Bennett | Reginald
Biography
Reginald Griffith Bennett (Service No. 130990) was killed in action on 16 October, 1944. He was a Lieutenant in the 2ndBattalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He was initially buried at Cemetery De Kleffen near Oploo and subsequently re-interred on 28 January 1946 in grave II. A. 10 at the Overloon Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.
Military Career
Reginald was already a Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in June 1940.
The 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was part of the British Expeditionary Force at the beginning of the war and took part in the Battle of France, with survivors being evacuated from Dunkirk in June 1940. After Dunkirk, the battalion moved to Somerset to counter a potential German invasion but in early December it was transferred to London and was not, unlike most of the rest of the Army, committed to beach defence duties. In September 1942, it was transferred to 185 Infantry Brigade which was then incorporated in the 3rd Infantry Division which landed on D-Day on 6 June 1944 with the first assault on the Normandy beaches. It fought from the Battle for Caen and the break out from Normandy to the Rhine crossing. From D-Day until the end of the war, the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment lost 286 officers and men killed in action, with nearly another 1,000 all ranks wounded, missing or suffering from exhaustion.
Following the failure to take the bridge at Arnhem in Operation Market Garden in late September 1944, the Allied Forces were left in a very precarious narrow salient through the Netherlands.
The Battalion had entered the Netherlands at Asten on 22 September, 1944. This is to the east of Eindhoven. On 1 October, in drenching rain, they moved north east from there to Malden which is between Nijmegen and the River Meuse. It was the aim of Operation Aintree to widen the salient by heading south from Nijmegen to take Overloon and then Venray before finally eliminating a German bridgehead on the River Meuse near Venlo. Initially, the US 7thArmoured Division was to undertake this task while British forces, including the 3rd Division, would move eastward, across the German frontier, and capture the forest area known as the Reichswald, from which the Germans had been launching counter attacks.
However, by 9 October, the plan changed. An attempt by the US 7th Armoured Division to take Overloon and Venray had lost many men and tanks without making much headway. Field Marshal Montgomery decided that he must postpone the Reichswald attack. He needed to clear the Scheldt estuary to open the badly needed port facilities of Antwerp and the lesser, but also essential, task of eliminating the German forces west of the Meuse. The latter objective was entrusted to 8 Corps, including the 3rd Division. The 3rd Division was to attack south east to Venray, in the hope of drawing off enemy forces while three other divisions prepared to advance eastward to Venlo.
The Battalion was therefore diverted southwards and by 12 October they had moved to near Wanroy, a village south of the Meuse and just north of Overloon. They took over from 8 Infantry Brigade which succeeded in capturing Overloon that day but were unable to make progress through the woods south of it.
Sgt. George W A Davis later gave a vivid description of the conditions which were to come: “The last good, long, sleep we had was about the 10th or 11th of October. Our clothes were filthy, we were near exhaustion, due to lack of food and sleep. It was very cold and rain and sleet all the time, so we were all wet. There were shells, mortar bombs, machine gunning, Moaning Minnies, rockets and German snipers all over the place.”
The following day the Battalion moved to a position just 500 yds north west of Overloon with the aim, along with the 2ndBattalion of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, of clearing these woods and then allowing the 1 Norfolk Battalion to pass through and advance on Venray. The Battalion achieved its objective, but they had come under heavy fire from enemy mortars, artillery and small arms fire as well as two tanks when they reached the open ground south of the wood and it had taken longer than expected to clear the woods. By the time the objective was reached it was so late that it was decided not to put the 1 Norfolk Battalion through until the next day. The Warwickshires dug in on the southern edge of the woods.
On 14 October, the 1 Norfolks continued the advance at first light, moving through the Warwickshire battalion astride the main road, while 9 Infantry Brigade attacked the woods to the west. They met very heavy opposition during the day and had to cope with swampy ground but by 1800 hours the 1 Norfolks had secured the high ground north of the Molenbeek and 9 Infantry were established in the north part of the woods. The 2 Warwickshires were then ordered to advance and secure the ground between the 1 Norfolks and 9 Brigade. B and D Companies performed this task and by dark were dug in to the right of the Norfolks overlooking the Molenbeek while A and C companies and battalion headquarters remained in their original positions.
