Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Published Biography

Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1, C Verco, A Summers, T Swain & M Jelly. July 2014

Additional Biography

Family and Early Years

Norman Robertson Bennett was born 8th February 1894 to Arthur Barkly Bennett (b 1857 - d 1927) and Mary Robertson (b 1863 - d 1924). The youngest of four children, Norman had two older brothers (Leslie Robertson Bennett and Jack Robertson Bennett) and a sister (Doris Barkly Bennett).

Norman's father was an ironmonger by trade, working for Crooks and Brooker, Adelaide and is recorded as having taken out several patents including one for an improved watering can.

Arthur and his family fell on hard times in the late 1800s, but things improved and he was later was the city manager for Crooks and Brooker around the turn of the century.

Growing up, the Bennett family had originally resided at White Street, Walkerville until about 1905, and then later able to move to a nice property at 42 Burlington Street, Walkerville (shown below today but remains in fairly original condition) .

In the early 1900s, there was plenty of open space in the Walkerville area and the Bennett family had several horses when the children were young. When Norman was 6 years old, their pony went missing and a year later it was missing again along with another of the family's horses, which had also strayed. He would develop a life-long interest in horses and later own racehorses.

By 1905 Norman's father was now in his own business and was the distributor an early type of cooler.

The Iceberg Butter Cooler was still being sold up until the early 1940's after which there were various alternative types of refrigeration available.

Education

Norman initially attended Walkerville Public State School, where he obtained his Primary Certificate.

He then attended Sturt Street Public State School during 1907 and in December 1907 was awarded and Education Exhibition to attend the Grote Street Pupil Teachers School in 1908 to study for his Junior Public Examinations. The Pupil Teacher's School had been used for the purposes of training junior teachers while they were also studying for their junior, senior and higher public exams.

Originally constructed and completed in 1874 as the Grote Street Model School, it later incorporated teacher training and became known as the Pupil Teachers School. In 1908, the Government made it South Australia's first public secondary school and was renamed Adelaide High School. Norman was therefore going to be one of its first students.

Norman completed his Junior Public Year in 1908 at Adelaide High School and was mentioned in the Honour List for that year.

He then followed on with his Senior Public Year in 1909, passing in five subjects. The following year he passed four subjects in the Higher Public Examinations in December 1910.

During his three years at Adelaide High School, Norman played sport and was a member of the School Cadets. In September of 1910, Norman was a member of the school 1st XVIII football team that made a trip to Victoria to play against the Melbourne Continuation School (Melbourne High School). On the way back to Adelaide the team played a match against the boys of the Ballarat Agricultural High School. The sporting matches between Melbourne and Adelaide High School became an annual event, continuing to this day.

Completion of these Senior and Higher Public Examinations qualified Norman for entry to Adelaide University (matriculation) and he was also successful in gaining a Government Bursary tenable at the University.

In his final year at Adelaide High School, Norman played 1st XI Cricket. At the annual speech day in December, he was recognised as their best batsmen in the latter part of the 1910 season.

In 1911, determined to qualify for entry into the medical faculty, Norman had to initially enroll in the Science Faculty to complete prerequisite first year science subjects. It must have been a struggle adapting to university study as he was only able to pass the compulsory Chemistry subject (3rd Class pass) that year.
During his first year at Adelaide University, Norman did not forget his old school and retained a connection by joining the committee of the old scholars association.

Norman played for the old scholars against the present scholars match held in August 1911. He would retain a strong bond with Adelaide High School for many years.

In 1912, Norman passed Physical Chemistry (in a supplementary examination) and finally in 1913 in the supplementary examinations of March 1914, he passed Physiology. In those two years he had managed to complete the requirements to enter the Medical Faculty, however with the "War Clouds" emerging in the northern Hemisphere, like other young men were deferring their studies, so too would Norman defer his 2nd year medical studies in August 1914. He was to be one of Adelaide's very early volunteers, demonstrated by his Regimental Serial Number "133" on his Attestation Form.

World War 1

Norman enlisted the AIF on 21st August 1914 at Fort Largs. He was 20 years of age, just over 6 ft tall and weighed 164 lbs. He had 2 years military training in the Senior Cadets while at Adelaide High School.
As a 2nd year medical student, he was posted to the 3rd Field Ambulance with a rank of Lance Corporal, where it was expected he would gain valuable experience (if he survived).

Norman embarked for overseas service from Adelaide in October 1914, but his unit spent time in Egypt undergoing further training prior to deployment to the Mediterranean.

While in Egypt, in January 1915, Norman was struck down with influenza and admitted to No. 2 General Hospital (Mena House) near Cairo. He recovered after a month's admission and return to his unit in late February.

