Robert Avenel BENNETT

Regimental number1338
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationElectrician
AddressMurrumbeena, Victoria
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation25
Height5' 11"
Weight170 lbs
Next of kinWife, Mrs Nellie May Bennett, 151 Heath Street, Port Melbourne, Victoria
Enlistment date17 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentGunner
Unit nameField Artillery Brigade 2, Brigade Ammunition Column
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/30/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A27 Southern on 20 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollLieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll13th Field Artillery Brigade
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 31 July 1917

Other details from Roll of Honour CircularName given on RoH circular as Robert Avenel BENNET.
FateKilled in Action 4 October 1917
Place of death or woundingWesthoek Ridge, Passchendaele, Belgium
Age at death31
Age at death from cemetery records31
Place of burialThe Huts Cemetery (Plot IX, Row C, Grave No. 12), Dickebusch, Belgium
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Noman Francis and Agnes BENNETT, husband of Nellie May BENNETT, Paxton Street, East Malvern, Victoria
Medals

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When ordered to follow the infantry advance with one gun, he found that there was no track by which he could proceed whereupon he immediately made a reconnaissance, crossing four time through hostile barrage, and, having found a suitable point, collected two working parties and constructed a track. The whole operation was carried out under intense and accurate hostile shelling and heavy rifle and machine gun fire and he succeeded, by the very greatest coolness, initiative, and perseverance, in accomplishing his task.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

Other detailsMedals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, BENNETT Robert Avenel