Name
William Frederick Bennett
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
09/11/1918
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
54692
Gloucestershire Regiment
17th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
EDMONTON CEMETERY, MIDDLESEX
F. 423.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Sawbridgeworth memorials
Pre War
William Frederick Murphy was the son of William and Lizzie Murphy, of 15, Durham Rd., Lower Edmonton. Born in Edmonton Middlesex in 1900,
According to the Soldiers Died in the Great War database he was born in Sawbridgeworth and enlisted in Mill Hill, London.
William used an alias (William Frederick Bennett) possibly to enlist underaged (he was just 14 years old) in 1914.
Wartime Service
Formerly 17132, Royal Fusiliers.
William Frederick Murphy served as Private William Frederick Bennett 54692.
William died of pneumonia in the UK. It is not clear whether he served overseas as his medal records have not yet been found. However, 17th Bn. Gloucestershire Regiment, was formed at Walton-on-the-Naze on 1 January 1917 from what had previously been the 82nd Provisional Battalion of the TF. It had been formed in June 1915 from “Home Service only” personnel. Moved to Clacton-on-Sea in March 1917 and on to St Osyth in 1918.
He was still aged only 18 when he died. William Bennett (Murphy) is buried in Edmonton Cemetery, Middlesex.
We have yet to confirm his connection to Sawbridgeworth.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Douglas Coe
