BENNETT John

Other Events:

• Occupation: Farmer
• _UID: 4E36332A56404594BF2BCA81BC1049EF89AB
• Baptism: 15 Mar 1846, Christ Church, Geelong VIC

Notes:

Reference: The Sun News Pictorial, 16 Feb 1935

Old Resident Returns for 89th. Birthday

Tales of Black Thursday in District

Was Duke's Escort

Geelong - Friday - Mr. John Bennett who was born at Highton near Geelong on February 16, 1846 has returned to Geelong to celebrate with his niece, Mrs. W. Paisley of Latrobe Terrace, Chilwell, today, the 89th. anniversary of his birthday.

He has never been out of Victoria but he has had the compensations of seeing a great deal of his native State, he said today and he has vivid recollections of some of its important happenings.

He remembers well the fires of Black Thursday. Then five years old, he was sent to the pump stand on the Barwon River for protection and he remained there for most of the day, he stated. His father and mother moved furniture from their home but later their furniture was destroyed and the house left untouched.

Was Keen Horseman

As a young man, he was a keen horseman. Mr. Bennett said he was one of the few chosen to act as escort to the Duke of Edinburgh when he travelled from Geelong to Pettival. The escort met the Duke at the Barwon Bridge. " I would have told the Duke of Gloucester of that incident if I had had the opportunity" remarked Mr. Bennett.

After leaving Geelong in the early seventies Mr. Bennett was with the survey camp that carried out work in the Camperdown and Port Campbell district. Afterwards he took up land in the Wimmera district and spent many years farming. Mr. Bennett has lived in retirement for many years. He lives with his brother at Emerald but often visits Geelong.