Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Sergeant, William James Bennett. 1882-1917
21865, Kings Liverpool reg,
Birth reg, 1882, West Derby, 8b 570

Son of Frederick & Mary Bennett,
34 Wedgewood St, Liverpool, ( 1911 census)

Husband of Annie Alice (nee Fildes)


Name:
William James Bennett

Birth Place:
Liverpool
Residence:
Liverpool
Death Date:
9 Apr 1917
Death Location:
France & Flanders
Enlistment Location:
Liverpool
Rank:
Sergeant
Regiment:
King's (Liverpool Regiment)
Battalion:
18th Battalion
Number:
21865
Type of Casualty:
Killed in action
Theatre of War:
Western European Theatre
Comments:
M.M.

There are two men being confused here, the CWGC records that this soldier's parents were John Henry and Agnes Bennett of Bootle.


Amanda

alcavtay wrote:There are two men being confused here, the CWGC records that this soldier's parents were John Henry and Agnes Bennett of Bootle.


Amanda

CWGC would be correct for that number, awarded the MM.

http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/ss ... &ml_rpos=1

King's Liverpool Regiment
Bennett
21865
William J
Serjeant
Liverpool
9th April 1917
Killed
Son of John Henry and Agnes Bennett, of 15, Clare Rd., Bootle, Liverpool.

Royal Engineers
Bennett
86890
William J
Serjeant
Liverpool
1st November 1917
Died of Wounds

SDGW

Name: William J. Bennett
Birth Place: Liverpool
Death Date: 1 Nov 1917
Death Place: France and Flanders
Enlistment Place: Liverpool
Rank: Sergeant
Regiment: Royal Engineers
Regimental Number: 86890
Type of Casualty: Died of wounds
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre
Comments: "Z" SPECIAL COY., R.E.

William James Bennett, 86890, RE,


"Z" SPECIAL COY., R.E. was a Fire Projector Company (flame throwers)

Perhaps suitable for a serving Fireman.

William James Bennett
Annie Alice Bennett (Fildes)
Family,
Central Fire Station, Birkenhead.
RG14, P21983

1916 a child was born, Beryl D Bennett, christened 1917, Edge Hill, parents as above, and died 1918. Buried at Walton Park, address, 100 Needham Rd, West Derby. Close to St Cyprians?

Bingo Bertie, we have him!!!

In my quest to compile records of soldiers using sources at Liverpool, I went through all the baptism Registers and made a record of any children getting baptised whose fathers were recorded as soldier's.

Entry from St. Cyprian's

William James Bennett 18, Redgrave Street-Soldier

We'll done all.

Katie beat me to it but Yay! great work on the fireman connection Bertie, I love it!

His poor wife though, losing her husband and her baby daughter so close together.

Amanda

Great research by everyone - well done!

I will insert a narrative into the draft based on this information.

Pulling the information together from the internet:-

William James Bennett married Annie Alice Fildes on 8/7/03 in Christ Church, Kensington, Liverpool. William was aged 21, occupation Fire Salvage Corps, address 18 Adelaide Rd, son of Frederick Bennett (signalman with L&NW Railway). Annie was aged 20, a spinster, address 18 Adelaide Rd, daughter of Henry Fildes (traveller - deceased). (Liverpool CofE Marriages and Banns  Records)

There was a different family at 18 Adelaide Rd in the 1901 Census

1911 Census
William James Bennett
Age: 25
Occupation: Brigade Fireman
Address: Central Fire Station Birkenhead - the dwelling had 4 rooms
Estimated Birth Year: 1886
Born: Liverpool
Spouse's Name: Annie Alice Bennett 28, b. Glasgow
William Henry Bennett 7, b. Liverpool
John Fildes Bennett 2, b. Birkenhead
Henry Fildes Bennett 8 months, b. Birkenhead
He had been married for 7 years - 3 of his 4 children had survived

This is his son William
Born 2/12/03 and baptised William Henry Bennett on 3/2/04 in St Cyprians's Church, Liverpool. He was the son of William James Bennett (telegraphist) and Annie Alice Bennett of 87 Holt Rd, Liverpool. (Liverpool CofE Baptism Records)

No Picture in the Echo or Evening Express.

Liverpool Echo 4 Dec 1916
WOUNDED
Sergeant William J Bennett, Special Brigade, Royal Engineers. Gassed. He is now in hospital in France. Previously to the war he was a wireless telegraph instructor. His brother lives at 34 Wedgewood-street, Liverpool.


Liverpool Daily Post 9 Nov 1917
News has been received that Sergeant William J Bennett, Royal Engineers, has met his death in France while in action. He was an old Liverpool Institute boy, and served three years in the South African war. Previous to his joining the colours he was a wireless operator with the Marconi company.

Ok, I'm getting confused now, can a clearer head take a look at this please... the date of death and the R.E. fits, the wireless operator fits with the baptism record we identified... but was he old enough to serve 3 years in the S.A. war? and wouldn't they have mentioned being a firefighter?

Amanda

Ok, I spoke too soon - should have finished looking around

his age in 1911 was 28, not 25, so he was born in 1882 and was old enough.

Also, found his service papers that show he enlisted in the telegraph battalion of the Royal Engineers on 7th March 1900 as Sapper 5116, aged 18, occupation telegraphist, parents Frederick and Mary of Holt-Rd.

Purchased his discharge in 1903 for £18

"William J Bennett having re-enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 23 March 1915 as No 86890, the sum of nine pounds (£9) part refund of purchase money, has been credited to his account through the paylist of No 3 company Billeting Battn Royal Engineers for August 1915. The Regimental Paymaster, Chatham."

medical report, medals info etc included but I've run out of time!

Amanda