BENNETT, Frederick

Frederick Bennett was the second son of Mr and Mrs E. Bennett of 27a Brook Street, Stourbridge, and two of his brothers were also in the army. In March 1916 he married Olive Cottrell of 39 Brook Street. He had been an apprentice with Mark and Moody and was Manager at Messrs Sharp Bros. He enlisted in the Worcesters and joined the 2nd Battalion. They spent the winter of early 1916 in Artois and were then sent to the Somme to take part in the second phase of that long battle. They attacked the Bazentin Ridge and spent seven days in the front line. They suffered heavily and retired for reinforcements before returning on the 7th August for the attack on High Wood. German resistance was very stubborn and before the next attack enemy shelling resulted in more casualties. Private Fredrick Bennett was one of those killed in action on the 10th August. He was 30 years of age and is commemorated on the Thiepval, Stourbridge and St. Thomas's church Memorials, together with his brother, Ernest.