Gordon Bennett (general)
| Henry Gordon Bennett | |
|---|---|
Lieutenant General Gordon Bennett c. 1962
|
|
| Born |
15 April 1887 Balwyn, Melbourne |
| Died |
1 August 1962 (aged 75) Dural, Sydney |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1908–44 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held |
III Corps (1942–44) 8th Division (1940–42) 2nd Division (1926–32) 9th Infantry Brigade (1921–26) 3rd Infantry Brigade (1916–18) 6th Battalion (1915–16) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |
Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Distinguished Service Order Volunteer Decoration Mentioned in Despatches (8) Knight Commander of the Order of Prince Danilo I (Montenegro) |
| Other work | Orchardist; Company director; Board chairman |
Lieutenant General Henry Gordon Bennett CB, CMG, DSO, VD (15 April 1887 – 1 August 1962) was a senior Australian Army officer who served in both World War I and World War II. Despite highly decorated achievements during World War I, during which he commanded at both battalion and brigade level and became the youngest general in the Australian Army, Bennett is best remembered for his role in the Battle of Singapore in February 1942 in the Pacific War. As commander of the 8th Australian Division, he escaped while his men became prisoners of the Imperial Japanese Army. After this, Bennett's military career waned and, although he rose to command a corps, he never again commanded troops in battle. In 1945, his escape caused controversy and resulted in a Royal Commission, which found that he had been unjustified in relinquishing his command.
A citizen soldier, before World War I Bennett had worked in the insurance industry and at the conclusion of hostilities pursued his commercial interests while continuing to serve in the military in a part-time capacity, commanding at brigade and divisional level. He retired from the Army after World War II and turned to farming in the Blue Mountains. He remained active in the world of business and as a military commentator, before dying at the age of 75.
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