Ajax Veterans Street Dedication: Bennett Avenue

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Street Name: Bennett Avenue
Name of Veteran: Edward Donald Bennett Dec. 4, 1913-Dec. 19, 1941
Rank: Leading Seaman
Ship Served: HMS Ajax
Date of Service on Ship: 1939
Year of Visit/Dedication: n/a
Veteran or Family Visit: n/a
Veteran of the Battle of the River Plate: Yes
Died at Battle: No

Edward Donald Bennett was the eldest son of Coastguard Arthur Bennett and Mercy Bennett of Cromer, Norfolk. He attended Cromer Boys’ School and worked at the Norfolk News Co.

Edward joined the Royal Navy at the age of fifteen. He sailed from Avonmouth for Kingston, West Indies on December 23, 1938, on the same Elders and Fyffes Banana trade steamer, SS Cavina, as other future Ajax shipmates. Many, like him, were fresh out of HMS Ganges, including John Garrard, Stanley Charles Harris, and Jack Oxlade. He was later transferred to HMS Ajax and participated in the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939. He marched alongside his shipmates in London to celebrate the victory over the Graf Spee.

He was married to Kathleen Marian Abel in 1936 and lived in Suffolk Park.

Edward always had an interest in sport. While in the Royal Navy he played cricket and hockey for the ship’s team. He even broke his ankle on the ship during a game of hockey.

Edward died shortly after being transferred to HMS Neptune. On December 19, 1941 the ship hit mines off the North African coast and sank, leaving only one survivor. Edward was only twenty eight years old.

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