Name
Thomas Walter Bennifer
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/05/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/9260
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PERTH CEMETERY (CHINA WALL)
Plot XII, Row A, Grave 11.
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.
Thomas was born 16 July 1893 in Swaffham, and baptised 9 August 1893 at Sts Peter and Paul, Swaffham. He attended first Sotheron Road Infants’ School, Watford; then Beechen Grove Board School from 6 March 1900 to 7 December 1906. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 7 he lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, aged 17 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action in Germany.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, Thomas’ Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. There is an In Memoriam for Thomas in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated July 1919. Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War. His brother Cecil died 23 July 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)
