Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Leading Aircraftman Denis Rene Bennett

Service Number: 437897

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)

Born: 1 March 1924 – New Mile End, South Australia

Died: 14 February 1991 – North Adelaide, South Australia

Buried: Enfield Memorial Park, Clearview, SA – Eastern Niche Wall No. 2, Wall & Row KF, Site 5

Early Life and Civilian Background

Denis Rene Bennett was born on 1 March 1924 in New Mile End, South Australia, to William Henry Bennett and Beatrice Mary Joseph Dennis. He attended Thebarton Central School (1935–1936) and Thebarton Technical School (1936–1937), where he obtained his Qualifying Certificate in 1936.

After leaving school, he was employed as a bread baker for 14 months with H.F. Hoffman in Salisbury and later worked as an ammunition worker prior to his enlistment. He was a member of the Church of England.

Enlistment and Initial Training

Denis enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force at the No. 5 Recruiting Centre, Adelaide, on 1 January 1944, for the duration of the war and up to 12 months thereafter. His initial medical examination recorded him as 5 ft 9¼ in tall, weighing 148 lbs, with a chest measurement of 32–36½ in, dark complexion, hazel eyes, and black hair. His vision was 6/9 in both eyes.

Upon enlistment, he was mustered to Aircrew V with the rank of Aircraftman Class 2 (AC2).

Next of Kin: Initially listed as his wife, Ethel Mary Bennett, though other documents list his father at 76 Carlton Parade, Torrensville, SA.

Postings and Training

Denis underwent a series of training postings across RAAF units:

1 Jan 1944 - No. 5 Recruit Centre No. 4 Initial Training School (Victor Harbour) - Enlistment and basic training

27 Mar 1944 - No. 4 ITS No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School (Parafield) - Aircrew training

21 Apr 1944 - No. 1 EFTS No. 6 Service Flying Training School (Mallala) - Advanced training

15 Oct 1944 - No. 6 SFTS No. 14 Stores Unit - Trade duties

5 Feb 1945 - No. 14 SU No. 11 EFTS - Remuster to ground duties

5 Mar 1945 - No. 11 EFTS No. 6 SFTS - Further duties

10 May 1945 - No. 6 SFTS No. 1 Reserve Personnel Depot - Pending discharge

28 Jul 19451 - RPD4 Personnel Depot (Springbank) - Discharge processing

Rank and Mustering Changes

1 Jan 1944 – Enlisted as AC2, Aircrew V
21 Feb 1944 – Remustered AC2 (PNBW – Pilot Navigation Bombing Wireless)
29 May 1944 – Promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC), Aircrew II (P)

Character and Proficiency

Throughout his service, Denis was consistently rated "Very Good" in character, with proficiency recorded as "Superior" or "Proficient" depending on the trade classification.

Discharge

On 1 August 1945, Denis Rene Bennett was discharged from the RAAF at his own request under the provisions of Air Force Regulations 115(t) — "At own request, being surplus to present personnel requirements."

His final posting was with No. 4 Personnel Depot at Springbank, SA. He was granted payment in lieu of 8 days' recreation leave. His overall service conduct was officially recorded as "Very Good."

Post-war Life

After the war, Denis married Ethel Mary Jones on 13 April 1945. The couple resided in South Australia and had at least one son, Russell. Denis later lived at 48 Gill Street, Rosewater, SA.

Denis Rene Bennett passed away on 14 February 1991 at the Mary Potter Hospice, North Adelaide, aged 66. He was cremated and his ashes placed in Enfield Memorial Park, Eastern Niche Wall No. 2, Wall & Row KF, Site 5. His wife Ethel Mary Bennett (1924–2003) was later interred in the same cemetery in Eastern Niche Wall No. 2, Wall & Row KA, Site 2.

Service Summary

Service Number: 437897
Branch: Royal Australian Air Force
Enlistment Date: 1 January 1944
Discharge Date: 1 August 1945
Final Rank: Leading Aircraftman
Musterings: Aircrew V, Aircrew II (P)
Trade Qualifications: Bread Baker (civilian trade)
Medals/Awards: [Not specified in record]
Character: Very Good
Reason for Discharge: At own request – surplus to personnel requirements

Sources

National Archives of Australia – Service Record of Denis Rene Bennett, Series A9301, Control Symbol 437897.
South Australian Birth, Death, and Marriage Indexes.
Enfield Memorial Park burial records.
The Advertiser (Adelaide), marriage and death notices.

Biography by Trevcat 9/08/2025