| Notes |
- During World War 1, George was a driver in the Army Service Corps. It didn’t become the Royal Army Service Corps until 1918. Several Reserve Depots of the Army Service Corps’ Horse Transport Companies were based at Blackheath during that time, specifically, the three companies numbered 666, 667, and 668, all formed in April 1916.
A driver in the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) Horse Transport Companies in 1917 would primarily have been handling horses in the traditional sense, managing draught horses that pulled carts and wagons, not driving motorized vehicles. The corps’ horse transport section was responsible for moving supplies using teams of horses pulling wagons, carts, and artillery. These drivers were skilled in handling horses and wagons, as motor transport was still limited at that time and horses were essential for supply and transport to and near the front lines.
These drivers managed powerful draught horses used to haul standard army wagons carrying food, ammunition, and other supplies. The combination of two horses and a wagon functioned similarly to a truck for the army supply chain. Motor vehicles existed, including steam-powered vehicles like the one below, but were not yet predominant. The driver’s primary role was horse management rather than driving motorized transport.
Egypt 1921
George became a Sergeant in the 493rd Motor Transport Company of the Royal Army Service Corps. The Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) was responsible for supply and transport duties, and its Motor Transport Companies maintained and operated motor vehicles supporting army logistics. In 1921, he was posted to Egypt and/or Sudan as part of the Egypt Expeditionary Force at the age of 32. He had been married for 4 years, i.e. since 1917. His posting may explain why his first child, Doris, was not born before 1924, 7 years into the marriage.
The British Army was in Egypt in 1921 primarily to maintain control and stability during a turbulent period following World War I. Britain had occupied Egypt since 1882, originally to protect the Suez Canal and British interests in the region. After the war, Egypt experienced strong nationalist movements and widespread unrest, including major strikes and riots in 1919 and 1921, challenging British authority.
In 1921, the British still effectively governed Egypt under a protectorate, despite growing Egyptian demands for independence. British military presence was crucial to managing civil disturbances, securing strategic assets like the Suez Canal, where George was stationed, and supporting British political interests as negotiations over Egypt’s status progressed. The British administration sought to navigate Egypt’s nationalist aspirations while retaining influence, leading to the eventual unilateral declaration of Egyptian independence in 1922, though British troops remained in the country for some time after.
A Granddaughter’s Memories
In July 2025, Tricia Owen, granddaughter of George Bennett, wrote, ‘George and Emma returned to Ashurstwood. My Uncle George and Auntie Doris (their children) were born in Norfolk and there was another daughter called Mabel. They owned a sweet shop (I think on one of the certificates it says confectioner). One day, when Mabel was 3 years old, she ran out of the shop and was run over and killed and it seems that after that they moved back to Ashurstwood. They lived in Hammerwood Road and I can remember visiting that house. My Mum (Margaret Bennett) and then my Uncle Sam (real name Ernest) were born there and that is where they grew up going to the primary school in Ashwood and the secondary school in East Grinstead. They still lived there when my parents (Robin and Margaret) got married in Forest Row church.
‘In Ashurstwood my grandfather ended up as the school caretaker or maintenance person. They then moved to Strood to live with Aunty Doris when she was matron of Gravesend Hospital. I can remember visiting Hammerwood Road but I can also remember my grandfather looking after my hamster when we went on holiday and that was the house in Strood so they must have moved late 60’s.’
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1889 - 1972 (83 years)
Residence
