Edward "Edwin" Bennett

 

 

Mar 19, 1885

Born in Edinburgh, Scotland 

His death certificate records his birth date as March 19, 1887

 

Nov 6, 1914

Attested into the 21st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario 

Ø      Number 59055 (temporary number 730)

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. E. (Sarah) Bennett, wife, John St., Port Hope, Ontario

o       The address was later changed to Salvation Army Women’s Hospital, Bloor St. E., Toronto

Ø      Previous occupation given as Blacksmith

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian

Ø      Assigned to “G” Company

o       This was later reorganized into “D” Company 

Although not noted on his medical at the time, he was deaf in his left ear, caused from a ruptured eardrum 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter with headquarters in the Kingston Armouries

 

Apr 5, 1915

Sentenced to a total of 18 days detention.  The offence is not recorded in the file

 

Apr 12, 1915

Sentenced to 10 days detention.  The offence is not recorded in the file

 

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

 

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

 

Jun 13, 1915

Sentenced to 5 days detention and forfeiture of 2 day’s pay for being AWL (Absent Without Leave)

 

Jul 5, 1915

Forfeited 1 day’s pay for being AWL

 

Jul 27, 1915

Restricted to half pay for 1 month for misconduct

 

Jul 28, 1915

Sentenced to 14 days detention for Misconduct

 

Jul 30, 1915

Sentenced to an additional 28 days detention for Disobeying an Order while in detention

 

Sep 7, 1915

Sentenced to 14 days detention for absence from Musketry Parade

 

Sep 9, 1915

Transferred to the Depot Company while in detention

 

Sep 14, 1915

The 21st Battalion embarked for France while Private Bennett was serving his detention sentence and remained in England

 

Sep 25, 1915

On being released from detention was posted to the 39th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling

 

Oct 13, 1915

While unloading a box from a car in Westenhanger, his hand was accidentally crushed against the car breaking a bone in his right hand

 

Oct 14, 1915

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital

 

Oct 17, 1915

Transferred to the Grange Hospital in Deal

 

Nov 26, 1915

Transferred to the Bear Wood Convalescent Hospital in Wokingham with a fractured right hand and deafness is noted in his left ear caused from an injury that occurred in 1903 that ruptured his eardrum

 

Dec 2, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Dec 25, 1915

Edward Bennett injured his right hand again when lifting a heavy object.

 

Dec 27, 1915

Admitted to the Moore Barracks hospital for treatment and his hand was placed in splints

 

Jan 10, 1916

Transferred to the Monks Horton Canadian Convalescent Hospital

 

Mar 1, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Apr 16, 1916

Declared to be absent

 

Apr 18, 1916

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment #2, 14 days forfeiture of pay plus forfeiture of an additional 2 days pay and allowances for being AWL

 

Apr 23, 1916

Posted to the 21st Battalion

 

Apr 24, 1916

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France as part of a draft of 853 reinforcements from England and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

May 15, 1916

Joined the 21st Battalion in the front line T & R trenches near Voormezeele

 

Jun 10, 1916

While on a working party he was buried by the explosion of an enemy artillery shell and treated by the Medical Officer.  His right hand was injured again in the same place as before when a rifle fell on his hand.  He was first treated near Voormezeele before being transferred to the No. 17 CCS

 

Jun 12, 1916

Transferred to the No. 13 General Hospital in Boulogne

 

Jun 13, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Jan Breydel

On arrival in England he was admitted to City of London Military Hospital in Clapton

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Jun 20, 1916

Transferred to the Rochester Row Military Hospital, London suffering from a relapse of a Gonorrhea infection that he suffered in 1908

 

Jun 27, 1916

Posted to the CCAC (Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre) for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Jul 8, 1916

Transferred back to the Rochester Row Military Hospital

 

Aug 11, 1916

Transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital in Bromley

 

Aug 17, 1916

Discharged from hospital

 

Aug 22, 1916

Posted to the 39th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling

 

Sep 21, 1916

Admitted to the West Cliff Canadian Eye and Ear Hospital in Folkestone

 

Oct 4, 1916

Medical Board notes that he is virtually deaf in the left ear, only able to hear a normal voice from 1 foot.  He is recommended for base duty only for the winter months. 