The battalion remained in their positions during 15 October while plans were made and orders issued for the continuation of the attack on Venray the next day. The objectives for the 2 Warwickshires and the 1 Norfolks were to proceed to Brabander and the Monastery at St Servatius each supported by a squadron of tanks while the 8 Infantry Brigade focussed on Venray. They first needed to cross the Molenbeek. As the whole plan depended on getting over the Molenbeek it was vital to gather information on the stream. It was obvious that the approaches were boggy but patrols sent out that night ascertained that the Beek was about 10 feet wide, but had high and steep banks. One of the patrols was led by Lt. RG Bennett. It came back with the necessary information on the Molenbeek and enemy dispositions on the other side of it but, sadly, Lt. Bennett was killed.
Reginald’s Father’s Family
Reginald’s family came from South Wales – an area dominated at that time by the South Wales coalfield.
His father was Reginald Vivian Fred Bennett (or Scott Bennett). He was born in Tredegar on 9 June 1894. He was one of three children adopted by George Andrew Bennett and Elizabeth Ann Bennett (nee Davies) who were running the Mountain Ash Inn in Tirphil near Tredegar in 1901. The children’s birth surname was Scott, but they later took the name Bennett. After George died in 1903, the family were still there with Elizabeth as Landlady in 1911. George was born in Pontypridd and Elizabeth in Nantyglo.
Reginald’s Mother’s Family
Reginald’s mother, Selina Lucretia Griffiths (known as Lucy), was the youngest child of John and Mary Griffiths (nee Powell) who had a total of 8 children. Selina was born in Merthyr Tydfil in 1888 but the other children were all born in Pontypridd suggesting the family moved to Merthyr Tydfil between 1884 and 1888. In 1891 they were living at 7, Tramroad Side, Merthyr Tydfil. Her father was a carpenter. Selina’s mother died between 1891 and 1901 by which time most of the children had either married or were boarding in other households. Selina, along with her father, was living with her brother, Richard M Griffiths, and his family in Swansea in 1901 and they were still with Richard in 1911, now in Cardiff. In 1911 Selina was working as a waitress. Her brother, Richard, was a butcher. By 1921 he had a butcher’s shop called R M Griffiths at 20 Merthyr Road, Whitchurch where he and his family also lived.
Reginald’s Birth Family and Marriage
Reginald V F S Bennett married Selina L Griffiths in the Cardiff area in 1915. They had two children, both born in Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil: Brenda Muriel Bennett on 2 April 1916 and Reginald Griffith Bennett (known as Reg) on 1 April 1918. Brenda was a twin but sadly her twin was dead at birth. They also had another son, Vivian, who died at 8 months old from Bright’s disease. Reg was 6 years old and Brenda 8 years old when this tragedy struck the family.
In 1921 Reginald (Snr) and Selina were living at 26, Dane Street, Merthyr Tydfil with their two children and a 33 year old Boarder. Reginald (Snr) was working for Giles and Harraps Brewers as a barman in the licensing trade.
Reginald (Snr) had joined the Army in WW1 but caught tuberculosis and was invalided out immediately. He had attended the same grammar school as his son Reg later attended but because of TB was forced to work in outside spaces. Frustration and depression at the situation led to drinking and he became an alcoholic. Lucy, having lost 2 babies and with a sick husband who was in and out of Sanitoriums, became agoraphobic. Brenda took on responsibilities from an early age, including looking after young Reg, whom she adored. They were an inseparable pair, spirited and relying on each other, and were always very close.
Reg was a very gifted child and academically very clever. He gained the highest marks in South Wales in his Common Entrance exam and went to the Lewis School at Pengam near Blackwood which was a Grammar School. He was also a good sportsman and played in the school rugby team. On 8 September 1934 the Merthyr Express, Aberdare and East Glamorgan Herald, Tredegar and West Monmouth Times showed him achieving the school certificate and supplementary certificate; on 7 September 1935 it says he was exempted from the University of Wales Matriculation Exams and on 28 August 1937 it reports that he was awarded his Higher Certificate. Brenda had gone to Truro to train as a teacher and Reg went to Cardiff University where he read Biological Science and was planning to study medicine.
