Military History

Embarked Fremantle per ‘Borda’ 17.1.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 28th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement.
Bennie disembarked in Egypt with the 8th Reinforcement 28th Battalion. The 51st Battalion was raised on the 1.3.1916 from the 11th and 28th Battalion Reinforcement. Bennie was placed in 4th Division, ‘B’ Company 51st Battalion. 13th Brigade. He entrained with his unit to Alexandria, joined the British Expeditionary Force and embarked for France. He disembarked at Marseilles on 11.6.1916. His Battalion moved on to the frontline at Fleurbaix 14.6.1916. He fought at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm in August 1916. Bennie was sick at the front and was transferred by Hospital Ship ‘Brighton’ at Calais to England 13.9.1916. He was transferred to Lincoln Hospital 3.9.1916 with myalgia. Bennie was discharged to Weymouth Convalescent Camp 28.11.1916 then admitted with TB to Dartford Auxiliary Hospital 26.5.1919. He was listed for early return to Australia as an invalid.
Embarked England for Australia per ‘Kanowna’ 26.8.1919.
Returned/Disembarked at Fremantle 15.10.1919.
Discharged 11.4.1920.
Final Rank Driver, ‘B’ Company, 51st Battalion.
Medical Condition Invalided, Pulmonary TB.
Awards and Medals  British War Medal, Victory Medal. Kings Silver War Badge.
Notes Prior to the War James Bennie was a champion swimmer and later became the  Club Secretary of the ' Swim Through Guildford'.  On his return from service, he moved to Sanatorium at Wooroloo with TB  following his arrival at Fremantle Port 7.10.1919. James Bennie became  the Municipal Gardener for Guildford  and assisted worked in Stirling Square. In 1934, he was accepted for the a position of Midland Municipal Gardener, on condition he sell his Guildford Home and move to Midland (Swan Express 22.1.1934). He was a noted rose grower and regularly exhibited in floral dispays and shows.
Photos HMAT 'Borda'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph source AWM PB027
             Ruins at Fleurbaix August 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0372
            Pozieres Battle Field June 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E05391
             Roses in Stirling Square Guildford.Photograph source  WAN 21.10.1932.p22

Information Source
AWM PB027. HMAT 'Borda'. Photographer Josiah Barnes, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E0372. Ruins at Fleurbaix August 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E05391. Pozieres Battle Field June 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- James Bennie
Australian War Memorial 51st Battalion. https://www.awm.gov.au/unit/U51491/
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Bennie J
Swan Express
Wesley Church Honour Roll
West Australian Newspaper
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories

‘Rothesay’, 15 Wellman Street, Guildford, WA.

Associated Images