More about William Bennett

For reasons unknown William is not listed on the original Dundee Roll of Honour.

William Bennett 200676   Black Watch

BENNETT―Killed in action, on 3rd August, Private William Bennett, 4/5th Black Watch, husband of Jane Gibbon, 40 Green Street, aged 30 years.

Arbroath Herald 17th August 1917

ABROATH HAIRDRESSER FALLS IN ACTION.

Mrs Bennett, 40 Green Street, has received a letter from an officer informing her of the death of her husband in action, Private William Bennett, Black Watch, which took place in Flanders on 3rd inst.  Deceased who was a hairdresser to trade, joined the colours while employed in Dundee in September, 1914, and had been in all twenty months in France.  He was previously wounded, and was for a time an inmate of a  Paisley hospital.  Previous to going to Dundee, Private Bennett carried on a hairdresser’s business in North Port, at the corner of Smithy Croft, and it is a pathetic coincidence that the man who succeeded him in business as a hairdresser in this shop, Private A. Robertson, should have also fallen in action a short time ago.

Arbroath Herald 17th August 1917

A VERY GREAT FAVOURITE WITH ALL RANKS.

Mrs Bennett, 40 Green Street, has received a letter from an officer concerning the death in action of her husband, Private William Bennett, Black Watch, in the course of which he writes :-“He was killed by shell fire, and death was instantaneous.  This fact, together with the knowledge that he did splendid work in the front of the fight, may help to console you in your great grief.  Your husband was a very great favourite with all ranks, and will be greatly missed by all of us”.

Arbroath Herald 24th August 1917