Description
British War and Victory Medal, Armata Altipiani Medal, 2nd Lieut Joseph Laurie Bennet, Royal Artillery, Severely Wounded 1st Day Second Battle of Piave at the “Asiago Plateau” on 15th June 1918.
On 15th June 1918, the first day of the Second Battle of the Piave River, aka Battle of the Solstice, 2nd Lieut JL Bennet was “very severely wounded” in action whilst fighting as part of the Multi-National Force of Italy, UK, France and USA against the Austro-Hungarian Army on the Piave.
He fell but the battle was won, marking a decisive blow to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the “Central Powers”, upon hearing of the defeat, General Erich Ludendorff, “had the sensation of defeat for the first time”.
The battle was one of the famous moments for Italy, and a deadly blow to the ailing and soon to be dismantled, Austrian-Hungary Empire.
The group mounted as worn on original ribbons.
WW1 Pair officially impressed: “2. Lieut. J.L. Bennet”
An unusual Group, the “Altipiani Medal” was not officially intended to be worn, and is not typically mounted with other medals, however as he played an important role in the earning of the medal where his Army Career was cut short by being severely wounded, he chose to wear it in his group, whilst the ribbon is quite frayed this was the original silk ribbon it was issued with.
Full entitlement, having been first posted overseas as an Officer to Italy in February 1918.
With a digital copy of his Army Service file, which is very detailed being about 57 pages long.
Joseph Laurie Bennett, was a 2nd Lieutenant in the X Siege Battery, 94th Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery, who took part in the important Second Battle of the Piave River.
He was “Very Severely Wounded” in action on 15th June 1918, place: “Asiago Plateau, Italy”.
On that day he received a “GSW” Gun Shot Wound to the Right Knee which fractured and also into his right calf.
“1. The Right Knee was penetrated above patella by fragment of shell which passed out by popliteal space, condyle fracture and joint became septic.
2. Calf Wound carried away considerable muscular tissue, Leg still on splint, Wounds now dry for a considerable time.”
The same day he as wounded, he was immediately invalided, taken to a hospital in France, before departing from Havre to Southampton on 5th September 1918.
He spent many months recovering in Hospital back in Scotland, in the end he was assesses by various medical boards but found to be discharged on account of ill-health “Caused by wounds” on 26th April 1919.
Whilst in Hospital he got promoted up from 2nd Lieut to Lieut in August, he writes a letter from Prince of Wales Hospital on 22nd October 1918:
“Could you please direct me how to obtain the necessary papers or forms for applying for any monies due to me in respect of wounds received in action, by me, on the 15th of June 1918, in Italy. I have been in hospital since that date and am presently at the above address.
2. Could you please tell me, am I entitled to any pension, on my discharge from the service, with a partially stiff, possible permanently damaged knee?
I am at present a 2nd Lieut: having served as such since 23rd Feb 1917. in the ordinary course of events had I been with my unit, I should have been recommended fro promotion to full Lieut: on the completion of 18 months service as 2nd Lieut: which fell due in August of this year while I was in hospital…”
Joseph Laurie Bennett was a Scotsman, who was born in the capital on 7th July 1895, at Merchiston, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.
Unlike most officers he was not born into money, he worked as a Tinsmith in the lead up to the war, his father John Harper Bennet was a Gas Meter Works Manager in the city.
He was educated at Edinburgh Academy circa 1907-1909.
After the outbreak he first signed on with the local “Forth R.G.A.” as a Gunner at Edinburgh on 2nd December 1914.
He “Signed on for Foreign service” on 15th October 1915, being appointed as Acting Bombardier on 1st Jan 1916.
Promoted up to Bombardier on 5th July 1916, followed by another promotion to Corporal on 14th August 1916.
Showing promised he was “Interviewed and considered suitable for Officer Cadetship” on 26th September 1916.
Having remained at home, with No 3 Company, Forth RGA, he was discharged “on obtaining commission on 27th February 1917.
Now that he was a 2nd Lieutenant, he finally proceeded overseas for active service on 23rd February 1918, when his unit was posted to Italy.
Just under 4 months later he was involved in the Second Battle of the Piave River.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_the_Piave_River
Joseph would remain in Edinburgh for most of his life, he died in the neighbourhood of Newington during 1965.
