A Great War M.M. and Bar group of three awarded to 2nd Lieutenant F. C. Bennett, Royal Flying Corps, late 31st (Alberta) Battalion, Canadian Infantry

Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (79174 Pte F. C. Bennett, 31st Inf. Bn. Can. Force), and further stamped ‘Replacement’; Victory Medal 1914-19 (2 Lieut. F. C. Bennett); Belgium, Military Decoration, 1st Class, gilt, on incorrect ‘long service’ ribbon, together with an erased British War Medal 1914-20, very fine and better (4) £300-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Awards to the Canadian Forces.

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M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1916. The original recommendation states:

‘For gallant conduct at Hooge, during the action of the 6 June 1916. This N.C.O. volunteered to take up some despatches, although knowing four others who had previously attempted had failed. He accomplished the task in a very short time, and brought back much valuable information from the companies in the front line, and it was through him that reinforcements were sent forward at the required time. He displayed great coolness and his work was valuable.’

Bar to M.M. London Gazette 9 July 1917. The original recommendation states:

‘In front of Vimy. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the morning of the 16 April 1917, at 6.00 a.m., a sniper’s post having been located about 500 to 600 yards in front of our line, Scout Bennett volunteered to accompany Lieutenant Curtis and a scout, and endeavour to cut him off. Although under fire from the sniper’s post, and being unaware of the strength of the enemy in a row of rifle pits, from which the sniper was working, and not knowing the position of the enemy front line, they succeeded in attaining their object at great personal risk, capturing a German Officer and man.’

Frederick Charles Bennett was born in Brighton, Sussex, on 19 January 1885. A Prospector working in Northern Alberta, he enlisted into the 31st (Alberta) Battalion at Edmonton in November 1914, and first entered France in September 1915, where he won his first M.M. for the above cited deeds at Hooge in June 1916, and a Bar for his gallantry at Vimy in April 1917.

Moreover, in further recognition of his courage and devotion to duty, Bennett was awarded the Belgian Military Decoration, 1st Class (London Gazette 24 September 1917 refers). He was discharged from the C.E.F. in February 1918 in order to take up to a commission in the Royal Flying Corps; sold with copied Canadian service papers and other research.