Sydney Charles Bennett (1886 - 1916)

Born 14 Nov 1886 in Wallaroo, Colony of South Australia

Husband of Ruby Christina (Spencer) Beveridge — married 26 May 1916 in Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia

Died 9 Nov 1916 at age 29 in France

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Biography

Sydney Bennett was born in the Colony of South Australia (1836-1900)

Private Sydney Bennett served in the Australian Imperial Force in World War I
Service started: 28 Jan 1916
Unit(s): 13/23 Infantry Battalion
Service ended: 9 Nov 1916

Sydney Charles BENNETT was born on 14 November 1886 in Wallaroo, Colony of South Australia^[1]. His parents were Thomas BENNETT and Jane WARE.

28 January 1916, Sydney enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Melbourne, Victoria; Service number: 5121^[2]. He was assigned to the 13/23 Battalion and attained the rank of Private.

Ruby Christina SPENCER and Sydney Charles BENNETT were married prior to his being shipped out on 26 May 1916 in Abbotsford, Victoria, Australia^[3].

Marriage Notice 11 Aug 1916^[4]

BENNETT—SPENCER.—On May 26, 1916, at Abbotsford, Melbourne, by the Rev. B. R. Tol, Private Sidney Charles, the youngest son of the Ann and Albert Bennett, of Wallroo, S.A., to Ruby Christina, the eldest daughter of John and Christina Spencer, of Hobart.

Sydney embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A26 Armadale on 19 July 1916 for service in France.

Private Sydney Bennett was killed in action during World War I.

Ruby and Sydney's daughter was born after his death

• Valma Ruby BENNETT 1917–1976

Research Notes

Anomalies: Sydney's parents

• The marriage notice was probably posted by Ruby after Sydney had left for France which could explain why his parents names were incorrectly listed.
• War Records
  • A number of different people are mentioned on Sydney's file
    • Page 1: Next of kin: Brother - Walter John BENNETT
    • Page 9: Next of kin: Brother - Albert BENNETT (Parents listed as deceased)
    • Page 13: Cousin - Sarah CHIDZZEY (Dimboola, Vic)
    • Page 17: Wife listed as Ruby Christina BENNETT (later JONES)
  • It appears that Sydney never got around to changing his next of kin. One of Sydney's brothers in South Australia was notified of his death.
  • A number of letters to the Army are contained in the file
    • Page 55: 4 Feb 1917 Letter from wife, Ruby had received papers for a pension - this was how she found out Sydney had died. She had left her new address at the Barracks in Melbourne before moving to Tasmania (Probably closer to her own family)
    • Page 53: 18 Feb 1917 Letter from wife, Ruby had "heard" her husband was dead. She provided her marriage certificate to prove who she was.
    • Page 79: 6 May 1917 Letter from cousin, Mrs M. KENNEDY, Adelaide - asking about Sydney's whereabouts.
    • Page 49: 25 Jul 1917 Letter from wife, Ruby asking for more details of Sydney's death
    • Page 47: 26 Jul 1917 Letter from brother, William asking about Sydney's belongings
    • Page 46: 18 Jan 1918 Letter from wife, Ruby asking about Sydney's effects

How were Sydney's parents found

• Brother - Walter John BENNETT birth: 10 May 1878;
  • Parents: Thomas BENNETT and Jane WARE
• Brother - Albert BENNETT birth: 16 Dec 1873;
  • Parents: Thomas BENNETT and Jane WARE
• Cousin - Sarah Adelaide CHIDZEY birth: 1884;
  • Parents: Edward CHIDZEY and Mary Ann WARE

Sources

1. ↑ Genealogy South Australia: Birth. BENNETT, -; 14-Nov-1886; M; Thomas BENNETT; Jane WARE; Wallaroo; Daly; 384/67. https://www.genealogysa.org.au/
2. ↑ National Archives of Australia: World War 1 records. Item details for: B2455, BENNETT S C; View digital copy; Title Bennett Sidney Charles; SERN 5121; POB Wallaroo SA; POE Melbourne VIC; NOK B Bennett Albert; Contents date range 1914 - 1920; Series number B2455; Control symbol BENNETT S C; Citation NAA: B2455, BENNETT S C; Item ID 3073260; Location Canberra; Access status Open. https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/
3. ↑ Birth, Deaths and Marriages, Victoria Online Registry. Event: marriages; Registration number 5721 / 1916; Family name: BENNETT; Given name(s) Sidney Chas; Spouse's family name: SPENCER; Spouse's given name(s) Ruby Ctina. https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/research-and-family-history/search-your-family-history
4. ↑ Family Notices (1916, August 11). The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved May 5, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1054852
5. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56376749/sidney_charles-bennett: accessed 5 May 2024), memorial page for Pte. Sidney Charles Bennett (23 Mar 1885–9 Nov 1916), Find a Grave Memorial ID 56376749, citing Australian Imperial Forces Burial Ground, Flers, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France; Maintained by Just Jack (contributor 49577555).
6. ↑ Commonwealth War Graves Commission: https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/263790/sidney-charles-bennett/

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile Bennett-4201 created through the import of Smith Family Tree.ged on Aug 27, 2012 by Martin Smith.