Bennett, F J

Name on memorial: Bennett, F J
Memorial panel: Centre
Full name: Frederick John Bennett
Rank: Warrant Officer Class II
Service details: 1863807, 159 Railway Construction Company, Royal Engineers
Age at death: 39
Date of death: 17/06/1940
Birth place: unknown
Parents: John Henry and Annie Eliza Bennett
Mother's maiden name: Pitcher
Parents' marriage details: Banbury Dec-00
Wife: Florence Ada Bennett, of Erith, Kent
Wife's maiden name: Sparvell
Marriage details: Dartford Jun-26
Cemetery: YVES COMMUNAL CEMETERY
Additional information: Frederick Bennett was killed during the sinking of the troopship HMT Lancastria, which was bombed and sunk by Junkers 88 bombers in the estuary of the River Loire, on Monday, 17 June 1940. Over 2000 troops, RAF personnel, civilians and crew died, making this the worst single loss of life in British maritime history. Newspapers were banned from reporting the event for many weeks, because of the possible effect on British morale. The Lancastria was part of Operation Ariel, which ran from 14th to 25th June 1940, and during which 215,000 troops were evacuated from French ports. The Lancastria, anchored off St Nazaire, had embarked up to 9,000 civilians and troops when she suffered three direct hits at 15.48 and sank within 20 minutes.

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