Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Excerpt from Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1. Courtesy of the Authors

Norman Robertson Bennett (known as NR) was born in Adelaide on 8th February 1894, the third son of Arthur Barkly Bennett (and Mary neee ROBERTSON), an ironmonger’s assistant working in Port Adelaide, of Burlington St, Nth Walkerville. He won a Scholarship at Sturt St School and was an Honours student at Adelaide High School.  He began his study of medicine at the University of Adelaide in 1912. 

Bennett enlisted in the AIF, on the 21st August 1914 at Fort Largs.  He was 20 years old and a 2nd year medical student with previous experience as a Senior Cadet for 2 years.   He was single, 6ft tall, and weighed 164lbs. He was posted to B Sect 3 FdAmb from 28th August 1914 as a Lance Corporal. Bennett embarked from Adelaide on the 20th October 1914 and with the Unit moved to the Gallipoli Peninsular. At Anzac on the 3rd September 1915 he was wounded with shrapnel. His wound included a compound fracture of the R occipital bone. He was transferred to Mudros and the 19 General Hospital at Alexandria.   Subsequently he was invalided to Australia in November 1915.  A decision by the DGMS on the 15th December 1915 and noted by the Principle Medical Officer, 4th MD, Lieutenant Colonel Russell that Bennett “will not be accepted for Service with the AIF so long as remains as a Medical Student at any University of the Commonwealth of Australia”. He was discharged at the 4 MD as a lance corporal on the 14th February 1916 as medically unfit. Bennett applied to re-join the AIF on the 19th June 1918 aged 24 years, and still a medical student; citing his previous 18 months with the 3rd FdAmb in Gallipoli. He passed his physical examination with normal vision despite some visual loss after the removal of the bullet from his skull in 1915. However, he was not called up for duty due to the “cessation of hostilities.” He qualified in medicine at Adelaide University in December 1919 with MB BS. He was issued with the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Bennett married Gweneth Willimott on the 3rd December 1921 and had three sons. During the years 1924-1926 he had a small practice in Cleve later moving to a larger house and practice in Port Lincoln with Donald MacDonald Steele. Bennett took an active interest in the social and medical politics of the area notably the Hospital, the Bowling and Racing Clubs; he loved fishing and bird watching. The family lived there until 1936 when they returned to Adelaide for the education of the boys at St Peter’s College and his new employment with the Repatriation Department. By 1937 he had established his own practice at 19 Fullarton Rd and was there for 20 years.  His sons graduated MB BS at Adelaide University and worked with their father in Fullarton Rd next to the Arkaba Hotel. Norman Robertson Bennett died on 15th January 1957 and was survived by his wife until 1970 and his three sons. 

Sources: http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=3073071