thus enabling the main approach communication trench to be completed in time for the operation”. On the 13th of October 1917 Wilfred was promoted to a temporary Corporal. Then on the 24th of November he was given 3 weeks leave before rejoining his unit on the 15th of December. On the 12th of January 1918 Wilfred was again promoted, this time to Corporal. On the 26th of February he was awarded the Bar to his Military Medal. Wilfred again rose higher through the ranks when he was promoted to Corporal on the 6th of April. Weeks later on the 26th of April 1918 Wilfred was wounded in action and admitted to the 11th Field Ambulance with gunshot wounds to his left ankle and wrist and a fractured right leg. The same day he died of the wounds he received.
Age at Death: 27 years 3 months
Memorial Details: Wilfred is buried in the Querrieu British Cemetery in France.
Interesting Material: Wilfred was a close friend of
Garnet Kelly, who is a relative of another CS regular, Tamika.