In September 1939, Reg was living with his parents at 14, Wheatley Place, Blackwood. Reginald (Snr) was described as a coachbuilder & painter while Reg was a University Student. Brenda had moved to Kent and was working as an Assistant Mistress in a school.
It was while at University that Reg met Joan Meredith who studied with him. She always said how much help and support he gave her during their studies. They fell in love and wanted to marry, but Joan’s mother advised against it, as she didn’t want her daughter to become a war widow. Joan never forgot her words and felt she had been denied the opportunity of more time with Reg and a possible child.
Sadly, Reg’s mother died in June 1940. It was announced in the Merthyr Express, Aberdare and East Glamorgan Herald, Tredegar and West Monmouth Times of 15 June as follows:
“Late Mrs R. Bennett – Mrs Lucy Bennett wife of Mr Reginald Bennett of Wheatley Place Blackwood, died at the Royal Gwent Hospital. Mrs Bennett was the daughter of the late Mr J Griffiths, builder and contractor, Merthyr, and was 51 years of age.”
Reg’s sister, Brenda, married David T. Evans, a teacher from Aberdare, in the Blackwood area six or seven weeks later. David Evans served in the RAF, including 2 years in India. They went on to have two children, David in 1942 and Beverley in 1948.
The announcement of Reginald’s own engagement appeared in the Merthyr Express on 25 December 1943 as follows: “Bennett – Meredith – the engagement is announced between Lieutenant Reginald Griffith Bennett, the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, only son of Mrs R.V.F. Scott Bennett and the late Mrs Bennett of Wheatley Place, Blackwood, and Joan, second daughter of Mr and Mrs W J Meredith of Bryn Roma, Aberfan.”
It went on to announce their marriage in the edition of 5 February 1944 as follows: “Bennett-Meredith At Bethania Chapel, Aberfan on Feb 1 Lieut. R G Bennett (Royal Warwickshire Regt.) only son of Mr R Scott Bennett, Blackwood, to Miss Joan Meredith BSc second daughter of Mr and Mrs Meredith, Moy Road Aberfan.”
Sadly, the Western Mail of 15 November 1944 reported that Reginald Griffith Bennett, Lieutenant, Royal Warwickshires, was killed in action in North-west Europe in October, the only son of Mr and the late Mrs R V Bennett, Wheatley Place, Blackwood, and husband of Joan (nee Meredith), Moy Road, Aberfan.
Reg’s father died in 1965 in the district of Pontypool in Monmouthshire.
Joan Meredith’s Family
Joan’s parents were William John Meredith and Gwladys Meredith (nee Manuel).
William John Meredith was born in 1885, the eldest of 7 children of Edward Elias Meredith and Mary Ann Meredith (nee Griffiths). Two children died in infancy. All the children were born in Merthyr Vale which is adjacent to Aberfan. In 1891 they were living at 5, Bridge Street, Merthyr Tydfil, then from at least 1901, at Maesgwynne, 38, Aberfan Road, Aberfan. Edward worked in the coal mining industry as did most of William’s brothers. In 1901 William was working as an apprentice boiler maker but in 1911 he was working as a coal mine timekeeper, below ground.
Gwladys Manuel was born in 1890, the eldest of 5 children of Thomas and Annie Manuel, all born in Merthyr Vale. In 1891 and 1891 they were living at 15, Windsor Place which seems to be just south of Merthyr Vale. Thomas was a Collier, who, by 1911 was a Colliery Foreman below ground. By then the family had moved to 22 Moy Road, Aberfan. Gwladys was working as a teacher in an Elementary School while two of her brothers were working at the Colliery. In 1921, the family, except Gwladys who had married, were still living at the same address, but Gwladys’ father had died. All four of Gwladys’ brothers were working in one capacity or another for Nixon’s Navigation Colliery Company which had pits at Mountain Ash.
William John Meredith and Gwladys Manuel married in 1914 in the Merthyr Tydfil area. They had three children all born in Aberfan: Mair on 13/5/1915, Joan on 13/12/1919 and Anne (known as Nancy) on 30/10/1921. In 1921 William and Gwladys were living with Mair and Joan at 43, Moy Road, Aberfan, not far from Gwladys’ parents. William was working as a Colliery Clerk Underground at Nixon’s Navigation Colliery Company. They were at the same address in 1939. Joan was a University Student.
