Henry Bennett was a hairdresser at the Wellington RSA when he enlisted. He was over 40 years old and not in good health and maybe it was the influence of the men whose hair he cut - either directly or indirectly - that played on his mind and made him believe he needed to "do his bit."
He was part of the Samoan Relief Force in 1916, being hospitalised for "boils and debility" later sent to France where he was treated for asthma in in July of 1917. The following December he was diagnosed with nephritis and transferred to Brockenhurst Hospital in England.
He was removed from the "seriously ill" list in December of 1917 and had progressed enough to be sent home for recuperation.
In April 1918 he was on a ship for home.
THEIR DUTY DONE.
RETURN OF TARANAKI HEROES.
SERGEANT S. C. FOOTE, D.C.M. AND BAR.
The following invalided soldiers, who returned to New Zealand in Draft 159, are due to arrive in Taranaki by mail train this (Friday) evening:— For New Plymouth.—12284 Sergeant James Spence (Mrs. Spence, Carrington road, New Plymouth); 19/13 Private Henry Bennett (John Bennett, Devon street, New Plymouth); 12730 Gunner Percy George Blanchett (A. B. Blanchett, 220 St Aubyn street, New Plymouth); 10/3378 Sergeant Stephen Cornelius Foote, D.C.M. and bar to D.C.M. (Mrs. P. Foote, 77 Devon street, New Plymouth); 4002. Private Albert Hay (Mrs. C V. Hay, Morley street, New Plymouth); 10/3053 Lance-Corporal W. Pearce (John W. Pearce, Upper Mangorei); 8/2351 Private Adam Rae (S. J. Rae, Manamu); 25646 Sapper A. N. Storring (T. H. Storring, Eliot street, New Plymouth). -Taranaki Daily News, 17/5/1918.
He was admitted to the local hospital at Whanganui where he was treated for "chronic Bright's disease and anaemia" - unsuccessfully.
MILITARY FUNERAL.
LATE PRIVATE H. BENNETT.
The late Private Henry Bennett, who died in the New Plymouth Hospital at Thursday last, was buried at Te Henui cemetery on Saturday with military honors. The cortege left the Catholic Church, Devon Street, at 2.30 p.m. The Citizens' Band paraded and played "The Dead March" along the route. The hearers were returned soldiers, and the firing party consisted of men on leave from camp, who were under the command of Sergt.-Major Crompton. Lieut. C. W. Crutch was in charge of the military arrangements, and there was a small attendance of territorials and cadets, under Lieuts. Howarth and Reid and Sergt.-Major Hunt. There was also a number of returned soldiers and men on leave from camp present. Large number of private citizens also attended. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. Father Kelly and, at the the conclusion, usual salute was fired and the "Last Post" sounded by Veteran Bugler H. Walker.
The late Private Bennett was a son of the late Wm. Bennett, and was a member of the Samoan force. He returned to New Zealand and enlisted, sailing with the 15th Reinforcements. He was badly gassed and invalided home, and spent some months in the local hospital. -Taranaki Daily News, 14/10/1918.
New Plymouth Cemetery.
At the meeting of the Life-saving Society on Wednesday evening, on the motion of Mr & G. Smith, M.P., a resolution was passed expressing sympathy with Mr J. Bennett (who presided) in the loss sustained by the death of his brother, Private Henry Bennett, and it was decided to forward a letter of condolence to Mr C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., in connection with the death of his son, Lieut. Harold Wilkinson, M.C., Croix de Guerre (Belge.) -Taranaki Daily News, 18/10/1918.
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