William Harry Bennett

William was an illegitimate child. He had one sibling, Annie (later Ball). William declared that his father was dead when he enlisted in the Army in 1904 and his sister was named as his next of kin; her address was given as 7 Weston Street, Nottingham. His mother later married and in 1901 William, age 17, was living in his stepfather's household at 22 Brook Street, Nottingham. His stepfather, Rowland Copley (41) and his mother, Mary Ann Copley (39) had three children, George H (5), Robert (3) and Alice M (9 months). William joined the Army in 1904 and transferred to the Army Reserve in 1907. In 1911 William (27), who was single, was at 2 Young's Terrace, Nottingham, and living with Amelia Clamp Bennett (27), who was married and described as a housekeeper. However, they were living as man and wife and had one child, Robert Clamp Bennett (b. 12 April 1911); they were later to have a daughter, Mary Clamp Bennett (b. 16 February 1913). From information included on the 1911 Census it would seem that Amelia had had other children. Amelia was to later give her address as 2 Flewitt Place, Flewitt Street, Nottingham, although she later lived on Prince Regent Street off Carlton Road and by 1923 was living in Chesterfield. Their irregular status was to cause difficulties for Amelia after William's death (see 'extra information'). In 1919 Amelia completed a form for the Army with the names William's surviving relatives. She described herself as 'dependent wife' and included their two children, Robert Bennett Clamp and Mary Bennett Clamp, on the form. They were all living at 2 Flewitt Place, Flewitt Street, Nottingham. She also named William's married sister, Annie Ball (31) of 5 Kent Street off Blue Bell Hill, and Annie's three children Annie Louisa (11), Lillie (9) and Frank William (7). There was also an aunt, Louise Stokes (54), of 27 Abbott Street, Blue Bell Hill.

No Photos