Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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Bennett, Gordon Miles

Born 1894 Westbury Tasmania the son of William Miles and Annie Bennett (new Drew) a farmer he embarked Hobart 1^st July 1916 on board “HMAT Berrima” with the 40^th Infantry Battalion but was later drafted to the 49^th Battalion.

He died 11^th November 1919 Melbourne Victoria as he result of a diving accident and was buried in the Brighton General Cemetery, Brighton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

A sad accident occurred recently resulting in the death of Private Gordon Miles Bennett, late 49^th Battalion son of Mr and Mrs William Miles Bennett of Penguin. The young soldier had gone with friends on a pleasure trip to Mentone in Victoria. He was to have returned to his home in Tasmania the following day. They were diving. Pte Bennett had dived twice but unfortunately slipped the third time with the result that the vertebra and spine were broken. Paralysis followed and although every attention was given him at No 11 AGH Caulfield Hospital where he passed away five days later.

The young soldier had seen extensive service in France, being wounded three times, the third time on the Somme, where his hand and forearm were shattered necessitating the amputation of the limb. It was whilst waiting for an artificial arm that the fatal accident occurred. The military funeral was very largely attended. The coffin, which was draped with flags, was placed on a gun carriage drawn by six horses with postillion in uniform. The mourners included father mother and sisters and many personal friends of Private Bennett also 40 comrades on crutches. A firing party joined the cortege at Brighton cemetery and fired a salute at the gravesite after which a bugler sounded ‘The Last Post.’

The service was conducted by Chaplain Wells (Church of England) who knew the young soldier personally. The Chaplain said Pte Bennett was one of the best and most respected of the boys; he felt he had never conducted a more dignified and impressive ceremony. Many beautiful wreaths were sent including one from the lad’s comrades and also one from the nurses at Caulfield hospital.

The young soldier was 25 years of age and has many relatives in England and Tasmania. The sympathy of the district goes out to Mr and Mrs Bennett and family.

The Weekly Courier 27^th November 1919

Shown front row far right

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.