106997, Gunner, 323rd Siege Battery. Royal Garrison Artillery.
Killed Accidentally on the 5th December 1917.
On the 5th December 1917 the Battery were in position near the village of Maroc and were firing on German artillery positions, with the aid of air observation. Charles Bennett was manning No.3 gun which was described as “practically new”. At 10.10am the gun suffered a “premature”, which is the detonation of an artillery shell whilst still in the breach. The resulting explosion killed Charles Bennett and wounded the remainder of the crew.
Those wounded were;
29701 Corporal Harry Eaton
163421 Gunner William W Adam
74931 Gunner Norman Beswick
123001 Gunner James W Burns
323068 Gunner James D Whyte
Charles is buried in the Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, British Extension, Pas De Calais, France. (4. G. 1.)
Medal Entitlement: British War Medal & Victory Medal
