New Member

[mcmartyb]

Hello, I am a new member trying to trace the family tree.

It seems harder to trace family members from 1900 to the 1950s, than the centuries prior, but I find myself here.
My Great grandfather was Henry Abraham Bennett 14/13624, serving at first with the 14th and then transferring to the 11th on 5/9/15? Does anyone know if he would have been in Gallipoli campaign or not? Was he a reinforcment to the 11th after the fighting? As it happens he survived the war, but we lose track of him just after it. My grandfather, when alive, reputedly hardly mentioned Henry, so for us it would be fantastic to piece his service (good or bad) during the war. Any help/directions to him or even pictures of the battalions he was in would be much appreciated.

regards Martin Bennett

[kingo]

Your Gt Grandfather enlisted on the 9-11/1914 and did, indeed serve in Gallipoli with the 11th Manchesters, going overseas on 17/9/1915. He was 30 years old when he enlisted and already married to Alice (nee Murgatroyd Married 9/5/1918 at Oldham registry office). His Daughter Alice was born 16/1/10, son Abraham 26/6/11 and John 3/3/16.At some stage they must have moved to Burnley,as by 6/8/1918 they were living at 2, Emmett Court, Burnley before moving to 4 Greens Place, Platting Lane, Rochdale. By the time Henry was discharged on the 9/4/1919 he gave his address as 33, Martha Street, Oldham. On discharge, he had attained the rank of Colour Sergeant. Follow this link;http://www.themanchesters.org/11th%20batt.htm for more info on the 11th Battalion.

[mcmartyb]

Many thanks. My father and I did debate whether he would have served in Gallipoli or whether he was attached/part of reinforcements when they arrived in Egypt.  If he was attached in September he would n't have been in Gallipoli very long? Am I right in saying that?

I believe he may have been in hopsital in Egypt , then went on to France. There may have been a visit back to england in 1917, but we are still piecing the puzzle. He seems to have been one of the lucky ones to survive, so many thanks.

It is now a matter of finding where he went and the other children ended up , except for my own grandfather Abraham... No one knows or is here now to tell us.

[kingo]

He landed in Marseille on the 11th July 1916 and proceed to the Western Front with the 11th Battalion. He was granted leave to the UK from 4th-14th July 1917 and on his return was admitted to the 34th Field Ambulance on the 26/6/1917 and then on to the 58th General Hospital at St Omer.

[mcmartyb]

His ten day leave may have resulted in another son Fred in 1918 in Burnley.

[mack]

his two brothers,luke and john also survived the war,i dont know which branch of the armed forces that john was serving in,but he was still serving in 1918,luke was one of the oldham comrades

sgt 15115 luke bennett
enlisted 26-1-15
24th manchesters
D.coy,16th platoon
aged 27
occupation spinner
33 martha st,oldham[brother john also living here]
son of abraham+elizabeth
went to france on 8-11-15
1-2-16 admitted to the 22nd field ambulance and then to the 5th casualty clearing station the same day[ICT of the foot]
rejoined his battalion on 24-2-16
26-11-16,admitted to the 3rd casualty clearing station with myalgia
22-3-17 admitted to the 13th field ambulance with diarrhoea
4-7-17 promoted to sgt in place of sgt 14072 frank stott who was killed the previous day
2-3-18 admitted to the 22nd field ambulance[now in italy] with ICT of the forearm
7-7-18 sent home on leave
1-4-19,transferred to the army reserve

luke was henrys best man when he married

mack

[mack]

hiya martin.
henry was admitted to the government hospital at tanta on 22-10-15,cause unknown,he was then sent to the convalescent hospital at luxor on 21-11-15.

mack

[mcmartyb]

Many thanks, knew nothing of Luke or John.

[harribobs]

have a look at the 11th battalion potted history here

11th battalion

chris

[mcmartyb]

Is there any way of knowing which company/platoon that Henry was in ?  regards Martin

[mcmartyb]

Is it possible to know from war records if John or Luke had wifes? Whether their pay was sent home to someone in the UK?

[tonyrod]

hi martin, on their war records it should have the next of kin listed, thats if they were not lost in ww2. tonyrod

[migky]

As far as i could see from his service records, he only mentions his brother John as next of kin. No wife or differant address, only the 33 Martha street Oldham.

Migky 

[mcmartyb]

John's Pension records show he was married no children. In 1915 - and 42 yrs old

It mentions - serial 80? RG 397 No. 010778 Army Ordance Corps ?  What ever that is it looks like he was in France 1917.

Also in the records , under have you ever served before, it states yes 5th Manchester 10 years of time expired? Would this mean he was in service 1905 and before? Can someone explain that?

Henry A. I have most of that now , many thanks, but don't know what happened to him after the war.

Luke was the Oldham 24 Bttn.


Many thanks for input. Still would appreciate if anyone knows of photos for the 11th or the Oldham men?

[kingo]

Martin, Luke Bennett is somewhere on this photo. The photos were not indexed-so we don't know where. (Click on photo to enlarge)