Bennet C H Lt Royal Field Artillery
BENNET, CHARLES HOSKEN, Lieut., Royal Field Artillery, yr. a. of Col.. Ferdinando Wallis Bennet, of Fairlea, Northam, North Devon, R.E. (retired), by his wife. Evelyn Mary, dau. of the late Major-General H. S. Palmer, B.E.; 6. Belfast, 6 July, 1898; edne. Mariborough College, and the Royal Military Academy. Woolwich was gazetted 2nd Lieut. R.F.A. In Oct, 1915, being promoted Lieut. 1 July, 1917; served with the Expeditionary Force In France and Flanders from the following Aug., and died at his home in North Devon 25 Feb, 1919, from pneumonia contracted. while on active service in France. Buried at Northam, North Devon. His Major wrote: “I feel I have lost a valued friend, from whom I always received the most loyal support and assistance. I always found him keen and enthusiastic in his work, cool, and gallant in action, and he was regarded throughout the Divisional Artillery as a most capable, level-headed and thorough young officer. You may have heard of his very fine performance in the retreat from Kemmel last spring, for which he was recommended for a decoration. The circumstances were as follows: On the morning of 25 April, when the enemy made a determined attack on Kemmel, Lieut. C. H. Bennet was in command of a forward section at Slege Farm, and received orders to keep up a steady rate of fire on Verbrandenmolen. He kept his section in action, although subjected to a heavy concentration of gas and high explosive. moved about his section encouraging his men and supervising the removal of the wounded to a place of safety. Although telephonic and visual communication had failed, he was able to get much valuable information back to his battery. When his ammunition was expended, and the enemy had reached a line 400 yards from the position, 2nd Licnt. Escott brought up two teams through a heavy barrage, and these two officers then withdrew their guns, bringing them safely back to the main battery position, together with the wounded. His magnificent bravery and devotion to duty were an inspiring example to his men, and his unselfish courage at a critical time enabled him to complete the task allotted to his section before he was compelled to withdraw.” Unm.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5