Lot 109
South Staffs1916 Casualty Pair
At Sea, On Land & In The Air | M24003
Auction: 24 September 2024 at 18:30 BST
Description
The Great War Pair awarded to Private/Lance Corporal George William Bennett, 7th Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, who Died of Wounds on the 16th of December 1916 comprising, 1914-1920 British War and Victory Medals, (24400 Pte. G.W. Bennett. S. Staff. R.), British War Medal is contemporarily re-named, otherwise toned very fine (2)
George William Bennett a Drayman from Oakham enlisted on the 24th of December 1914 into the Leicestershire Regiment, he served for two week and was Discharged Under King’s Rules and Regulations Para 392, (a), iii, Not likely to be an efficient soldier, he had varicose veins. Papers for first fortnight enlistment included. He married Lavinia Sewell in the summer of 1914; she was a spinster who already had a little boy. George and Lavinia's son was born seven months after their wedding. Four days after baby Jackie arrived, he tried again to enlist and was accepted.
The 7th Battalion South Staffs War Diary records for the 16th of December 1916:-
“Enemy at last registered on Front Line Trenches, two shells falling directly in the Trench and causing 13 casualties.”
5 men were killed outright 8 wounded one was 24400 L/Cpl Bennett, he Died later that same day at no 49 Casualty Clearing Station. He is buried in Contay British Cemetery, Contay, Plot 7 Row E Garve 25, he was the son of Mr and Mrs Bennett of 19, Barholm Near Stamford Lincolnshire and the Husband of Lavinia Bennett of 21, South Street Oakham, Rutland, he was 25 years old.
Sold with two original red blood-stained identity discs a small copy photograph showing L/Cpl C.W. Bennett in uniform, Commonwealth War Graves information Copy Medal Index Card, Copy Service and Pension papers and a copy and extract from the Melton Mowbray Times for Friday January the 19th 1917.
