BENNETT, Charles Stanley
| Service Number: | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 16 March 1917, in Adelaide |
| Last Rank: | Sapper |
| Last Unit: | Railway Unit (AIF) |
| Born: | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, December 1890 |
| Home Town: | Mile End, City of West Torrens, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Fireman |
| Died: | Mile End, City of West Torrens - South Australia, Australia, 24 November 1952, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
St Judes Cemetery, Brighton, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Brighton Arch of Remembrance |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Mar 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2023, Railway Unit (AIF), in Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 May 1917: | Involvement 2023, Railway Unit (AIF), --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '6' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ascanius embarkation_ship_number: A11 public_note: '' | |
| 11 May 1917: | Embarked 2023, Railway Unit (AIF), HMAT Ascanius, Melbourne | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Sapper, 2023 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide High School
Charles Stanley Bennett was born in approximately December 1890 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. He had a medium complexion, brown eyes and black hair. His religious domination was Church of England. Prior to his enlistment in World War I, Bennett worked as a fireman (that is, he operated steam trains) and lived in his hometown. He was married to Dorothea May Bennett, and was a father to 2 children.
Leaving his will with his wife, Bennett, age 26 years 3 months, enlisted for the war on the 16th March 1917. Weighing 65.8kg and 180cm, Bennett was at the time, was in a healthy condition for battle. He enlisted alongside his brother Pte George Russell Bennett, who served in the 7th Field Artillery Brigade, and whom subsequently returned to Australia successfully in 11 May 1919. Bennett officially embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board the HMAT Ascanius A11 on the 11th May 1917.
Charles Stanley Bennett served on the Western Front. Initially a private, Bennett was shortly promoted to 2nd corporal. He served in the railway units of the AIF.
Throughout the conflict, Bennett completed duty in England in 1917 and in France in 1918. Due to this, Bennett was admitted to hospital multiples times for both sea-sicknesses and shell wounds. It can be derived that Bennett had great strength and persistence, as all his admittances to the hospital were recoverable and did not conclude his engagement in battle.
On the 16th May 1918, Bennett had violated the system of military discipline and verbally violated guards and police whilst on field. Consequently, Bennett was proceeded to court on the 8th June 1919 and held for trial for the offense [document 1]. As a result, he was punished to forfeit 28 days of pay, and additionally was reduced to the Sapper rank. The next year in April, Bennett was once more punished for failing to conform to obligations, having been caught for AWL (Absence without leave).
He successfully returned home on the 6th of May 1919, and upon arrival, moved to live in Mile End, South Australia, where he reunited with his beloved family.
Charles-Stanley Bennett was deservedly awarded two medals for his war service: the Victory Medal in April 1920, and the British War Medal in April 1921.
He lived on until age 61, where he died on the 24th of November 1952 [document 2]. Bennett is now buried in the St Jude’s Church of England Cemetery, Brighton, South Australia, with his honourable plaque situated in the South Australian Garden of Remembrance.