On the 2nd of March 1915 the 3rd Field Ambulance joined up with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces in preparation for the Gallipoli landing.

Taken in 1915, although not confirmed, the photo above of members of the 3rd Field Ambulance, in the member in centre of the picture bears a strong resemblance to Lance Corporal Norman Robertson Bennett .

On 3rd of September, after a short time on Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, Norman received shrapnel wound to the back of the head which resulted in a serious compound fracture of the right occipital bone.

Ironically, Norman's older brother Jack, had enlisted on 30th August 1915, only a few days before his younger brother had been wounded.

After evacuation from Gallipoli he boarded a hospital ship bound for the port of Mudros on the Greek island of Lemnos, he was then transferred for hospitalisation in Egypt at the 19th General Hospital, Alexandria. Later he was moved to the 1st General Hospital at Heliopolis near Cairo.

Two months after being wounded he had recovered enough to be Invalided back to Australia via the Suez Canal aboard the HMAHS Karoola on 4th November 1915.

Arriving back in Adelaide on 2nd December 1915, he was admitted to the 7th Australian General Hospital, Keswick, South Australia and then given 2 months leave, before having to see a specialist. At his appointment on 2nd February 1916, the specialist assessed him as "fit for duty", but Norman was immediately discharged from the AIF to complete his medical studies.

Now recovered, Norman may have been keen to re-enlist but could not, because the government policy on enlistment of medical students had changed. This was on account of of the need for more qualified doctors at the front lines in Europe. All medical students were now required to complete their studies before they could enlist.

The medical course had been condensed at the time so that studies and examinations could be completed more expeditiously. Students needed to study and gain clinical experience during the summer vacation.
Norman recommenced medicine again in 1916 and completed his 2nd Year (passing 2nd Class). The following year he passed 3rd Year (3rd Class) and in 1918 he passed 4th Year (3rd Class).

Half way through his 4th Year, in June 1918, he did reenlist and passed the physical examination. He was assigned to the Mitcham Camp, however was not called up for overseas service because of the "cessation of hostilities" and was discharged on 18th November 1918.

After the end of the War, for his service Norman was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

His 5th and final year was then completed during 1919 and in December 1919 his MBBS Degree was conferred. He had not been a brilliant medical student, but had showed a determination to gain his medical degree.

Adelaide University Sport

Norman had played cricket at Adelaide High School and at University he played in the B grade side in his first two years. Norman had also managed a game or two of cricket at the tail end of the unofficial SACA Competition in 1915/16 season after being repatriated home. After graduating in 1919, he was able to play in 1918/19 and the first half of the 1919/20 seasons with the AUCC after the SACA competition resumed after the War. As the wicket keeper he was now playing primarily A Grade.

Lacrosse

Although Norman had played football for Adelaide High School, at University he chose to play lacrosse as a winter sport. He was a member of the B Grade premiership team in 1912. Many of his team mates would serve in WW1. Amongst them was Arthur Blackburn, who would win a Victoria Cross and Military Cross recipient Alan Morey, who was killed in action.

After the end of WW1, he resumed playing lacrosse and was a member of the Adelaide University team which played Melbourne when the Intervarsity competition resumed.

Medical Career

As was the case for many new graduates, for those who were not pursuing further training, a position in the country was the most likely appointment. Norman headed to Cleve on the Eyre Peninsula in 1920. In December 1920 he registered a Ford motor car.

Norman married Gweneth Willimott on 3rd December 1921 and just prior to Christmas, she joined him at Cleve, where he had established his practice.

In 1922, Norman held the position of president of the Cleve and Arno Bay Returned Servicemen's Association.

While in Cleve, sadly on April 26th, 1924, Norman's mother, Mary passed away. The family piano was disposed of in 1925, at the time of the family home at 42 Burlington Street being put up for sale.

Norman and Gweneth were well respected members of the community, involving themselves in the social activities of the township and surrounds. Norman had continued with his sport and was captain of the Arno Bay football team.

The Bennett family remained in Cleve until the end of 1926. While in the town, they welcomed two sons into the family; John Barkly and Richard Barkly.

At the end of 1926, the Bennett family then moved to Port Lincoln where Norman joined the practice of Donald McDonald Steele. Steele had also served in WW1 played State cricket and was Bennett's captain while he was playing with the Adelaide University cricket team.

In October 1927 Norman's father passed away also, he was still residing in Walkerville, but now at the home of his son Jack, in Wilsden Street.

