The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra
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Sergeant Henry Bennett |
Ancestor Details
Name of Ancestor: Henry (known as Harry) Augustus Bennett
Ancestor's date of birth: 02/06/1870
Ancestor's date of death: 16/10/1900
Cause of Death: Killed in action, Rieckersdam, 16.10.1900 (Murray)
Service Number: 486
Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Forbes
Unit: NSW Imperial Bushmen
Rank attained in Boer War: SGT, Date Effective: 05/10/1900
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): Did not survive the Boer War
Murray Page: 101; 204
Contingent: Fourth New South Wales
Ship: Armenian, Date of Sailing: 23/04/1900
Memorial details: Wonderfontein grave yard (which is just out of town Groot Marico - see "Forgotten Graves" newspaper clipping, below), AWM Canberra, Forbes Boer War Memorial (see below).
Decorations: Queens' South Africa Medal with Rhodesia and Transvaal Clasps.
Personal Characteristics: Bit of a scallywag but very brave according to letter from CO telling of his death - see clipping below. Although official records give his rank as corporal according to the letter he was promoted to sergeant some time just before death.
Reasons to go and fight: As far as family scuttlebut goes, lots of country boys were let out of jail if they 'volunteered' and were good horsemen. Harry had certainly been in and out of jail in NSW country towns so it may be valid.
Details of service in war: From May 1900 in Rhodesia and west Transvaal including capture of de la Rey's convoy and guns at Wildfontein (24 March 1901). Killed in action Rieckersdam 16 October 1900. Letter from CO on his death was published in a newspaper, see clip below.
Service and life after the Boer War: Did not survive the Boer War
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Leith Toll, Coogee NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Great great nephew
Name of Descendant: Kerry Vincent Bennett, Hunters Hill NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: great-great nephew
© New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum Incorporated ABN 94 630 140 881
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