BENNETT, Thomas Edgar
| Service Number: | 5051 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 January 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 49th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Riana, Tasmania, June 1894 |
| Home Town: | Riana, Central Coast, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Fell from bridge, Emu Bay Railway Company railway bridge, Pieman River, Tasmania, 12 April 1930 |
| Cemetery: |
Wivenhoe General Cemetery, Burnie, Tasmania |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Jan 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5051, 12th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 5051, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: RMS Orontes embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 29 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 5051, 12th Infantry Battalion, RMS Orontes, Melbourne | |
| 20 May 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 52nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 28 Aug 1918: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 52nd Infantry Battalion | |
| 16 Sep 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 5051, 52nd Infantry Battalion, "The Last Hundred Days", GSW right thigh, left knee | |
| 4 Feb 1919: | Honoured Military Medal, Villers-Bretonneux, For gallant conduct, resourcefulness, and a fine devotion to duty on night of 24th/25th April 1918, during the counter-attack near VILLERS-BRETONNEUX. The team of one of our Lewis guns had become casualties and Private BENNETT, acting at that time as a Company Runner, took charge of the gun, organised a new team, and was of great assistance to his Company during the remainder of the advance. His fine disregard of danger and gallant example under exceptionally difficult conditions were a great help to those under his temporary command.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15, Date: 4 February 1919 | |
| 11 Aug 1920: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 5051, 49th Infantry Battalion, 6th MD, wounding VB |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
Narelle Howe and Sue Guinan
2nd Cpl THOMAS EDGAR BENNETT, MM
A 21 year old labourer from Riana he embarked with the 12th Battalion later transferring to the 49th. He was recommended for the military medal on 5th May 1918.
Military Medal
"For gallant conduct, resourcefulness, and a fine devotion to duty on night of 24th/25th April 1918, during the counter-attack near VILLERS-BRETONNEUX. The team of one of our Lewis guns had become casualties and Private BENNETT, acting at that time as a Company Runner, took charge of the gun, organised a new team, and was of great assistance to his Company during the remainder of the advance. His fine disregard of danger and gallant example under exceptionally difficult conditions were a great help to those under his temporary command."
Thomas was accidently killed 12/4/30. Employed by the Emu Bay Railway Company he was working on the railway bridge over the Pieman River. He slipped and fell off the bridge striking rocks before falling into the water. He was living at Strahan Street, South Burnie. He left a widow and five young children.
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