Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore

Four: Company Quartermaster Sergeant J. Bennett, Devonshire Regiment, later Royal Signals, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War during the German Spring Offensive on March 1918

British War Medal 1914-20 (68009 Pte. J. Bennett. Devon. R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (5610124 Pte. J. Bennett. Devon. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. 3rd issue, Regular Army (5610124 C.Q.M. Sjt. J. Bennett. R. Signals); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Jim Bennett) contact marks, nearly very fine and better (4) £200-£240

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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M.I.D. London Gazette 13 March 1925:
‘For distinguished service during the operations in Waziristan during the period 21 April 1923 to 31 March 1924.’

James Bennett was born at St Mary Redcliff, Bristol on 13 March 1899 and attested Short Service (For the Duration of the War) at Taunton on 4 April 1917, and was posted to the 34th Battalion Training Reserve at Sutton Veny. Following training with the 35th Battalion Training Reserve at Fovant he was posted to the 4th Reserve Battalion Devonshire Regiment prior to joining the 8th Battalion on the Western Front on 26 March 1918. He transferred to 10th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and was reported ‘Missing Prisoner of War’ on 31 March 1918. Repatriated following the cessation of hostilities, he arrived in Holland on 18 November 1918 and was posted to the Depot Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

Bennett re-enlisted in the Devonshire Regiment on 6 March 1919; posted to the newly reformed 2nd Battalion at Devonport he embarked with them bound for India in August 1919 destined for the Simla Hills, India and later moving to Quetta, Baluchistan District in November 1919. He transferred to the Indian Signal Service and was posted to the Signal Service Depot, Jubbulpore on 4 March 1920, attached to the 33 Divisional Signal Company, Quetta. Taken on strength with the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force at Basrah on the 7 September 1920, he saw active service in post-War operations in Iraq. Returning to Bombay on 18 April 1921 he was promoted Corporal, Indian Unattached List (Signal Service) in June 1921 before proceeded to join the Waziristan Frontier Force at Dera Ismail Khan on 11 January 1922. Promoted Lance Sergeant in June 1922 he extended his re-enlistment to complete 12 years later that year and returned to Quetta in December 1923. Promoted Sergeant on the Indian Unattached List on 9 October 1924 he was Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished service in Waziristan, and was awarded the India General Service Medal with clasp Waziristan 1921-24 .

Bennett transferred to the Royal Corps of Signals and was posted to ‘L’ Company Royal Signals at Jubbulpore on 2 July 1927. The following year he re-engaged for the Royal Signals at Quetta to complete 21 years service. Remaining in Northern India he was awarded the clasp North West Frontier 1930-31 to his India General Service Medal. Promoted Company Quarter Master Sergeant, ‘L’ Company Royal Signals in March 1935 he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (with Gratuity) in October 1935. Awarded his third clasp Mohmand 1933 to his India General Service Medal, he was promoted Warrant Officer Class II Company Sergeant Major, ‘L’ Company Royal Signals on 1 June 1936. He disembarked UK from India and was posted to Depot Battalion Royal Signals prior to his discharge at his own request to Pension on 2 March 1939 having served 21 years and 324 days. He is recorded in the 1939 Register residing at Middle Street, Salisbury, a Temporary Clerk and a Special Constable, Salisbury which may well have entitled him to Defence Medal. He died in Salisbury on 20 June 1960, aged 61.

Sold with copied research.