Library and Archives of Canada. Soldiers of the First world war 1914-1918. Particulars of Recruit – Attestation Papers for Regimental Number 2023376, Gunner, George Ewart Bennett.

George Ewart Bennett was born on 26th February 1892 in Victoria, British Columbia. His parents were John Samuel Bennett and Louisa Ann Bennett and the last known address was 1257, 17th Avenue East, Vancouver, British Columbia.

George enlisted in Vancouver on 9th May 1918 aged 26 yrs 3 months.  He named his mother Louisa as his next of kin and she is listed on the will form as a widow. George’s trade was a Commercial Traveller.

Unfortunately I have been unable to locate the family on Census records.

After training in Canada, George embarked from Quebec on 10th September 1918 onboard HMAT Themistocles. He arrived in London on 25th September 1918.

On arrival in U.K. George was sent to Whitley Camp and then onto Kinmel Park Camp, North Wales.

Kinmel Park Camp was a segregation camp used to house Canadian Soldiers awaiting repatriation to Canada after the end of WW1. Unfortunately the conditions at that time were extremely harsh with a lack of every kind of commodity, the camp was overcrowded and the services were poor, there were shortages of clothing, food and blankets. As a result of this situation, a vast number of servicemen and women became ill and many succumbed to the Influenza Epidemic or complications associated with this infection.

Unfortunately while training at Kinmel Camp, George became dangerously ill on 23rd October 1918 and was transferred to hospital where he died at 7.30am. on 26th October 1918.