Albert William Bennett R.A.F.

A short history

Born Birmingham on 11 May 1897, lived and bought up at number 35 Lightwoods Road, Bearwood. He went to school at George Dixon, City Road, Edgbaston. He joined the colours 28 August 1914.

After leaving the Royal Air Force he was married to Marjorie the widow of Lieutenant A. Potter who had been killed in action in the war.

After demobilisation he bought a house in Maidstone, Kent and went back into business in the chemical industry. He took up Aero modelling and later making and racing model cars. He held the world record of 142 m.p.h. at a race track built at Mote Park, Maidstone.

I visited his old house at 35 Lightwoods Road to see if anyone remembered the Bennett family. Fortunately at the house next door the gentleman there gave me the phone numbers of two nieces, one of them whom I visited, Miss Susan Bourne, had the same photograph of her uncle that I had. She also had a photograph album with the small sepia photo's that she kindly let me have. They are in this file along with the blown up copies.

When he and his wife had died the medals and effects of Albert were passed on to his wife's sister, it was her husband who disposed of them. Everything was at first offered to the RAF Museum but all they wanted was the documentation. This included his log book, training notes, pay book, Brigade transfer documents, etc. They did not want his medals, these with the remainder of his effects were sold to Formans of Piccadilly. The money realised from this was donated to the Star and Garter Hospital for limbless ex-servicemen in Richmond.

The hobby of racing Pylon or Tethered cars was popular in America during the 1930's but spread to England during the War. By the end of the war, tethered car racing in the UK had become enormously popular. Groups of enthusiasts formed clubs and racing took place in hangars, works canteens, garages and on purpose built tracks.

A British Pathe News video clip shows Albert William (Bill) Bennett wearing the bobble hat, preparing a model racing car for a run. The wheels are warmed up on a grindstone, then Bill carries the car to a special track surrounded by a wire fence. Commentator says "This is an American idea called cable racing.... because the cars go so fast they have to be tethered". Bill fixes the car to a cable coming from the centre of the track, then runs off, pushing the car with a pole to start the ignition.

Click the picture to watch the video clip.

Promotions

January 1915	Lance Corporal
July 22nd 1916	Corporal
July 30th 1916	Sergeant
August 28th 1917	2nd Lieutenant
April 1st 1918	Lieutenant
February 10th 1919	Acting Captain
May 1st 1919	Reverts to Lieutenant on ceasing to be employed.

Record of Service with the Colours

August 28^th 1914	Joined the Colours
September 11^th 1914	Posted to the 14^th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment.
November 22^nd 1915	Proceeded to France on active service with Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Saw service on the Ypres, Arras, Somme and Festubert fronts. Took part in the Somme offensive.
February 22^nd 1917	Returned to England for a commission.
February 22^nd to April 7^th 1917	Stationed at Royal Warwickshire Regiment Depot Warwick.
April 7^th 1917	Posted to Gailes 9^th O.C. Battalion for training.
May 24^th 1917	Posted to R.F.C. Reading for training in Aeronautics.
July 12^th 1917	Gazetted 2^nd Lieutenant and sent to Thetford for training in practical flying.
September 1^st 1917	Posted to Narborough for higher training in flying.
January 30^th 1918	Posted to Winchester for Pilot's overseas artillery observation course.
February 20^th 1918	Posted to B.E.F. (France) to No 10 Squadron.
October 1^st 1918	Wounded while taking photographs 20 miles over enemy lines, observer's leg shot off. (See form W3347 - R.F.C. casualties report following this table.) Also, Picture by Geoff Bell. - Bristol Fighter against 16 Fokkers.(83kb) (Photograph by Simon Clay of Bournemouth)
October 12^th 1918	Sent to hospital in England (London Hospital)
November 11^th 1918	Posted to Pilot's Ferry Pool in Orchard Hotel London.
February 10^th 1919	Posted to Yeovil as Test Pilot to Petters Ltd., (Westland Aircraft Co.,)
March 20^th 1919	Flying accident, crash landed, sustained fractured skull, (slight). Sent to hospital and later on indefinite leave pending demobilisation.
May 28^th 1919	Demobilised.

Form W3347 - casualties report

( I have reproduced this form with a layout and style as close to original as possible. )

Copy of Army Form W 3347 Royal Flying Corps Report on casualties to personnel, and machines (when flying).

No 10 Squadron

2nd Wing

date 1/10/1918

Type and No of Machine	B. F. E.2250 (Bristol Fighter)
Engine No	Rolls Royce 250 H.P. 3 Falcon No. 7 WD. 18505
Pilot	Lt. A. W. Bennett
Observer	2^nd Lt. G. H. E. Kime. M.M.
Duty	Photography
Locality	Over Courtrai.
Lewis guns carried with gun No's	Vickers. No 852. (S) Lewis. 27579. (U)
Camera (Yes or No) Yes.	Yes.
Wireless (Yes or No)
Other appliances (bomb racks, etc.)	2 - 20Ib bomb carriers. Aldis sight undamaged.
Where brought down	Aerodrome
Short report as to fate of personnel and machine and cause of casualty. Date and time of leaving aerodrome Any reports, messages or conjectures Received, stating source:	PERSONNEL Pilot and Observer wounded in legs MACHINE. Attacked by E.A. (16 Fokkers) DAMAGE. Bottom port longeron shot through. All main planes, centre section, tail plane and elevators etc. shot through 10 fuselage struts and bracing wires Damaged by M.G. fire. Engine damaged by M.G. fire Left 9.0am. Landed 10.25am.
Remarks by Wing Commander as to whether machine is to be struck off, repaired in Squadron or recommended for transfer to A.D. for repair.	Recommended for transfer to No 1 A.S.D. for repair.