Bennett, Hamilton
Private
No. 32413, Royal Scots Fusiliers transferred to
No. 104993, 213th Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry)
Killed in action on Thursday 11 October 1917 (aged 21)
Buried:
Strand Military Cemetery, Belgium (Grave IX. P. 2)
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Newtownards and District War Memorial
Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) Roll of Honour 1914 – 1919
for Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church Newtownards
Brother of Corporal Edward Bennett (No. 18/578)
BIOGRAPHY
Hamilton Bennett was born on 26 June 1896 in Bridge Street, Downpatrick and he was the third son of John and Annabella Bennett (nee Boland) who were married on 12 October 1891 in Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church Newtownards. John Bennett, a labourer from Newtownards, was a son of James Bennett, a labourer. Annabella Boland from Newtownards was a daughter of Robert Boland, a labourer.
The Bennett family lived in Downpatrick before moving to Frederick Street, Newtownards.
John Bennett worked as a groom and he and Annabella had six children:
James (born 4 July 1892 in Kinlis Street, Banbridge)
Robert (born 30 September 1893 in Bridge Street, Downpatrick)
John (born around 1894/1895)
Hamilton (born 26 June 1896 in Bridge Street, Downpatrick)
Edward (born 22 November 1897 in Bridge Street, Downpatrick)
Isabella (born 11 May 1899 in Bridge Street, Downpatrick)
Annabella Bennett was widowed when John died on 8 March 1899 and she lived at 11 Pound Street, Newtownards.
Hamilton Bennett enlisted in Stevenston, Ayr.
He joined the Royal Scots Fusiliers (No. 32413) and was subsequently transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (No. 104993).
Major Ruard commanded the Section and it was he who wrote to Hamilton’s mother to express his condolences and to tell her that Private Hamilton Bennett had been killed at 3.00 am on 11 October 1917 whilst on sentry duty.
Hamilton Bennett was engaged to be married and Major Ruard asked for his condolences to be conveyed to Hamilton’s fiancée.
Corporal William Campbell also wrote a letter of sympathy to Hamilton’s mother.
He told her that Hamilton had been killed by an exploding shell and that his death had been instantaneous.
His comrades buried him close to the gun position where he fell and they placed a cross to mark the spot.
Private Hamilton Bennett had made a will and his property and effects were received by his mother.
She placed a For King and Country notice in the Newtownards Chronicle and it contained the verse:
But we hope to meet in heaven above,
On that eternal shore,
We hope to meet him in that land –
The land for rich and poor –
Where peace shall reign eternally,
And wars shall be no more.
Private Hamilton Bennett (No. 104993) was 21 when he died, and he was buried in Strand Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Private Hamilton Bennett (No. 104993) is commemorated on Newtownards and District War Memorial and in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland (PCI) Roll of Honour 1914 – 1919 for Greenwell Street Presbyterian Church Newtownards.