GILBERT BENNION – WE WILL REMEMBER HIM

The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, De-Anne Kelly, today expressed sorrow at the passing of Gilbert Bennion, one of the last Australian servicemen from World War I.

Mr Bennion died this afternoon at his home in Tweed Heads. He was 106 years old.

"The men and women of this generation defined the Anzac spirit with their willingness to serve in the name of freedom and democracy," Mrs Kelly said.

"As a nation, we owe them our gratitude and our remembrance. We will ensure that their legacy lives on as we teach the values that they have taught us to future generations of Australians," she said.

Born in October 1898, Mr Bennion was working on the railways when he left his job to enlist in the Australian Imperial Force in August 1918.

Private Bennion trained at Enoggera, Queensland, and passed a non-commissioned officers’ course. He was promoted to Corporal before joining the Queensland 8th Reinforcements.

The Armistice ending the war was signed on 11 November 1918, and Corporal Bennion was later discharged without seeing overseas service. During peacetime he again served, this time as an officer in the Citizen Military Force (militia).

"At the time of enlistment, no one knew when the war would end. Men in training, such as Mr Bennion, made an important contribution to Australia’s war effort," the Minister said.

After the war, Mr Bennion rejoined Queensland Rail and later served as the last stationmaster at Tweed Heads Station.

In August 2000, Mr Bennion received the 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal, the first commemorative medal in the Australian system of honours and awards. Mr Bennion was also presented with the Centenary Medal in 2002.

Mr Bennion was an active member of the Tweed Heads community where he helped to establish the first local Senior Citizens’ Group.

With the passing of Gilbert Bennion, only three known Australian World War I veterans remain.

Media contact: Craig Clarke 0417 889 423