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| Date |
Information |
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| 01/01/2021 |
Around 1910 the family moved to Primrose Hill, Castlecaulfield, |
| 01/01/2021 |
Captain William Henry David Bennett is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial and on the WWI Roll of Honour in Castlecaulfield Church of Ireland. |
| 01/01/2021 |
William Henry David Bennett was the son of William Samuel and Annie Bennett. |
| 01/01/2021 |
William Bennett was born on 3rd January 1890 at Balinode, County Monaghan. He was one of at least five children, all born in County Monaghan. |
| 01/01/2021 |
The family cannot be located in the 1901 census, but it seems they were still living in County Monaghan, in the Ballinode area. |
| 01/01/2021 |
William joined the Royal Irish Constabulary, and served for five years, stationed in Belfast and Londonderry. |
| 01/01/2021 |
The 1911 census does not list William Henry as living with the family at house 2 in Ennish, Clonaneese, County Tyrone. William’s father was a farmer and a Royal Irish Constabulary pensioner. |
| 01/01/2021 |
The 1911 census lists William as a policeman lodging at barracks in Castlerock Town, Articlave, County Londonderry. |
| 01/01/2021 |
William’s father became a Justice of the Peace in Castlecaulfield. |
| 01/01/2021 |
The CWGC record Captain William Henry David Bennett as the husband of Ida Bennett of Ballywildrick, Macosquin, Coleraine, Ireland |
| 01/01/2021 |
Known family: William Samuel Bennett, Annie Bennett, William Henry David Bennett (born 3rd January 1890), Hugh John Bennett (born about 1892), Annie Eliza Bennett (born about 1895), Edith Bennett (born about 1898), Essie W Bennett (born about 1902). |
| 15/08/2018 |
Sergeant W H Bennett, of the Royal Highlanders of Canada, son of ex-Sergeant Bennett, R.I.C., formerly of Glasslough, County Monaghan, and now residing at Primrose Hill, Dungannon, is in hospital in Cardiff, suffering from a rifle wound received near Ypres on 23rd April, which penetrated the thigh and abdomen. Writing to his father her states:- ‘Our battalion of the Canadians went into the trenches on Wednesday night, 21st April, relieving the 1st Battalion, who had taken them over from a French regiment a few days previously. These trenches were in poor condition, and we at once got to work to get them made a little safer. Eighty yards separated us from the German trenches, and the intervening space was strewn with German dead. At dawn we knocked off, and stood to arms. Throughout the day everything was quiet , but at 5pm we were subject to a terrible bombardment, which continued without cessation for several hours. Fortunately the failed to hit the section of trench held by my platoon, and at 8pm not a man had been wounded; but just when it became dark the evil news filtered through. Groups of Turcos filed through our lines on their way to the rear, and the news soon spread that they had to retire as they had been submitted to heavy shell fire and that sulphuric bombs had been used. We knew we were in for a hot time because at that particular point the line formation resembled a giant horseshoe, so that when the Germans poured through the breach they were right behind us. So fierce was the shell fire that we did not expect reinforcements, and we knew we were expected to hang on and we did it. The news that came through was anything but encouraging. Major Norsworthy, the finest officer in our battalion, had been killed; four of our guns had been captured; sulphuric bombs were been used; and still we hung on – there was nothing else to do. Our left had been swung back a little to prevent the enemy front coming from behind, and at a bout 5am this portion of the line was reinforced by one company of the Buffs, who reached our trenches by a circuitous route. All day on Friday we held on, although the bombardment was much fiercer than on the previous day. Men were being wounded all around, and barbed wire entanglements and parapets were blown up in the air. Hourly, we waited for their infantry to attack; in fact we hoped for it, as fighting at close quarters would have been more in our line. Still the attack was never made, and at nightfall we carried out our wounded. Then we received orders to retire our left flank even further, which necessitated the digging of new trenches, and we commenced work about 11pm. We had finished just as dawn was breaking, and immediately the shelling commenced. Our trench was now at right angles to the German lines – i.e. their first position, but there were many more on our front. We were enfiladed by shell fire, and at 7am our trench was practically blown to pieces. Then what was left of us was ordered to retire on the Second Brigade, and I got shot in the left thigh. So far as I was concerned the fight was over. I was sorry because I would have liked to have seen a good hand to hand fight between their infantry and ours. However that was one thing the Germans had always avoided since the war began. He had a wholesome respect for the British bayonet, and never allows it to come within reach of him if he can possibly avoid it. I expect it is against the principles of his cultured teaching to like such a crude weapon. |
