watsonwatson Posted 2 July , 2014 Share Posted 2 July , 2014 Dear all I've found the army record of my great, great granddad - before the war he played bass clarinet in the regimental band. Like many other bandsmen, he was a stretcher bearer during WW1 in 2nd btn Yorks and Lancs regiment - I've included all that I've found out about him below. Does anybody have any information about the relevant war diary, or better still a photo of the regiment's band? Here's hoping and thanks for reading so far. This is what I've found out to date: John Ernest Bennett Born: Heeley, Sheffield 1878 He was married to Ethel, Agnes Smith Regiment: 2nd battalion York and Lancashire Details when he first joined the army in 1897 He first joined the army in 1897: (aged 19 year 6 months). He signed up in Sheffield. Height: 5 feet 5 inches Weight: 125 lbs (very light – about 57 kilos) Chest: 34 inches min and 36 inches maximum Complexion: Eye colour: brown Hair colour: brown Distinguishing features: slight freckles and deep back Health rated as A1 when he joined the army. His occupation before joining the army is listed as Quarry man. Details from an “Employment Sheet” dated 30th September 1913 Regimental No. 4921 Name: John Ernest Bennett Military character: Good Cases of drunkenness on duty: 0 Ordinary cases of drunkenness: 3 Nature of employment: Bandsman Character from civil employment point of view during period: very good soldier, clean, very intelligent, good player of Bass Clarinet Details from “Squadron, Troop, Battery and Company Conduct Sheet” The first detail on this form relates to “Good Conduct Pay, or GCB for short”. 1st GCB: 14th October 1899 2nd GCB: 3rd August 1903 3rd GCB: 19th August 1910 Then, further down the form there’s a box for offences Place Date Offence Punishment Limerick 19th Jan 1912 drunk returning to barracks Fined 2/6 and 8 About 3.35pm days confined to Barracks Cambridge 27th July 1912 drunk in camp at about 9.40pm 27th July 1912 fighting in camp at about Fined 5/ and 5 9.40pm days confined to barracks His army record also includes a page about: “BIRTHS AND BAPTISMS”. Christian name Date and place of birth Date and place of baptism Thomas 15th December 1911 29th December 1911 Limerick Doris (female) 2nd Feb 1908 St Georges, York DEATH CERTIFICATE OF HIS WIFE: ETHEL AGNES BENNETT When and where Died Name Age Rank or profession 29th December 1915 Ethel 37 years Wife of stretcher bearer 11 Arnside terrace Agnes York and Lancs Bennett Regiment Elizabeth Whitehead sister in-law present at the death 11 Arnside terrace Sheffield. This is what 12 Arnside terrace looked like in 2014 WHERE DID HE SERVE? ARMY RECORD Place From to Years ? 3 Aug 1897 26th Dec 1898 1 year 146 days ? 27 Dec 1898 22nd Dec 1902 3 years 361 days Home 23rd Dec 1902 7th Sept 1914 11 years 259 days France 8th Sept 1914 19th March 1918 3 years 198 days Leave 20th Mar 1918 3rd April 1918 14 days France 4th April 1918 10th February 1918 313 days Home 11th Feb 1919 12th March 1919 30 days Total service 21 years 211 days Details of his army education Duke of York’s Royal Military School Royal Hibernian Military School Industrial School under Home Office or Local Government Board Passed classes of instruction: Ambulance duties (proficient) Blackdown? He left the army on 4th February 1919 (aged 41). He had a medical examination in Zulpich, Germany, where he was discharged. He did not claim to be suffering from any disability due to his military service. In his army record there was also a sheet from HM Prison Manchester He was arrested on 30th December 1919 – aged 41. He had left the army 9 months earlier. On the charge sheet it says he was a pensioner (D4921) Particulars of offence, as charged: stealing 1 case and 12 bottles of whiskey Court viewed this as a felony, rather than a misdemeanour The earliest release date was 20th February 1920 He was let out of jail on 29th February 1920 – so he spent 2 months in jail. After the war he became a welder – a tough physical job in those days Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin spof Posted 3 July , 2014 Admin Share Posted 3 July , 2014 That's a nice and complete service record. Lucky you! The war diary for 2 Y&L covering August 1914 to Feb 1919 can be downloaded from TNA for £3.30. there has laso been discussionon the forum about the Duke of York's and Hibernian schools. It would be worth trying a search for them to see what turns up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_Underdown Posted 3 July , 2014 Share Posted 3 July , 2014 Blackdown probably refers to the location where he was tested, Blackdown Camp, now known as Deepcut Barracks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikepapa Posted 4 July , 2018 Share Posted 4 July , 2018 Great war record, Im interested in his time in Limerick. I can tell you that an album of photos exsist in the yorks and Lancaster regiment museum of the 2nd battalion in 1912. Love to see any photos you have regards mike papa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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