Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Bennett a chimney sweep, born in the July quarter of 1861 in Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire and baptised on the 26th September in St. Wilfrid’s Church, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire (son of George Bennett, 1831-1909 and Caroline Agnes Wood, 1840) and his wife Lucy Hannah Bennett (nee Franklin, married in the April quarter of 1883 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district) a stocking framework knitter, born in the April quarter of 1862 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire (daughter of William Frederick Franklin, 1832 and Elizabeth Goodman, 1829). Walter Clement was born in in the April quarter of 1891 in Wigston Magna, his siblings were William, a stocking framework knitter, born in the January quarter of 1887, Caroline (Carrie), a stocking framework knitter, born in the January quarter of 1884, Sydney George, born in the January quarter of 1889, Annie, born in the October quarter of 1893, Ethel, born in the January quarter of 1896, Florence (Flora), born in the January quarter of 1898 and Hector Macdonald, born in the April quarter of 1900, all his siblings were born in Wigston Magna, in March 1901 the family home was at 2, North Street, All Saint’s and St. Wolstan, Wigston Magna.
In April 1911 Walter was employed as an assistant carter and was residing in the family home at Burgess Street, Wigston Magna, together with his father, a general carter, his mother and siblings, Annie, a hosiery trade worker, Ethel, a biscuit packer, Florence a biscuit trade worker and Hector, a schoolboy.
His younger brother Hector died in Hospital in Calais from ulcerative endocarditis in January 1918.
FAMILY NOTE: Walter also had an older sibling, Bertha, who was born and died in the January quarter of 1886 in Wigston Magna.
Walter enlisted into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 4th October 1915 in Toronto, Ontario and was allotted the service number 164620. He gave his place of birth as Leicester, Leicestershire, England, his next of kin was given as his father, William Bennett, residing at 711, Gladstone Avenue, Toronto, his date of birth as 2nd May 1894, his trade or calling as grocer and his marital status as single.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 21 years 5 months, height 5-feet 6½ inches, chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches his complexion was described as fair, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was black. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded]. He gave his religion as Methodist.
He was certified as fit for the Canadian Over-seas Expeditionary Force. Date 4th October 1915. Place Toronto, Canada.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Toronto, Canada on the 4th October 1915 and recorded his birthplace as Leicester, Leicestershire, England, declared age as 21 years 5 months, trade or occupation as grocer, that he was 5-feet 6½ inches in height, weighed 116 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches and his physical development was described as good. Marks indicating congenital peculiarities or previous disease, none. Enlisted at Toronto on the 4th October 1915. Joined on enlistment 109th Regiment. Transferred to 84th Battalion.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103) and various documents enclosed within his service record.
Embarked. From Halifax, Canada. Per S.S. Empress of Britain. 18/6/16.
Disembarked. In England. 28/6/16.
Transferred. From 84th Bn. to 75th Bn. Canadian Infantry. Bramshott Camp. 3/7/16 30/6/16.
Proceeded. For Overseas service. 11/8/16.
Disembarked. At Havre. 12/8/16.
Admitted. To 11th Canadian Field Ambulance, accidental injury to right foot. In the Field. 11/9/16.

Returned. To duty from Field Ambulance. In the Field. 24/9/16.
Admitted. To 6th Stationary Hospital, sprained right foot. Frevent. 1/12/16.
Transferred. To 11th Canadian Field Ambulance. In the Field. 7/12/16.
Rejoined. 75th Bn. Canadian Infantry. In the Field. 10/12/16.
Reported. Missing after action. In the Field. 1/3/17.
Confirmed. Killed in action. In the Field. 1/3/17.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
MILITARY NOTE: Walter was born and officially registered at birth in the April quarter of 1891, this would make his age upon enlistment on the 4th October 1915 as 24 years and approximately 6 months, however on enlisting he gave his age as 21 years and 5 months.
The War Diary records: 1 Mar-17 – IN THE LINE. Raid on Hun trenches in which 481, (all Ranks) took part.
The first part of the night of February 28th/March 1st was normal; the usual number of flares being fired by the enemy.
The raiding party, temporarily divided into seven columns, each corresponding to a gap in the wire, was assembled in the ZOUAVE VALLEY, and the parties each led by an officer, moved at ten-minute intervals into position in the jumping-off trench, about 15 yards behind SNARGATE. The last party was in position at 2.50am and the movements had been carried out quietly and without confusion.
The first gas wave was released at 3.00am and at 3.03am several red lights were put up by the enemy and a few rifle shots fired. At 3.06am Machine Guns opened up and swept SNARGATE and MUSIC HALL line. At 3.09am a desultory artillery bombardment opened up, chiefly in ZOUAVE VALLEY, and well behind SNARGATE. One shell only striking the jumping-off trench, killed two and wounded three.