| 15/08/2018 |
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| 15/08/2018 |
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated 15th May 1915: The Canadians Heroism – Graphic description by Dungannon Man |
| 14/04/2017 |
Captain William Henry David Bennett is buried in Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. |
| 14/04/2017 |
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| 14/04/2017 |
The Canadian Circumstances of Death Register records that Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Bennett was killed in action on 15th August 1917 at Lens. |
| 14/04/2017 |
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| 24/11/2016 |
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 4th February 1916: |
| 24/11/2016 |
Mr W H D Bennett, who has been gazetted as lieutenant in the 13th Canadian Infantry (Royal Highlanders of Canada), is the elder son of Mr W S Bennett, Primrose Hill, Castlecaulfield. He was married a few days ago in Bangor to Miss Ira Kathleen, youngest daughter of the late Mr Thomas Millen, Ballywildrick, Macosquin. |
| 24/11/2016 |
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| 13/11/2016 |
‘About recruiting, most of us out here fail to understand the attitude of the young men at home with regard to enlistment. Only last week we read hundreds of young men being refused a passage to the United States because they were running away from serving their country. To those poor fellows, and all like them, we in the trenches extend our sincere and heartfelt sympathy, because they are branding themselves and their descendants as cowards for all time by running away from imaginary dangers. When we look at the sun the shadow is behind us; so with danger it is only when we turn away from it that it is to be feared. I feel certain that the boys at home do not know what life is like out here. They overrate the dangers and hardships; else we would have such a stream of recruits as would tax Lord Kitchener’s powers to handle. If you happen to meet with any of these people who are hanging back, just let them know what our opinions are on the subject. If those poor weak-hearted creatures could only realise it, they are missing the time of their lives. Plenty of good warm clothes, lots to eat and to drink, with just sufficient danger thrown in to make life interesting. This soldiering has become the greatest game in the world, and work is provided for every man according to his inclination. The man who is fond of horses can join the artillery, cavalry of battalion transport; the man for a taste for mechanics can find a place in the mechanical support; the R.A.M.C. opens up a way for the man with medical inclinations, and so on. But a far more interesting work can be found for a man who loves excitement – I mean the man who is fond of attending football meetings, race meetings etc. If he wants excitement in its highest form, all he has got to do is volunteer for patrol work between the two lines of trenches. There it is that a man feels he is doing a man’s work. He knows that the Germans are engaged in the same work and that it is up to him to prove the superiority of the Lion over the Eagle.’ |
| 13/11/2016 |
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 30th November 1915: Attractions of Active Service – Tyrone Soldier’s Interesting Letter |
| 13/11/2016 |
Sergeant Harry Bennett, Royal Highlanders of Canada, who was severely wounded some time ago at Ypres, has again resumed active service and, writing to his father, Mr W S Bennett, Primrose Hill, Castlecaulfield, County Tyrone, says:- |
| 13/11/2016 |
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| 20/02/2016 |
Our battalion of the Canadians went into the trenches on Wednesday night, 21st April, relieving the first battalion, who had taken them over from a French regiment a few days previously. These trenches were in poor condition, and we at once got to work to get them made a little safer. Eighty yards separated us from the German trenches, and the intervening space was strewn with German dead. At dawn we knocked off, and stood to arms. Throughout the day everything was quiet , but at 5pm we were subject to a terrible bombardment, which continued without cessation for several hours. Fortunately the failed to hit the section of trench held by my platoon, and at 8pm not a man had been wounded; but just when it became dark the evil news filtered through. Groups of Turcos filed through our lines on their way to the rear, and the news soon spread that they had to retire as they had been submitted to heavy shell fire and that sulphuric bombs had been used. We knew we were in for a hot time because at that particular point the line formation resembled a giant horseshoe, so that when the Germans poured through the breach they were