Posted to the CCAC for pay purposes while in hospital

 

Oct 6, 1916

Discharged from hospital and reported to the CCAC in Folkestone

 

Oct 9, 1916

Attached to the 2nd CVH (Canadian Veterinary Hospital) for duty

 

Jan 18, 1917

Admitted to the Moore Barracks Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Influenza

 

Jan 21, 1917

Transferred to the Queen’s Canadian Military Hospital in Beachborough Park, Shorncliffe

 

Mar 11, 1917

TOS EORD and attached to the CAVC (Canadian Army Veterinary Corps) for light duty while being treated as an out-patient

 

Mar 15, 1917

Posted to the EORD

 

Mar 20, 1917

Discharged from hospital

 

Mar 22, 1917

Joined the EORD in Seaford

 

May 3, 1917

Transferred to the EORD at Shorncliffe

 

May 4, 1917

Ceased to be attached and transferred to the EORD

 

May 16, 1917

Medical Board notes his defective hearing and states that the patient claims he had suffered from hearing loss before he joined the army

 

Jun 20, 1917

Attached to the 6th Reserve Battalion in Seaford

 

Jul 5, 1917

Sentenced to 14 days Field Punishment #2 for being absent for 2 days

 

Oct 6, 1917

Ceased to be attached to the 6th Reserve Battalion and reported to the EORD

 

Oct 15, 1917

Posted to the 4th Canadian Labour Battalion and embarked for France, arriving at the CGBD (Canadian General Base Depot) in Etaples

 

Oct 20, 1917

Joined the 4th Canadian Labour Battalion in Ypres, Belgium

 

Nov 21, 1917

Transferred to the 11th Battalion Canadian Railway Troops

 

Nov 23, 1917

While in his tent, a spark from an improvised stove ignited some cordite that had been stored nearby.  It exploded, burning all inside the tent, including Private Bennett.  This was declared and accident and no inquiry was held. 

Admitted to a British 2/1 East Lancs Field Ambulance with burns to his face and transferred the same day to the No. 10 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Nov 24, 1917

Transferred via the No. 23 AT (Ambulance Train) and admitted to the No. 14 General Hospital in Wimereux

 

Dec 27, 1917

Transferred to the 1st Convalescent Depot in Boulogne to continue his recovery

 

Dec 31, 1917

Transferred to the Divisional Rest Camp

 

Jan 3, 1918

Discharged to the CGBD in Etaples

 

Jan 14, 1918

Medical Board classifies him as TB (Temporary Base) meaning that he is temporarily unfit for active duty

 

Jan 21, 1918

Admitted to hospital with a diagnosis that reads Bronchitis

 

Jan 23, 1918

Transferred to the No. 7 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples

 

Mar 27, 1918

Discharged from hospital to the CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples and posted to the 21st Battalion

 

May 7, 1918

Left the CIBD and joined the CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp) in Aubin St. Vaast

 

May 10, 1918

Left the CCRC to join the battalion

 

May 12, 1918

Joined the 21st Battalion in the front lines at Mercatel, south of Arras, France

 

Jun 21, 1918

Admitted to the No. 5 CFA with a boil on his left leg

 

Jun 23, 1918

Discharged to duty from the field ambulance

 

Nov 9, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

 

Nov 29, 1918

Rejoined the battalion from leave

 

Dec 13, 1918

The 21st Battalion crossed the Bonn Bridge upon entering Germany as part of the occupying force and proceeded to Seigburg

 

Apr 3, 1919

Embarked the Western Australia in Havre, France

On arrival in England he was posted to the “P” Wing at Witley pending returning to Canada

 

May 14, 1919

Embarked the SS Caronia in Liverpool

 

May 22, 1919

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the battalion proceeded to Kingston, Ontario by train

 

May 24, 1919

Discharged from the CEF in Kingston, Ontario 

Ø      Rank on discharge Private

Ø      War Badge Class “A” issued number 279972

Ø      Proposed residence on discharge Port Hope, Ontario 

Following the war the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at 3 Shuter St., Port Hope, Ontario.  He did not qualify for the 1914-15 Star as he did not enter France until April of 1916.  However, the battalion’s war diary listed him in January of 1919 as being qualified for the medal.  This was in error, and it is unclear if he actually received the medal.

 

Dec 25, 1937

Edward Bennett died of Coronary Thrombosis at home and is buried in the Welcome United Cemetery, Port Hope, Ontario

 


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