Name
William George Bennett
8/11/1883
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/10/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
43823
Bedfordshire Regiment
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Panel 4 and 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
London Colney Village Memorial, Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
William George BENNETT was born in London Colney, Hertfordshire, on 8th November 1883, son of Walter Bennett an Engine Driver (believed to be a stationary Engine Driver) and Annie Bennett (nee Statton). The eldest of their three sons.
He was Baptised on 3rd February 1884, in the Parish of Colney-St Peter, Herts.
1891 Census records William (as Will) aged 7, at school, living with his parents, and brother Albert 4, in London Colney, Herts.
His father Walter Bennett died in 1893, aged 31.
His mother Annie remarried in late 1894, in St Albans, to William Draper.
1901 Census records William aged 17, his occupation is given as a Horseman and a boarder with John and Edith Stratton and their family at 105 Old London Road, St Albans, Herts.
William enlisted at St Albans posted to the 4th (Queens Own) Hussars and issued with the service number 665.
1911 Census records William aged 28, single and a Private with the 8th (Kings Royal Irish) Hussars, stationed in India.
William married Maud Elizabeth Smart the daughter of William and Julia Smart of St Albans, in 1915, in St Albans, Herts.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war William was a serving soldier with the 4th (Queens Own) Hussars, arriving in France on 24th August 1914, seeing action the Western Front. Later transferred to the Bedfordshire Regiment issued with the new service number 43823, later posted to the Hertfordshire Regiment with the same service number.
William was Killed in Action on 25th October 1918, aged 35, he has no known grave, he is Commemorated on the Vis-En Artois Memorial in France to the missing. Panel 4 & 5.
Additional Information
Maud was awarded a grant of £5, on 26th November 1918, and a widow’s pension of 13/9 a week from 19th May 1919, her address was 12 New Barnet Street, Hendon, London, N W 4.
His effects of £27-17s-07d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £23-10s-00d, went to his widow Maud.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