right behind us. So fierce was the shell fire that we did not expect reinforcements, and we knew we were expected to hang on and we did it. The news that came through was anything but encouraging. Major Norsworthy, the finest officer in our battalion, had been killed; four of our guns had been captured; sulphuric bombs were been used; and still we hung on – there was nothing else to do. Our left had been swung back a little to prevent the enemy front coming from behind, and at a bout 5am this portion of the line was reinforced by one company of the Buffs, who reached our trenches by a circuitous route. All day on Friday we held on, although the bombardment was much fiercer than on the previous day. Men were being wounded all around, and barbed wire entanglements and parapets were blown up in the air. Slowly, we waited for their infantry to attack; in fact we hoped for it, as fighting at close quarters would have been more in our line. Still the attack was never made, and at nightfall we carried out our wounded. Then we received orders to retire our left flank even further, which necessitated the digging of new trenches, and we commenced work about 11pm. We had finished just as dawn was breaking, and immediately the shelling commenced. Our trench was now at right angles to the German lines – i.e. their first position, but there were many more on our front. We were enfiladed by shell fire, and at 7am our trench was practically blown to pieces. Then what was left of us was ordered to retire on the Second Brigade, and I got shot in the left thigh. |
| 20/02/2016 |
Sergeant W H Bennett, of the Royal Highlanders of Canada, son of ex-Sergeant Bennett, R.I.C., formerly of Glasslough, County Monaghan, and now residing at Primrose Hill, Dungannon, is in hospital in Cardiff, suffering from a rifle wound received near Ypres on 23rd April. Writing to his father her states:- |
| 20/02/2016 |
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| 20/02/2016 |
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 11th May 1915: The Canadians Stand at Presy – Description by a Dungannon Man |
| 10/01/2016 |
'All the villages we marched through have been in German hands at some period or other, and one can scarcely believe that any human beings could be guilty of the deeds attributed to them. Unfortunately there is ample evidence to prove many of the statements that are being made, particularly with regard to women; in one village there is a woman who became insane through the treatment she received. No woman, old or young, rich or poor, married or single, seems to have escaped. The people in this part of the country seem to be very far behind the times; in country places the sanitary conditions are wretched in the extreme, and the methods of labour are antiquated, the thread mill being commonly used. I have seen a dog been used to drive a churning machine. In the towns things are very different.' |
| 10/01/2016 |
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 5th April 1915: Ulsterman on German Atrocities |
| 10/01/2016 |
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| 10/01/2016 |
Sergeant W H Bennett, Canadian Highlanders, a North of Ireland man, who has been residing in Canada for some time, in the course of a letter to a friend in Templepatrick says:- |
| 10/01/2016 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
William Henry David Bennett served 15 months with the 5th Royal Highlanders of Canada, Canadian Militia. |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
From the Tyrone Courier dated 9th December 1915: |
| 30/12/2015 |
Sergeant Harry Bennett, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and formerly with Belfast Police force, has written to his relatives at Primrose Hill, Castlecaulfield, intimating that he was shot through the thigh during the recent fighting north of Ypres, where the Canadian contingent so distinguished themselves, and is now in hospital in Cardiff. |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
From Tyrone Courier dated 6th May 1915 - Castlecaulfield Man wounded |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
William is also listed on the family plot in Castlecaulfield. His inscription reads: ‘Captain William Henry David Bennett who died on active service in France, 15 August 1917 aged 27 years interred Mazingarbe Cemetery.’ |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
His father, William Samuel Bennett, Primrose Hill, Castlecaulfield, County Tyrone, Ireland was listed as his next of kin. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Captain William Henry David Bennett was serving with the 13th Battalion of the Canadian Infantry when he was killed in action by shell fire during the attack on Hill 70 on 15th August 1917, age 27. |
| 30/12/2015 |
He returned to France in October 1915, and had been in the fighting line since taking part in the capture of Vimy Ridge and several other important engagements. He was promoted to a Lieutenancy. |
| 30/12/2015 |
