Name
Cecil Harry Bennifer
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/07/1917
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
890288
Royal Field Artillery
'A' Battery, 86th Brigade
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
DICKEBUSCH NEW MILITARY CEMETERY
Plot III, Row E, Grave 32.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour
Pre War
Son of Stephen and Finetta Mary (nee HOLMAN) BENNIFER of Watford.
His parents married 26 December 1890 at Sts Peter and Paul, Swaffham, Norfolk. Stephen died 1921 in Watford aged 51, and was buried 5 January in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Finetta died 1953 in Watford aged 81, and was buried 22 September, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
Cecil was born 10 April 1898 in Watford, and baptised 26 June 1898 at St Andrew’s, Watford. He attended Beechen Grove Board School, Watford, from 9 September 1907 to 11 November 1907, and again from 7 January 1908 to 15 March 1912.
On the 1901 Census, aged 3 he lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, a schoolboy aged 12 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings.
Recorded as born in Watford and enlisting in Hertford.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hertford; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and died of wounds received in action.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Cecil’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
There is a brief article about and a Death announcement for Cecil in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 11 August 1917; plus an In Memoriam in the issue dated 26 July 1919.
Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War.
His brother Thomas died 19 May 1917 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