In addition to joining Dr Steel's practice, Norman soon held an honorary appointment to the Port Lincoln Hospital and during his time there he and Gweneth involved themselves in many community activities. Norman, as well delivering many babies for other Port Lincoln families, He and Gweneth welcomed another son, William Barkly during their time there.

In 1928, Norman was involved in a very heart-breaking case, when two children died in the Port Lincoln Hospital from strychnine poisoning. He was one of the treating doctors and was called as a witness at the inquest.

After the lengthy inquest that followed, at which Norman and Dr Steel both appeared, it was determined that the children had been murdered by a family acquaintance. The accused was found to be of unsound mind.

While practicing at Cleve and Port Lincoln, Norman's love of horses saw him heavily involved in racing. He was also a vice-president of the Port Lincoln Football Association.

Adelaide High School Old Scholars

Norman was an original scholar of 1908 and maintained his connection with Adelaide high School through the Old Scholars' Association. He was a regular supporter and a prize donor for athletics carnivals and at the speech nights where academic achievements were recognised.

Norman and Gweneth were keen bridge players and at a charity event for raising funds for a tennis court at the hospital, they won the bridge competition.

Norman was also appointed the Medical Inspector of Shipping and Medical Inspector of Seamen arriving at Port Lincoln.

Another of Norman's sporting interests, was golf and was captain of the Port Lincoln Golf Club in 1935. In December, he played for the Council and Parents of the Port Lincoln High School in a cricket match against the students. In 1936 he was the runner-up in the veteran doubles tennis at the Peninsula Tennis Championships. Norman was also president of the bowling club and in his spare time loved to get out fishing.

In May1936, after 10 years in Port Lincoln, the family returned to Adelaide. With their oldest boy, John now 12 years of age, due to commence his secondary education it was the right time for the move. The boys were all enrolled at St Peter's College and did very well academically and in sport. Norman had been appointed to a position with the Repatriation Hospital at Daw Park.

The Bennetts were spoken of very highly by the Port Lincoln community and were given several farewells. Norman had been involved with the bowling, football, golf, tennis and racing clubs in various capacities. That was in addition to his dedicated medical services to the hospital and wider community.

In addition to his work at the repatriation hospital, Norman also established his own private medical practice on Fullarton Road, next to the Arkaba Hotel, where he practiced for 20 years. In 1942 a thief broke into his Fullarton home.

Norman had been on the reserve list of officers in the 4th Military District, South Australia and in July 1950, Honorary Captain N.R. Bennett was retired.

Norman had an interest in horses from an early age, but it was only towards the end of his life that he had great success as a racehorse owner. Beau Grand, a horse that he raced in partnership with A.J. McBride, was very successful winning many feature races during 1953 and 1954.

Death

Norman Robertson Bennett died on the 15th of January 1957 aged 62. He was survived by his wife Gweneth and his three sons. He is interred at the North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth, South Australia.

Family Legacy

The three boys all attended St Peter's College (S.P.S.C.) and had outstanding academic careers. All three sons followed in their father's footsteps and became doctors and at times worked with their father at his medical practice at 19 Fullarton Rd.

John "Jack" Barkly Bennett MBBS (Adel. 1947) S.P.S.C. 1936 - 1941
Born at Cleve 21st July 1924 - Died in Melbourne 14th July 1987 (aged 62)

Richard "Dick" Barkly Bennett MBBS (Adel. 1948) S.P.S.C. 1936 - 1942
Born at Cleve 5th October 1926 - Died 18th August 1998 (aged 71)

William Barkly Bennett MBBS (Adel. 1956) S.P.S.C. 1936 - 1946
Born at Port Lincoln 20th August 1928 - Died in Adelaide 23rd May 1968 (Aged 39)

John was an outstanding young footballer. In the 1938 Intercollegiate match against Prince Alfred College (PAC) he kicked seven goals from full-forward. He would have only just celebrated his 14th birthday. It appears that John did not continue on with his football to concentrate on tennis and his studies.

In April John had captained the winning Intercollegiate tennis team against PAC. He also won the South Australian Schools Open singles and doubles championships in December 1938. In future years he would continue with his tennis and perform well at district and state levels.

A young Dr Richard Barkly Bennett was the doctor who examined the body of "The Somerton Man" in December of 1948. Only recently graduating in medicine, he was working at the Adelaide Hospital and on duty when a corpse found on the beach at Somerton was brought in for examination of the cause of death. The case remains unsolved to this day and the identity of the man is still unknown.

Profile added with the permission of the author Rob O'Shannassy.

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project please see the document attached.

“Blood, Sweat and Fears”
ISBN: 978-0-64692-750-3
Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australia
who served in WW1