The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. H E Bennett

Hector Ernest Bennett was born on 2nd June 1918, the son of Ernest Bennett and Agnes Bennett (nee Stephenson) of Derby and he attended Bemrose School there.

After leaving he passed the Civil Service Exam and took up an appointment in Cambridge.

He joined the RAFVR around July 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot. He was called up on 1st September 1939, did his elementary flying at No. 1 EFTS Hatfield and completed his training at 9 FTS Hullavington on No. 20 Course, which ran from 9th June to 7th September 1940.

He went to 6 OTU Sutton Bridge on 7th September and after converting to Hurricanes joined 43 Squadron at Usworth on the 28th.

Bennett moved to 249 Squadron at North Weald on 10th November 1940 and then to 17 Squadron at Martlesham Heath on the 16th. He was posted to 257 Squadron, also at Martlesham, on the 28th and joined it on 5th December.

His final move was to 145 Squadron at Tangmere, which he joined on 21st December 1940.

Bennett was killed on 4th February 1941 in Oxford P1081 of the Central Flying School when he crashed on approach to Alton Barnes. He was 22.

Also killed were:

Sgt. FGP Shaw
Cpl. NE Rowe
AC1 ES Orbell
AC2 JY Varley

Bennett was cremated at Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol.

Above image courtesy of Kirsty Poole.