Gilbert Bennion
Encyclopedia
Gilbert Bennion was, at age 106, one of the last surviving Australia
n veterans of World War I
.
Born in Croydon, North Queensland
, he was an apprentice railway station master in Townsville
when he enlisted on 1 August 1918 to serve in the Australian Imperial Force
. He trained at Enoggera
, was promoted to corporal
, and was discharged without serving overseas. (Not having been to Croydon in six years, he visited home to bid farewell to his parents, but by the time his stay was over two or three days later, the boat carrying his unit had sailed for New Zealand
.)
In peacetime, Bennion was an officer in the Citizens Military Force. He also rejoined Queensland Rail
and was the last stationmaster at Tweed Heads station.
Bennion received the 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal
in 2000, and the Centenary Medal
in 2002.
Bennion was the last remaining New South Wales
veteran of World War I, and died at the age of 106 in 2005.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n veterans of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Born in Croydon, North Queensland
Croydon, Queensland
Croydon is a town in Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, the town and surrounding area had a population of 255.-History:The historic goldrush town of Croydon is located in the heart of the Gulf Savannah, 562 km west of Cairns. Croydon was a large pastoral holding covering an area of...
, he was an apprentice railway station master in Townsville
Townsville, Queensland
Townsville is a city on the north-eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. Adjacent to the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, it is in the dry tropics region of Queensland. Townsville is Australia's largest urban centre north of the Sunshine Coast, with a 2006 census...
when he enlisted on 1 August 1918 to serve in the Australian Imperial Force
Australian Imperial Force
The Australian Imperial Force was the name given to all-volunteer Australian Army forces dispatched to fight overseas during World War I and World War II.* First Australian Imperial Force * Second Australian Imperial Force...
. He trained at Enoggera
Enoggera
Enoggera may refer to:*Enoggera, Queensland, a suburb of Brisbane, in Queensland, Australia*Enoggera Barracks an Australian Army base in the suburb...
, was promoted to corporal
Corporal
Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries and by some police forces or other uniformed organizations. It is usually equivalent to NATO Rank Code OR-4....
, and was discharged without serving overseas. (Not having been to Croydon in six years, he visited home to bid farewell to his parents, but by the time his stay was over two or three days later, the boat carrying his unit had sailed for New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.)
In peacetime, Bennion was an officer in the Citizens Military Force. He also rejoined Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail
Queensland Rail, also known as QR, is a government-owned railway operator in the state of Queensland. Under the control of the Queensland Government, Queensland Rail operates the inner-city and long-distance passenger services, as well as some freight operations and gives railway access to other...
and was the last stationmaster at Tweed Heads station.
Bennion received the 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal
80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal
The 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal was a commemorative medal made to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Armistice marking the end of World War I...
in 2000, and the Centenary Medal
Centenary Medal
The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
in 2002.
Bennion was the last remaining New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
veteran of World War I, and died at the age of 106 in 2005.