War service: Egypt, Western Front

Embarked Adelaide, 18 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 18 December 1915.

Reverted to the rank of Private, Tel el Kebir, 1 March 1916.

Taken on strength of D Company, 32nd Bn, Tel el Kebir, 3 March 1916.

Promoted Lance Corporal, Ferry Post, 25 May 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join to the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Posted missing, 20 July 1916.

'Prisoner of War German list dated 4/11/16 received by Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau, Australian Branch, British Red Cross Society', 24 November 1916, show that 'identification marks found on the Prisoner of War are inspected by the General War Bureau and shown in the lists as under:- DEAD'.

'Identification disc received from Germany', 13 March 1917. 'No particulars afforded except that soldier is deceased. To be reported KILLED IN ACTION, 20/7/16' on the authority of Assistant Adjutant General, ANZAC Section, War Office.

German report dated 2 August 1916 and confirmed on 1 October 1919, 'austr, Sold. Bennett, A. D.32.A.I. Nr.1602 am 19.7.16. in Gegend Fromelles gefallen.'

Red Cross File No 340304 has statement from 1197 Acting Sergeant R.A. THOMPSON, 32nd Bn (patient Northants War Hospital, Duston, England), 19 September 916: 'Informant states that on 20th July at Fleurbaix early in the morning during an attack, Bennett was trying to help in Cpl. R.C. Green, 1274, who is also reported missing, when he was shot himself close to his spine; Informant did not see him again.'

Second statement, 2146 E.F. Ward (patient, Ward 34, 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, England), 11 October 1916: 'Lieut. Miller told me in Brighton Hospital, that L/Cpl. Bennett was killed while trying to pull Corporal Green out of a hole. He was shot through the head by a bullet.'

Third statement: 1261 Sergeant W.R. FLINDELL (patient, No 35 General Hospital, Calais), 7 November 1916: 'I saw him severely wounded in the German 2nd line. We were attacking from Fromelles. I asked him during the night how he was getting on, and he was not at all bad at that time. We came back next morning and had to leave him there.'

'The above name appeared on a German Death List dated 6-11-16.'

Fourth statement, Lt A.C. SINCLAIR, 32nd Bn (patient, 3rd London General Hospital, Wandsworth, England), 5 January 1917: 'Informant states that on July 19/16 at Fleurbaix L/Cpl Bennett was badly wounded (can't say exact nature of wound, but thinks in chest.) He got through the night but next morning his condition was very low. Our men being outflanked had to fight their way back leaving their wounded in the German trench. Informant knew Bennett personally, and states that he came from Claremont, W. Australia.'

'Identity Disc recd. From Germany and despatched to N/K 20.6.17.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal