The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra

 
 
Sergeant Henry Bennett

Ancestor Details

Sergeant BennettName 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).

Harry Bennet's name on War Memorials

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.

Newspaper clippings

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

 


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