BENNETT, William

William Bennett lived at 8 School Street, Dudley, and volunteered for the Worcesters. He joined the 10th (Service) Battalion in the 19th Division who moved to the Western Front in July 1915 and were involved in a minor action in support of the Battle of Loos in September. In 1916 they were engaged from the start in the Battle of the Somme. They overcame strong opposition in the struggle for La Boisselle when Frederick Dancox won the Victoria Cross and again at High Wood in August. They returned to the front line in November for the Battle of the Ancre. The weather was appalling and the conditions fearful but the village of Grandcourt was finally taken. The Worcesters had many casualties and Lance Corporal William Bennett was among the seriously wounded. He was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station where he died. He is buried in Contay British Cemetery (IV D 2) and commemorated on the Dudley Memorial.