Trafford

Born during the June quarter 1890 in the Barton upon Irwell R.D. - ref: -
8c/671, the eldest son of James & Clara Bennett (nee Burgess).

1891 Census - Crofts Bank Road, Barton Upon Irwell.   Son - aged: 11 months
- born: Stretford.    Head of household - James Bennett - Married - aged:
23 - occ: Farm Labourer - born: Stretford.    Also - Clara Bennett - Wife -
aged: 22 - born: Flixton.

1901 Census - 29 Tamworth Street, Newton In Makerfield, Lancashire.   Son -
aged: 10 - born: Eccles.     Head of household - James Bennett - Married -
aged: 32 - occ: Dairyman - born: Eccles.    Also - Clara Bennett - Wife -
aged: 32 - born: Flixton.   Plus 3 siblings including Thomas who was also
killed during WW1.

1911 Census - Next to Taylor's Bakery, 62 Woodsend Road, Flixton.    Son -
aged: 20 - occ: Farm Labourer - born: Davyhulme.     Head of household -
James Bennett - Married - aged: 42 - occ: Brickmaker's Labourer - born:
Eccles.    Also - Clara Bennett - Wife - aged: 42 - born: Flixton.   Plus 3
siblings including Thomas who was also killed during WW1.     Plus 7
siblings including Thomas who was also killed during WW1.    James & Clara
had 13 children - 4 of those had died by 1911.

Robert enlisted into the 16th Manchester's on the 7th September 1914, which
perhaps explains why the Flixton Parish RoH Scroll states that he served
with the 16th Bn.     Posted to the 25th Reserve Battalion and to France on
the 22nd July 1916, arriving at Etaples the following day.  He was then
posted to the 19th Manchester's on the 30th July 1916.   The 19th (Service)
Battalion (4th City), was formed in Manchester on the 28th August 1914 by
the Lord Mayor and City of Manchester.   The Battalion's record was
actually the same as 16th Bn.

Initially both Battalions were established at Heaton Park but in April 1915
they moved to Belton Park, where they were placed under the command of the
90th Brigade in 30th Division.    Moved on to Larkhill in September 1915.  
 They landed in France on the 6th November 1915, concentrating near Amiens.
  On the 21st of December they transferred to 21st Brigade, still with 30th
Division.   In 1916 they were in action during the Battle of the Somme, in
which the Division captured Montauban.   In 1917 they took part in the
pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the Arras
Offensive.   The "First Battle of the Scarpe" took place between the 9th
April and the 14th April 1917.   Robert was killed on the second day of
that Battle