Bennett Townsend
First Name:
Bennett
Last Name:
Townsend
Mother's Name:
Christina Townsend (nee Bennett)
Father's Name:
James Townsend
Date Enlisted:
Friday, November 5, 1915
Rank at Enlistment:
Private
Rank at Discharge:
Private
Unit:
17th Battalion
Company:
D Company
Service:
Infantry
Awards:
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death:
Thursday, May 3, 1917
Place of Death:
Bullecourt France
Cause of Death:
Killed in action
Details:
Bennett Townsend (Service No 5096) was born in Bulli, New South Wales in 1887. At the time of enlistment he was a married 28 year old labourer living in Orange. He married Annie Sully in 1908. His parents were living in the Illawarra at the time of his enlistment.
He embarked on HMAT A55 Kyarra with 13th Reinforcements 17th Battalion on 5th June 1916 and arrived in France on 18th December 1916 with D Company. He survived the terrible winter of 16/17 and in May took part in the disasterous battle for Bullecourt. While attacking he was hit by a shell and killed. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers- Bretonneaux.
Sources:
NAA: B2455, TOWNSEND BENNETT
