Royal Garrison Artillery
George Rowland Bennett was born in Coleford in 1871, the son of George and Hannah Bennett. He was a blacksmith by trade.
He attested as a Gunner 93192 in the Royal Artillery on 28 September 1892 and was discharged at the end of his period of service on 27 September 1904. He served six years and 202 days in India but took no part in any campaigns. The remainder of his service was at home.
On 11 April 1903 he married Flora Ethel Grindall at Berry Hill (Christchurch) Church. In the 1911 Census he and his family were living at Severn View, High View Road, Cinderford and he was employed as an assistant supervisor for the Prudential Assurance Co Ltd.
He was probably recalled from the Reserve at the start of the Great War but had no overseas service during it.
George died at Cambridge Hospital, Aldershot on 1 March 1917, age 45 years, after suffering a fractured skull after being thrown from a horse.
Sergeant George Rowland Bennett was buried in Forest of Dean (Christchurch) Cemetery. Over time the private headstone, set set low in the ground, became covered up by brambles and other plant growth. In 2018 the location of the grave was discovered and the plant growth cleared: hopefully it will be kept cleared by the cemetery grounds maintenance team.
Research by Eric Nichols 2018