Bennett, Charles Reginald

Private #2334303, March 1, 1924

Cemetery marker plot: C.27.3n lat.42º56.777’N / long. -81º38.172’W

Canadian Cyclist Battalion

Charles Reginald Bennett “served with the Canadian Cyclist Battalion after attesting in the 135th and being rejected as under age. He suffered a hernia after a bike accident and also contracted chronic bronchitis. He was discharged as medically unfit. He died at Toledo Ohio from his war disease in March 1924 and is buried in Strathroy Cemetery.”

[Source: Strathroy – Caradoc Museum]

There is extensive documentation about Private Bennett, below, on this page. It seems the military maintains extensive documentation about its enlisted personnel, and tracking the documentation will provide some perspective on the tribulations private Bennett went through.

“The Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion was formed from the Canadian Divisional Cyclist Companies and existed from May 1916 until the battalion was disbanded on 15 November 1920. Ironically, the “gas-pipe cavalry” was done-in by peace and not war. As has been outlined in other historical texts, the Cyclists were an instrumental unit of Brigadier-General Raymond Brutinel’s “Independent Force” (also known as the Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade or simply “Brutinel’s Brigade”) in the 100-Day offensive which brought about the conclusion of the First World War, and the Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion distinguished themselves in the offensive. Today, the Intelligence Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces perpetuates the Canadian Cyclists as they were originally formed from the Corps of Guides troops massed at Valcartier Camp, outside Quebec City, and were intended to fill what we would recognize today as a tactical field intelligence/reconnaissance role on the battlefield.”

[Source:Canadian Corps Cyclist Battalion historian, Casey Anderson, as referenced in clickable link above]

A “condensed history of the battalion” is available by clicking the link in blue.

More pictures of the cyclists can be seen by clicking the link in blue.

Here is some extensive military documentation about Private Charles Reginald Bennett and his bureaucratic travels. It provides some perceptions about the trials and tribulations he faced as a veteran of war.

[Source: Canadian War Graves Commission]