Richard’s name is on the Tyne Cot Memorial Panel, photograph below taken 8th April 2017 by Mavis Williams
FWM had another pilgrimage to Tyne Cot on the 8th April 2017 and with the help of Laraine & John Blythyn, who held the cross, we were able to pay homage again to Richard.. Photograph below by Mavis Williams.
Richard is listed on the 1901 census living at 17 Dock Road Connah’s Quay with his family. His father was Joseph Bennett aged 43, a river boat pilot who had been born in Connah’s Quay. His mother was Catherine Bennett aged 32, a native of Mostyn. The children were Florance 9, Kate 8, Joseph 6, Richard 4, John 2, Albert 1.
Joseph married Catherine in Chester. — Bennett. Joseph / Davies, Catherine 1891 Chester, Holy Trinity Cheshire West Cheshire CE12/4/137
The next census of 1911 finds the family at 350 High Street, Connah’s Quay.The father Joseph was now 53. His occupation was ‘Mariner in Merchant Service.’ Catherine must have died shortly after the last census because Joseph’s new wife of 8 years was Mary Bennett*. She was 45 and a native of Liverpool. Living at home are children Joseph 16, a mariner, Richard 14, John 12, Albert 11 all at school. There is also another Albert** aged 12 who was listed as a stepson. His surname was Messham.
* St. Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay, Marriages – Page 199 No 398 26th November 1903 Joseph Bennett 45, Widower, Pilot, 350 High Street Connah’s Quay, Father Bayacum? ( Benjamin?) Bennett, Pilot & Mary Messham, 35, Widow, 350, High Street, Connah’s Quay, Father Thomas Dutton, Surveyor. Witnesses:- Benjamin Bennett & Sarah Ann Bennett. – After Banns.
** On the Absent Voter’s Lists of 1918/19 an Albert Messham was entered on both, on the 1918 list he was No.1251 MESSHAM, Albert Edgar, 350 High Street. 48972 Pte., 2/S.W.B., B.E.F.(Discharged 4/4/20), and on the 1919 he was listed as No. 518. Was this him?
UK Soldiers who Died in The Great War accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk gives us the regimental details as above with the addition that the batallion was the 2/4th (City of Bristol) Batallion Territorial. Richard enlisted in Flint and he was Killed in Action.
Richard Bennett in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 does not tell us where his first Theatre of War was nor when he entered it.
Richard Bennett in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells that the sole Legatee was Richard’s father Joseph Bennett who was paid £5.12s 6d on the 2nd February 1918 and his War Gratuity of £12. 0s 0d on the 28th November 1919.
There is a card for Richard in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Archive Office at Hawarden. It gives the address 350 High street Connah’s Quay. It also tells us that he served 2 years, & 238 days and was killed in Action. It was signed by M Bennett (his stepmother?).
Richard is named on the Memorial Plaque in St Mark’s Church Connah’s Quay.
Obit:- County Herald Friday October 5th 1917. – Dick Bennett, Killed in action, High Street, Connah’s Quay, son of Late Pilot of River Dee.
