Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Rushton Bennett a colliery cashier, born in the 1st quarter of 1863 in Leicester and his wife Elizabeth Naylor Bennett (nee Bee, married in the 1st quarter of 1893 in the Nottingham district), born 1865 in Nottingham. John George was born on the 4th March 1895 in Coalville, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at 21, Berrisford Street, Coalville. In April 1911 John was employed as an apprentice fitter and was residing in the family home at 21, Berrisford Street, Coalville, together with his father, a colliery cashier, his mother and siblings, Granville Bee, a schoolboy, born on the 18th March 1897, Samuel Morley, a schoolboy, born on the 20th March 1901 and Irene Bennett, born in the 2nd quarter of 1903 and baptised on the 10th August 1903 in the Parish Church, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, all his siblings were born in Coalville.
John’s father was the cashier at Whitwick Colliery, a Coalville overseer and a former member of the Urban Council. John attended the local Wesleyan School on Belvoir Road, Coalville, and was also a chorister at the Coalville Primitive Methodist Church and attended St. John the Baptist Church in Hugglescote. Upon leaving school he obtained employment at a fitter at Wootton Brothers, an internationally known Iron Works Company.
After enlistment and training he embarked on foreign service, and met his death whilst in action in Trench 35, infamously labelled as “Bomb Corner” near to Hill 60 in the Ypres Salient. In his last letter home dated the 11th July 1915 he wrote:- “I am writing to say that we are off to the trenches in all probability tonight. I don’t feel very well, but if I land up there all right I shall be better. Thanks very much for the parcel, but I don’t feel like eating much at present. The reason is I cannot keep anything down. Anyhow, one cannot always feel up to the mark, but it makes it rather bad, as you have to get along just the same, unless you are absolutely done. The weather is dull here and generally fair. We are not far from the 1st Leicester’s and I have seen several Coalville chaps – William Eames, Sam Allen, Tom Palmer etc. I can’t tell you anymore as it is posting time, so remember me to all the neighbours and give my love to the kiddies. Wish me the best of luck. Your ever loving son, George.” A good friend of George’s, Cecil Bradshaw wrote home on the misunderstanding that George had survived his wound:- “ Just as it was breaking day George got up to fire at a loop hole (he was one of our best shots), and was taking aim for another shot when he was hit. I picked him up and did my best before they carried him away. The last I heard he was in hospital and then I was told incorrectly that he had died. Tell Mr and Mrs Bennett that all in the platoon miss him very much. He is a good chap and not a bit nervy”.
John enlisted into the Territorial Force on the 15th August 1914 in Coalville, Leicestershire, and was allocated the service number 2558. He gave his place of birth as Hugglescote, Leicestershire and age as 19 years 148 days. Marital status as single and his trade or calling as fitter.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 11 inches in height, weighed 146 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 35 and 37 inches.
During his period of military service the following events of note occurred:-
Joined. At Coalville. 17/9/14.
Posted. 5th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 17/9/14.
Embodied Service. 5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 17/9/14.
Posted. 2/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 17/11/14.
Embarked. With 1/5th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. 25/2/15.
Landed. Havre. 27/2/15.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 14/7/15.
Admitted. 14th Field Ambulance. Gunshot wound to the head. In the Field. 14/7/15.
Died of wounds. 14th Field Ambulance. In the Field. 15/7/15.
Summary of Service.
Total Service. 302 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
John’s surviving service record amounts to a total of thirteen pages, and these are in poor condition with much of the hand written information relating to his army service in some cases barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into the events that took place during his period of military service.
The War Diary records: 14 July-15 – TRENCHES. Normal.
The War Diary records: 15 July-15 - TRENCHES. Part of 36 parapet damaged by enemy’s universal shells three times during day.
On Saturday, August, 7, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “Leicestershire and the War.” – Territorial’s Death from Wounds. – The casualty list issued yesterday from the War Office announces the death from wounds of Private J. G. Bennett, 5th Battalion (T.F.), Leicestershire Regiment.
On Friday August 13th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “TERRITORIAL’S DEATH FROM WOUNDS.” - The casualty list issued on Friday from the War Office announces the death from wounds Private J. G. Bennett, 5th Battalion (T.F.) Leicestershire Regiment.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday April 30th, 1915

SAW HIS COMRADE FALL

COALVILLE TERRITORIAL’S INTERESTING LETTER

The following are extracts from a letter of Private John George Bennett to his parents, Mr and Mrs J. R. Bennett, of Coalville, dated April 20th.

“The sun is shining lovely and it is quite hot today, but the nights are chilly. We have not long come out of the trenches and shall be in again by the time you get this. Our brigade band is now playing about four miles from the firing line and the artillery is quiet; it makes one forget almost there is a war on. Being in the trenches is a most trying time and we need a rest every _____ days, but they do their best for us when we come out, as can be seen by the thoughtfulness of the band. I am writing to Mrs Baldwin and Miss Drewett having received the socks. Thanks very much for the parcel; please send as many parcels as you like of eatables. I do like chocolate. Besides it being nutritious, it is handy to nibble at in the trenches, finding something nice to do.