William had worked as a relief clerk with C.D.R before enlisting on 23rd September 1914 at Valcartier, Quebec. |
| 30/12/2015 |
He resided at Montreal for some years, and on the outbreak of war offered his services. |
| 30/12/2015 |
William left the R.I.C. on receiving an important appointment in the Canadian Pacific Railway (C.P.R.) and emigrated to Canada. |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
William’s brother, Hugh John Bennett, went on to be a J.P. as well. |
| 30/12/2015 |
He had been promoted to Captain by the time of his death. |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
BENNETT-MILLEN: 24 January 1916, at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Bangor, by the Rev R J Morrell, W Henry Bennett, Lieutenant, Royal Highlanders of Canada, eldest son of W S Bennett, Primrose Hill, Castlecaulfield, to Ida Kathleen, youngest daughter of the late Thomas Millen, Ballywildrick, Macosquin (Coleraine). |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
From the Mid Ulster Mail dated Saturday 29th January 1916: Marriage |
| 30/12/2015 |
At Dungannon Board of Guardians on Thursday, Mr Watson moved the following resolution :- 'That we, the Dungannon Board of Guardians, having heard with much regret of the death of Major W H D Bennett of the Royal Canadian Highlanders, killed in France while gallantly leading his men in battle, do tender to his widow, parents and friends, our heartfelt sympathy in their great bereavement.' Major Bennett was the son of Mr W S Bennett, a much respected member of this Board, and was severely wounded at St Julien in April 1915 and had been in the fighting line since October of the same year, taking part in the capture of Vimy Ridge, and it was on the fourth day of a terrible battle that this brave officer, a gallant Ulsterman, sacrificed his life for King and country in the cause of justice and liberty. Mr Harkin, seconding, said that Major Bennett was one of many from this locality who had made the supreme sacrifice. Mr Erskine also associated himself with the resolution which was passed in silence with the members standing. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Sergeant W H D Bennett, Royal Highlanders of Canada, who is now back at the front again with his regiment, having recovered from severe wounds he received at St Julien in April last, has been promoted to a Lieutenancy. Lieut. Bennett, who is a son of Mr William S Bennett, Primrose Hill, Castlecaulfield, was in Canada at the outbreak of hostilities and promptly threw up his position to volunteer. |
| 30/12/2015 |
From the Tyrone Courier and News dated Thursday 30 August 1917: Guardians Sympathy with Bereaved Member |
| 30/12/2015 |
From the Tyrone Courier dated 10th February 1916: |
| 30/12/2015 |
On 24th January 1916, Lieutenant Bennett was married in Bangor to Miss Ida Kathleen Millen, youngest daughter of the late Thomas Millen of Knockmult House, Ballywildrick, Macosquin, Coleraine. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Captain W H D Bennett, Royal Canadian Highlanders, killed in action, is the eldest son of Mr William S Bennett, Primrose Hill, Castlecaulfield, Dungannon, and formerly of Glasslough, County Monaghan. The deceased officer was formerly a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C.), stationed in Belfast and Londonderry, and left the Force on receiving an important appointment in the Canadian Pacific Railway (C.P.R.). He resided at Montreal for some years, and on the outbreak of war offered his services. He has seen considerable fighting since January 1915, and in April of that year was severely injured at St Julien. He returned to France in October 1915, and had been in the fighting line since taking part in the capture of Vimy Ridge and several other important engagements. |
| 30/12/2015 |
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| 30/12/2015 |
From the Tyrone Courier dated Thursday 23 August 1917: Dungannon Canadian Killed |
| 30/12/2015 |
Sergeant Bennett has seen considerable fighting since January 1915 and in April of that year was severely injured at St Julien when he was shot through the thigh during fighting north of Ypres, and was removed to hospital in Cardiff. |
| 30/12/2015 |
Mr W.H.D Bennett, who is the elder son of Mr Wm S Bennett, Primrose Hill, Castlecaulfield, was gazetted last week lieutenant in the 13th Canadian Infantry (Royal Highlanders of Canada). Lieutenant Bennett had been in business in Montreal on the outbreak of war, and promptly volunteered, and was given the rank of Sergeant. He accompanied the First Canadian Expeditionary Force to Belgium, and was wounded in St Julien in April last, and has been in hospital for some time. He formerly served on the R.I.C., and had been stationed in Belfast before emigrating to the Dominion. He was married a few weeks ago in Bangor to Miss Ida Kathleen, youngest daughter of the late Thomas Millen, Ballywildrick, Mocasquin, and has returned to the front again. |
| 30/12/2015 |
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