Bennett Richard Stubbings was born in northern rural Essex, the son of a farmer who he assisted at work. He served in the army during the war and was killed in action in June 1918. His parents lived in New Writtle Street.

Bennett was born at Great Sampford in 1894. He was the son of another Bennett Richard Stubbings and Harriet Ellen Stubbings (nee Andrews) who had married in 1889 and had been living in Great Sampford in 1891. Richard’s father had been born in 1863; his mother c1867.

The 1901 census recorded seven year-old Bennett living with his parents and sister Harriet Ellen (aged 5) at Mount Hall in Little Sampford (a third child died in infancy). Bennett’s father was a 37 year-old farmer. His mother was aged 34. The three elder members of the family had all been born at Great Sampford, while Harriet Ellen had been born at Little Sampford.

A decade later the 1911 census found 17 year-old Bennett living with his parents and sister at Bardfield End Green, Thaxted. His father was still a farmer, while Bennett and his sister were both employed assisting him.

Bennett lived and enlisted at Thaxted. He was killed in action on 15th June 1918 while serving as Private 1623 in the 2/5th Battalion of the Essex Regiment attached to 2/4th Battalion of the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He was aged 22.

Today he rests at Rue-Du-Bacquerot (13th London) Graveyard, Laventie, Pas de Calais in France (grave: D. 33).

Bennett is commemorated on the Civic Centre Memorial, Chelmsford and at Thaxted Church. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals. He is not commemorated by the war memorial at St. John’s Church, Moulsham.

The 1918 register of electors listed his parents at 23 New Writtle Street, Chelmsford (next door to the Bird in Hand pub, a site that was redeveloped in the 1960s).

Bennett’s father died in 1942, aged 78.

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