Respirators were worn for thirty-five minutes. By about 4.15am things had quietened down to normal again, except that flares were fairly numerous. At 4.45am the wind had changed to almost NORTH, consequently no second gas wave was discharged on the 11th Infantry Brigade front. Gas released on the 12th Brigade front rolled down NO MAN’S LAND, and came back in SNARGATE, and respirators had to be again fixed. More single red flares were sent up, and slow fire from enemy rifles and Machine Guns started.
At 5.15am the assault moved forward into NO MAN’S LAND, and lay down. Double bath-mat bridges were used to cross SNARGATE and front line in seven places, by means of tapes previously laid down from jumping-off trench, through gaps in both lines of wire. The movement over the broken ground was easily accomplished.
At 5.40am our barrage opened on enemy front line trench with fairly good bursts and immediately the enemy Machine Guns started their full volume. Fairly heavy enemy artillery fire opened mostly well behind the assaulting troops.
At 5.47am the barrage moved forward and the assault advanced and tried to enter the enemy front line. This was found very heavily manned and severe casualties were inflicted on our troops by enemy bombs, rifle and Machine Gun fire, particularly on the right of our battalion frontage.
In a few isolated instances was the enemy line entered, except on the left where three parties under Lieutenants WALLACE, MOLYNEUX and SWINNERTON, although under heavy Machine Gun fire from the right succeeded in penetrating on a depth of from three hundred to four hundred yards. These three parties, together with some of the 72nd Battalion reached the craters, bombing four dug-outs on the way. When they arrived at the craters the Germans were found manning the further lips, and a stiff fight ensued. The enemy tried to rush our parties through the craters but were bombed back with severe casualties.
These parties being unsupported, and having suffered heavily, retired in an orderly manner with eight prisoners leaving many wounded, including Lieutenant SWINNERTON. These prisoners were lost to the Battalion, as these parties entered our line to the left of our frontage.
On the centre, the enemy front line was entered by a few, including the Officer Commanding Raids (Major LANGSTAFF), party, but were immediately bombed out. They brought back one wounded prisoner – an officer aspirant of the 1st Reserve 261st Regiment.
It is reported from several sources that enemy exploded small land mines in the gaps of their wire, while our men were passing through.
No evidence of gas casualties were observed in enemy’s lines.
The enemy gathered in many of our casualties from his wire, both immediately following the action and in the fog of the morning following.
RE FLARES USED:
A single red during both gas waves with no special result following.
During the attack a spiral golden rocket breaking into two green flares.
When everything was over a flare breaking into two green stars, result of which was to slacken the artillery fire.
RESULTS:
Enemy dug-outs bombed – four.
Prisoners (Wounded officer aspirant – 1).
Enemy casualties – fairly heavy.
Our casualties:
Killed Officers. Lieutenant Colonel S. G. BECKETT, Major A. M. LANGSTAFF.
Wounded and missing. Lieutenant A. F. SWINNERTON.
Wounded – Officers. Major C. D. CLARK. Lieutenant W. W. POUPORS. Lieutenant T. K. CREIGHTON. Lieutenant M. A. NEELON. Captain P. C. STANLEY. Lieutenant A. A. KIPPEN. Lieutenant F. H. McCALLUM.
Killed Other Ranks. 68. Missing 31. Wounded 112.
Circumstances of death – Lieutenant Colonel S. G. BECKETT.
Following a discharge of gas on the 4th Canadian Division front in the early morning of 1st March, an infantry attack was launched at 5.15am in which the 75th Battalion, together with other units participated.
Considerable opposition was offered, particularly in the right of the Battalion frontage, where the assault coming under heavy fire of all kinds, only succeeded in entering the enemy lines in isolated places. They were immediately bombed out with casualties, and the survivors having lost all their officers, commenced to withdraw.
Meanwhile, the left of the Battalion had met with more success end three parties penetrated eventually to the objective, losing heavily.
Lieutenant Colonel BECKETT, who, on the advance, had taken up a position in our front-line trench, the better to watch events, seeing the attack break down on the right and men returning, at once mounted the parapet, which was swept with a heavy fire, and advancing boldly, endeavoured by his example and command to check the retirement. He had proceeded only some forty yards when he fell. His death was instantaneous, a rifle or Machine Gun bullet having entered the left breast, just over the heart.
Corporal SCHISSLER, 75th Battalion, at once went out at great personal risk to render aid, but finding his Commanding Officer dead devoted his attention to bringing in other wounded.
Lieutenant Colonel BECKETT’s body was recovered at dusk that evening, and at 3.30pm on the 4th March was buried in VILLERS AU BOIS Cemetery, together with Major J. M. LANGSTAFF, and other comrades of the Battalion, each in a separate grave, which has been duly marked and recorded.
At the ceremony were the General Officer Commanding 4th Canadian Division, representative officers of the Staffs and other units, together with officers and men of the 75th Battalion.
[recognitum VIII-X-MMXXIII]

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Mother Lucy Hannah Bennett
Father William Bennett
Trade in 1916: grocer
Signed up for Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force,84th Overseas Btn, on October 4th, 1915.