15042
BENNETT, William Patrick
| Service Numbers: | 1887, S212705 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 November 1939 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 27th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Millicent, SA, 14 August 1893 |
| Home Town: | Prospect (SA), Prospect, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Laborer |
| Died: | Circumstances of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section) Section: KO, Road: 4, Site No: 23 |
| Memorials: | Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Naracoorte and District Town Hall Honour Board WW1 |
World War 1 Service
| 26 Aug 1915: | Embarked Private, 1887, 27th Infantry Battalion, RMS Morea, Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|
| 26 Aug 1915: | Involvement Private, 1887, 27th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: RMS Morea embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Lance Corporal, 1887, 27th Infantry Battalion |
World War 2 Service
| 17 Nov 1939: | Involvement Sergeant, S212705 | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Nov 1939: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Sergeant, S212705 | |
| 17 Nov 1939: | Enlisted Keswick, SA | |
| 17 Dec 1945: | Discharged | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Giselle Gobbie
William Patrick Bennett was born August 14, 1893, in Millicent, SA. He was 21 and 8 months old when he enlisted in World War 1, his enlistment date was the 19 May 1915. His Mother, Mrs Susana Bennett, lived in Naracoorte, South Australia. She was his next of kin on his Attestation Papers. His place of enlistment was Keswick, and his enlistment rank was Private. He was a member of the 27th Battalion and his previous occupation was a Laborer. William was single at the time of his departure and was a Roman Catholic. He was 5 foot 10 inches, he weighed in at 163 lbs. He had a dark complexion, hazel eyes, and dark hair.
After enlisting at Keswick on 19th May 1915, he departed with his unit to Alexandria on the 10th of January 1916. He was absent without leave on the 29th January 1916, he was docked one day's pay and held in 48-hour detention. Again he was AWL the next month on the 21st of February 1916. He was fined four days’ pay and he was given a No 2 field punishment for 14 days (a Number two field punishment is when ankles and hands are fettered but not to a fixed object). He left for recreational leave on the 16th of March 1916, and he arrived back at camp on the 21st of March 1916.
On the 6th of March 1916, while in training, William was disciplined for disobeying orders. He was once again given a Number 2 field punishment this time for seven days, and he was docked one days’ pay. He arrived late to the parade on the 9th of March 1916, he was docked one day’s pay. On the 25th of March 1916, he was absent from the parade, aand received 3 days of field punishment.
William was wounded in action on the 4th of August 1916, fighting in war with the 27th Battalion. He took a gunshot wound to his chest. He was taken away by No 2 Field Ambulance, on the 5th of August 1916. He was treated at No 3 casualty clearing on the 6th of August 1916. He was transferred to the number 22 General Hospital in France. He was then transferred to England arriving on the 15th of August 1916. His dagnosis was gunshot wound to left chest sever. the following month after William had recovered, he was granted furlough on 14th September 1916. He reported to No 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs after his leave on 29 September 1916.
William was AWL in Rolleston England from the 24th of February 1917 to 3rd of March 1917, where he was caught by the military police. He was docked 14 days’ pay then was increased to 21 days’ pay.
He was promoted to a lance corporal on the 24th of September 1917.
He took recreational leave to France on the 16th of January 1918 to the 4th of February 1918.
On the 11th of June 1918, he was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the head and ended up in hospital again in England. He remained in hospital until 7 August 1918 when he report to the No 4 Command Depot. Two months later he was back in hospital with an infection.
Williams returned to Australia on the ship 'Ceramic' 25th January 1919 and was discharged from the AIF 6th May 1919. He married Barbara in 1921 and together they had three children; Kelvin, Elaine, and Ronda.
William also served during World War 2, enlisting on the 17 of November 1939 and serving until his discharge 17th of December 1945 after the war ended. During his service, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant.
William Patrick Bennett passed away on the 6th of September 1947, in Goodwood and is buried in West Terrace Cemetery (AIF Section), Australia.
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