South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Corporal 10586 Joseph Edward BENNETT - 1st Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)


Killed in Action on Monday, July 17th 1916 aged 26


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders 1914 Star, British War & Victory Medals Flatiron Copse Cemetery
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
15 Aug 1914 in Havre, France ~ Warwick (Eleanor Cross) War Memorial
    Warwick St. Paul
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Warwick Wesleyan Chapel
Battle of Bazentin (Somme)  1911 in Warwick  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
High Wood, Bazentin  ~  
     

Original Enlistment

From his service number, 10586 we know that Joseph enlisted between 3 Feb 1911 and 6 Jul 1912 when numbers 10520 & 10783 were issued. We also know that
in April 1911 Joseph was still living and working at home
in Warwick so he enlisted sometime after 1 Apr 1914 & 6 Jul 1912.

Circumstances of Death

Joseph is listed as being killed in action on 17 Jul 1916. The 1st Battalion war diary for the 16th, 17th and 18th are transcribed below. Although Joseph is buried in Flat Iron Cemetery he was originally buried at map ref 57C.S.15.a.5.7 which is just SE of Bazentin on the edge of Bois de la Perruse (La Perruse Wood) (Map it)

High Wood – Sun 16th July 1916: At 1am received orders to take over the line near High Wood. The Battn marched of at 1.20am and got into position before daylight relieving a mixture of Glasgow Highlanders and other regiments. C Company led by a  guide of the Glasgow Highlanders walked into a German Machine Gun in the edge of the wood and had several casualties: 2/Lt Christie killed, Lt Watson wounded 2 other ranks killed and 46 wounded.

In the afternoon the Battn was withdrawn & went into trenches near Bazentin-le-Petit. Moved again in the middle of the night. No sleep for many today.

Bazentin – Mon 17th July 1916: Ordered to attack German Switch Trench. Remained S of Bazentin-le-Petit in most indifferent cover, heavy shelling, attack postponed 24 hours. Casualties: 2/Lts Barclay, Oppe & McGregor wounded. 6 other ranks killed and 26 wounded.

Bazentin – Tues 18th July 1916: Shelling continued, companies moved to better position and so avoided some of the shells. Attack again postponed. Casualties: 1 other rank killed and 33 wounded.



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
31 May 1890 at 26 Monk Street, Warwick 3 Aug 1890 at Warwick, St. Paul              
   
Parents Names Abode
Edward & Hannah Bennett 10 Friars Street, Warwick
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1890 - 26 Monk Street, Warwick  
1891 - The Lane, Longborough (visitor with mother) 1911 - Vanman (Mineral Water)
1901 - Not found 1911 - Soldier in Cameronians
1911 - 10 Friars Street, Warwick 1914 - Soldier in Cameronians
1915 - 10 Friars Court, Warwick