When we are in the trenches we neither receive anything, nor send anything so I cannot write so often now. This is my third letter to you, the two previous ones being destroyed through having to meet yours waiting for me. I write as often as possible. You keep writing for it is such a pleasure to have a lot of news from home. I don’t know what you would think about the havoc wrought by big guns near the fighting, every house is blown to bits and dead bodies lie about where it is dangerous to bury them; most are between our lines and the Germans which are 100 yards apart here. Convey to Mr S. Boot my sincere sympathy about the death of Sam. I was not far away when he was shot through the head and may tell him where Sam is buried after the war. It may be some condolence to his father to know he was doing his best and was buried properly with the church rites. I felt it a bit myself, knowing him since we were kids.

We do see life here and things that peaceful Coalville people would be horrified and faint at, we take not the slightest notice of now.

Tell Mr Holmes I will write a good letter soon and thank him for his card and good wishes. Miss _______ has sent me some writing material now so I shall need none for a week or two unless I get it pinched. Kind regards to the other neighbours and all who ask about me. I read Mr Guttery’s lecture in the “Coalville Times.” I hope you have a prosperous anniversary day. I should have liked to have been with you but impossible. Give 5s of my money as subscription.

Keep on wishing me good luck and I know I shall be permitted to see you again. Tell Morley we live sometimes in little places in the ground that would just suit a boy like him, also there are plenty of nice fireworks here at night.”

Coalville Times article - Friday July 30th 1915

Coalville Territorial Killed - Another of the First Fifty.

It is with much regret that we record the death of Private George Bennett, of the 1/5th Leicestershire Territorial Regiment, who was killed in action on Thursday, July 15th. He was the eldest son of Mr Joseph R. Bennett, of Berrisford Street, Coalville, cashier at the Whitwick Colliery, one of the Coalville overseers and a former member of the Urban Council.

The sad news was conveyed in a letter dated July 23rd from the Territorial Forces Record Office, Lichfield, in which it was stated; “It is my painful duty to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of No. 2558, Pte. J. G. Bennett, of the 1/5th battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, which occurred in the field on July 15th, 1915, and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council on your loss. The cause of death was wounds.”
Another letter received by Mr and Mrs Bennett is as follows:

“The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow.”

KITCHENER

Writing to his parents, Mr and Mrs Bradshaw, of Gutteridge Street, Coalville, Pte. Cecil Bradshaw, a friend of the deceased in the same regiment says: “I was pleased to hear of my pal, George Bennett. We heard here he was dead. I had been out with him sometime and we always shared together with our food and things. We were separated when we got to the trenches, but he asked the corporal to put him in the same place as me, which he did. Just as it was breaking day he got up to fire at a loop-hole (he was one of our best shots) and was taking aim for another shot when he was hit. I picked him up and did my best for him until they carried him away. The last I heard of him was that he was in hospital. Tell Mr and Mrs Bennett that all in the platoon miss George very much. He was a good chap and not a bit nervy.”

Apparently when writing this letter, Bradshaw was under the impression that the report that Bennett had died from his wounds was untrue.

Before joining the Territorials in August, Pte. Bennett was employed as a fitter at Messrs. Wootton Bros. Works and a nice letter has been written to his parents by Mr John Wootton, who says:

“Dear Mr Bennett, - I am very sorry to learn of the sad loss you have sustained in the death of your son and I deeply sympathise with you all. While the lad was with us in our shops we found him a good boy and always attentive to his duties and hoped in the near future to see him return. You have the satisfaction of knowing that he did his duty here, and as a man and a soldier, and I trust you will be able to let this console you. Kindest regards to all, yours sincerely.”

John Wootton.

The deceased soldier spent his 20th birthday in trenches, being 20 years of age on April 3rd last. He had been at the front for about 4 1/2 months, having left England for France at the end of February. He was one of the first fifty to leave Coalville for Luton at the end of October.

In his last letter home, dated July 11th – four days before he was killed – Pte Bennett said he hoped they were all well and continued, “I am writing to say that we are off to the trenches in all probability tonight. I don’t feel very well, but if I land up there all right I think I shall be better. Thanks very much for the parcel, but I don’t feel like eating much at present. In fact, I have not eaten much for three days, but am beginning to feel much better. The reason I don’t eat is not because I feel very bad, but I can’t keep anything down. Anyhow, one can’t always feel up to the mark, but it makes it rather bad as you have to get along just the same unless you are absolutely done. The weather is dull here, and generally fair. We are not far from the 1st Leicesters and I have seen several Coalville chaps – William Eames, Sam Allen, Tom Palmer, etc. I can’t tell you more as it is post time. So remember me to all neighbours, give my love to the kiddies, and wish me best of luck.”

Pte. Bennett was an old scholar at the Coalville Primitive Methodist Church and a member of the choir there.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Coalville Times article - Friday July 30th, 1920

DID YOU KNOW

Mrs J. R. Bennett, of Coalville, accompanied by her son, is on a visit to France and Belgium for the purpose of seeing the grave, near Ypres, of her eldest son, George, who fell in action?

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from the Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 5/9/2017