William John Meredith died in 1963 and Gwladys Meredith died on 11/10/1981 aged 91. Her address at the time was still 43 Moy Street Aberfan.
Joan Bennett
It has been seen that Reg and Joan Bennett married in February 1944, just a few months before Reg was killed in action in October 1944. They never had any children.
Joan was in her first teaching post as a biology teacher at Coalbrookdale School, Ironbridge, Shropshire when Reg was killed. After his death, she returned home to the family in Aberfan. Her next post was at Quakers Yard Grammar School from 1944-1967 and then, from 1967 until she retired, at Afon Taf High School where she was Senior Mistress. Both were located near Aberfan.
Reg’s sister wanted Joan to get married again. It would have been Reg’s wishes for her to have her own family. However, she never did re-marry, probably because she felt that Reg could never be replaced.
Joan had a very strong emotional bond with the people of the Netherlands, visited every year she could and paid a local family to care for Reg’s grave. David and Beverley became Joan’s surrogate children. She was Beverley’s godmother and Beverley went on one of the trips to Holland with her as a young school girl. They also had a young Dutch man come and stay one summer, the same age as David.
Pupils, teachers and others who remember her have commented:
“Mrs Bennett was a well respected and much loved teacher in QYGS. Every Easter she organised a school trip for the 2nd form to Holland. It was understood that her late husband had been killed during the battle for Arnhem (sic). She was always treated with great respect by the Dutch coach drivers who ferried us around Holland.”
“I remember Joan Bennet very well, she lived near me in Aberfan and was my Biology teacher, a lovely lady and one of the best teachers in the school”.
“She taught me A level Zoology 1961-63 – she was a nice sociable teacher & lady.”
She was in the Soroptomists and was described by a fellow Soroptomist who also taught with her as a much loved colleague and friend.
She lived in Moy Road, part of which was devastated in the dreadful Aberfan Disaster of 21 October, 1966 in which 116 children and 28 adults were killed when a colliery slag heap which sat above Aberfan formed a landslide which engulfed Pantglas Junior School and nearby houses. Her own house was very close to the area of the village which was destroyed. Her actions on that day are remembered as follows: “At the time of the Aberfan Disaster, she opened up her house & co-ordinated us local sixth formers to make tea & sandwiches for those digging. I remember her fondly.” Her sister Nancy was the local Health Visitor who knew all the children in the school. She spent three days identifying the bodies of those who had died.
Joan’s sister, Mair Meredith, married John (Jack) H Morgan in the Merthyr Tydfil District in 1945. She was a Domestic Science teacher. They had no children.
Her sister Nancy married Frederick D Marshall in 1970. In 2002-5 they were living at 11, Beechwood Road, Crickhowell, Powys, NP8 1PL. Frederick died in 2005 in this area.
After she retired, Joan Bennett went to Crickhowell to look after her sister. Joan died at home in Crickhowell on 3 April 2016 aged 96.
Reg’s niece, Beverley, had the sad task of clearing out the house in Moy Road after Joan’s death. They found a trunk in a small attic which contained Reg’s uniform, slippers and other personal items.
Beverley and her husband Garrick took her ashes, as requested by her, to Reg’s grave in Overloon.
The Effects of the War on Others in the Community
Reg’s niece, Beverley, recalled the following:
“After the war ended, my mum was visiting her father in Blackwood and met the only surviving friend from Reg’s school boy days. 8 young men used to frequent the family home every Saturday after Rugby, where they’d sing around the piano while Lucy cooked supper for eight hungry young men. The only one that came home had been left wheelchair bound, so disfigured, with multiple amputations after being found after 2 days on the beach in Dunkirk. My mum said he had been the most handsome of young men, full of life and optimism and now wishing he’d been left to die.
I remember seeing Reg’s last Speech day programme, with all the wonderful achievements and prizes given to the huge list of young men. Later my mother had put a line through all those young men who died in the war. The list and numbers were horrendous and something I’ve never forgotten, all from a small Welsh Grammar School, all with the promise of a better future, taken away.”
