4008 PTE F. BENNETT, CONNAUGHT RANGERS

[roypaule]

19 JUNE

DEAR ALL,

I'D LIKE TO REQUEST FOR YOUR KIND ASSISTANCE ON SOME INFO REGARDING A SOLDIER. HIS NAME IS PTE. F. BENNETT, CONNAUGHT RANGERS.

a) he was listed as KIA 6 August 1917. The CWGC states that his serial numbers are 3/4008 BUT the numbers inscribed on his medal is only 4008. why is this? why was the number 3 left out? what's the significance of the number '3'?

could I request for an MIC on this soldier? what's his first name?

many thanks in advance

regards

roy

[dundeesown]

Hi Roy the lads name is Francis and no number 3 on his MIC.

Gary.

[mhifle]

Hi,

The 3 would indicate he enlisted into the 3rd Battalion the Connaught Rangers.

His Medal Card gives his name as Francis. Died of wounds 6 Aug 1917.

He was part of a draft of 93 other ranks under 2nd Lieutenant Claude Joseph O’ Conor Mallins who left the 3rd Battalion to join the 2nd Battalion in France on 11 Sept 1914.

I think he is also on the April 1911 Census for the Connaught Rangers Depot, Renmore Barracks at Glaway:

F Bennett, Pte, Conn Rang, 19, Roman Catholic, Read & Write, G Labourer, Single, born Co Mayo

His regimental number 4008 would be correct for enlisting into the 3rd Battalion in 1911.

Also a possible on the 1901 Census, but the age does not correlate exactly.

Quay Street New (Westport Urban, Mayo)

Bennett Patrick 47 Male Father Roman Catholic County Longford, Town Labourer Read and write - Married -

Bennett Francis 12 Male Son Roman Catholic Longford Messenger Read only - Not Married -

Bennett Elizabeth 7 Female Daughter Roman Catholic Co Mayo Scholar Read only - Not Married

Regards Mark

[mhifle]

Name: Francis BENNETT

Regiment, Corps etc.: Connaught Rangers

Battalion etc.: 6th Battalion.

Formed at Kilworth Sept. 1914-K2-to Fermoy in 47th Bde. 16th Div. Sept. 1915 to England at Blackdown. 18.12.15 landed at Havre. 13.4.18 reduced to training cadre. 5 officers and 281 men to 2nd Bn. Leinster Regt. 17.6.18 cadre to 34th Div. 27.6.18 to 117th Bde. 39th Div. 3.8.18 cadre disbanded.

Last name: Bennett

First name(s): Francis

Initials: F

Birthplace: Westport

Enlisted: Westport, Co. Mayo

Residence: Glasgow

Rank: PRIVATE

Number: 4008

Date died: 6 August 1917

How died: Died

Theatre of war: France & Flanders

Soldiers Died in the Great War database © Naval and Military Press Ltd 2006.

[mhifle]

Hi,

He was serving with the 6th Battalion, the Connaught Rangers which was in the front line North East of Ypres when he died of wounds.

Here is a page from the 6th Battalion War Diary for August 1917.

Regards Mark

[James Blonde]

He is also listed on the Memorial Wall at the Castlebar Peace Park,

Castlebar, Co Mayo. Ireland:-

http://www.mayomemorialpeacepark.org/the_wall/wall1.html

Connaught Stranger.

[P. J. Clarke]

He is also listed on the Memorial Wall at the Castlebar Peace Park,

Castlebar, Co Mayo. Ireland:-

http://www.mayomemorialpeacepark.org/the_wall/wall1.html

Connaught Stranger.

From the database compiled by me in the book "Mayo Comrades of the Great War" (2006) reads; Bennett, Francis, Private, 6th Btn. Connaught Rangers. No. 4008. Born Westport and resided in Glasgow. Enlisted Glasgow.

Died 8/6/1917at France and Flanders. Memorial: Lussenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. Grave ref.: XVII.B.15. (CWGC and Mayo paper). In the Census of Mayo in 1901 his father's name was Patrick (47), born in Longford town; Francis is also down also as having been born in Longford. He had a sister called Elizabeth. They lived in a house no. 8.2 in Quay Street, Westport. On the census of 1911, his father, Patrick, is down as having been born in Sligo; Patrick wife, Mary, is now mentioned, and her birthplace is down as England. Elizabeth is now down as Lizzie, but no info about her on the form. Francis, I presume, had already left and joined the army. They were now living in house number 38 Tober Hill Street, Westport. Just on a point of interest--the Peace Park is called the Mayo Peace Park, and was originally designated for Ballina, owing to the big number of men who lost their lives in the Great War. P. J. Clarke.