BENNETT Harold Frederick George, DFM

Other Events:

• Military: England and over occupied Europe.; Served during WWII with Bomber Command, RAF as Service No. 570107, Flight Sergeant (Flight Engineer), 100 Squadron, RAF.
• Military Award: 19 Oct 1943, over Mannheim and Ludwigshafen in Germany; Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM); : 27y

Notes:

Military Award:
Supplement to The London Gazette, Pages 4618 and 4619, 19 Oct 1943

Distinguished Flying Cross.
Warrant Officer Ronald James CLARK (1043314), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 100 Squadron.

Distinguished Flying Medal.
570107 Sergeant Harold BENNETT, Royal Air Force, No. 100 Squadron.

Warrant Officer Clark and Sergeant Bennett were captain and flight engineer of an aircraft detailed to attack Mannheim and Ludwigshafen one night in September, 1943. Whilst over the target area, the bomber was illuminated by the search-lights and subjected to heavy fire from the ground defences. In spite of this, Warrant Officer Clark executed a successful bombing run. The aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, however, and one shell, which passed through the structure almost severed an aileron control rod. The bomber immediately went into a steep dive. As Warrant Officer Clark, assisted by the flight engineer, battled to pull the aircraft out of the dive, the aileron control snapped. An enemy fighter then came in to attack, causing further damage by its cannon fire. Despite this, control was regained, the fighter evaded and ultimately, Warrant Officer Clark flew the crippled bomber to base. In the face of a perilous situation, these airmen displayed great gallantry, skill and resource, setting an example worthy of great praise.


Buried:
Genesis Gardens, Garden Area 47, Bed 94, Position 025

Harold married HARDY Eileen Patricia 1937, Lincoln LIN. Eileen was born 14 May 1919, Lincoln LIN; died 21 Aug 2007; was buried Aug 2007, Bunurong Memorial Park, Bangholme VIC. [Group Sheet]

1. BENNETT Anne S. was born Between Oct 1937 and Dec 1937, Lincoln LIN.
2. BENNETT Sandra
3. BENNETT James

Other Events:

• _UID: 6DBD83ADC7E94272B60607340EC4FF8208CF
• Cremated: 16 Mar 1954, Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale VIC

Notes:

Cremated:
Melaleuca, Garden M12, Bed 4, Rose 26

Francis married ROBERTSON Edith Ethel 7 Aug 1909, Melbourne VIC. Edith was born 19 May 1890; died 11 Mar 1982, Heidelberg VIC. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Edith Ethel BENNETT
• _UID: 031CB52CF6F74F048A7649AC55C95CDA8932
• Cremated: 15 Mar 1982, Springvale Botanical Cemetery, Springvale VIC

Notes:

Cremated:
Melaleuca, Garden M12, Bed 4, Rose 26

Other Events:

• _UID: 48CFE2BB4439474EAA5CE5F73155D74E5367
• Baptism: 1843, St. James' Old Cathedral, Melbourne VIC

William married RAE Mary Annie 19 Apr 1871, Camperdown VIC. Mary was born 19 Apr 1850, Shotts LKN; died 7 Nov 1921, Port Fairy VIC. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary Annie BENNETT
• _UID: F03F2BDFC9484C5E83B52FFC815761039307

Other Events:

• Occupation: Master Mariner/Ship Owner/Farmer/Carrier
• _UID: 0B64F2F968284BBF9E085D19B0F8E448E435
• Immigration: 1838, Port Phillip VIC

Notes:

Francis BENNETT was the son of Alexander BENNETT (Naval Officer and Irish Coast Guard) and his wife Martha (----).

Francis served on many ships before coming to Australia and served as master on many vessels sailing between the Australian colonies. It is believed that he was captain of "The Black Swan" which was the first large vessel to sail up the Yarra River in what was later to become Melbourne.
____

Geelong Advertiser, 31 Dec 1894
Mr Francis Bennett, an old colonist, passed away last Friday (says the "Horsham Times") at the ripe old age of 80 years. He was a colonist of 56 years' standing, having landed in Port Philip in 1838. At that time he was connected with the sea, having an interest in several schooners trading between Hobart and Western Port. He successfully piloted the first large vessel up the Yarra, the Black Swan. Soon after he gave up the sea and settled at Kardinia Estate, Geelong, where he spent the most of his life. He came to the Wimmera in 1874, and remained there until his death. He leaves a grown family of nine.

Francis married HERD Mary 17 Jul 1839, St. James' Anglican Church, Melbourne VIC. Mary (daughter of HERD John, JP and PARK Janet) was born Abt 1822, Old Park, Belfast ANT; died 24 May 1885, Kewell VIC; was buried 25 May 1885, Horsham Cemetery, Horsham VIC. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Mary BENNETT
• _UID: 28B86F9B2B854F8080AD55CB5E236E01A6F8
• Baptism: 3 Apr 1822, Belfast ANT
• Emigration: 10 Jun 1838, Belfast ANT

Notes:

Emigration:
Arrived Sydney NSW aboard the 'Mandarin' arriving on 18 Oct 1838 - thence aboard the 'Hope' to Port Phillip VIC very soon after arriving in Sydney NSW.

Into Place: Sydney NSW

Notes:

Married:
This church is often referred to as St. James Old Cathedral, particularly after it was move brick by brick to the current sight adjacent to the Flagstaff Gardens. It became a cathedral in 1847 when the diocese of Melbourne was founded. In 1891 it reverted to being a parish church when the current St. Paul's Cathedral was consecrated.