Alfred W. Bennett
Contents |
History
Alfred Wilton Bennett was born on 25 March 1859. He died on 17 September 1940 and is buried in the Ballaarat New Cemetery.
Alfred Benett was a member of the Ballarat Rowing Club. In September 1915, at the time of his enlistment the rowing club presented him with a gold mounted fountain pen.
The 29th Battalion AIF was formed under the leadership of an experienced and well regarded militia officer, Lt Col Alfred Wilton Bennett. Lt Col Bennett who at the age of 49 had lived in Ballarat for many years and conducted a successful jewellery business. Lt Col Bennett would lead his beloved Battalion through many a horrific battle, until he was posted to England on 18 November 1916. His replacement was Lt Col Muir Purser a New South Welshman.[1]
Legacy
The World War One service of Alfred Bennett is recognised on the Ballarat Avenue of Honour,and is listed on the Honour Board of the Old Colonists' Club.
Obituary
- Lieut-Colonel Alfred Wilton Bennett, 74, died in a private hospital at Ballarat last night. He was the oldest military officer in Ballarat having held a commission for 55 years. He gained his commission in the original 3rd Battalion at Ballarat in 1885, rising later to the rank of major. For five years he was lieutenant-colonel in command of the 7th Regiment and commanded the 29th Battalion, AIF, on Gallipoli and in France. He was an excellent rifle shot, and he was in charge of the 7th Regiment team which won the Schumacher trophy in the Empire rifle shooting contests in 1908.[2]
See also
Notes
References
- ↑ http://www.229battalion.org.au/the-29th-battalion/, accessed 31 May 2017.
- ↑ The Argus, 19 September 1940.
Further Reading
External links
Members of the winning team 7th Australian Infantry Regiment. Ballarat in the Empire Challenge match Schumacher Cup 1909 - http://www.ballarathistoricalsociety.com/collection/Records/Record609.79.htm
Dossier - https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=3072179
--Beth Kicinski 13:10, 17 June 2013 (EST); --Clare K.Gervasoni 10:53, 31 May 2017 (AEST)
