Private Joseph Bennett

Private Joseph Bennett, 1st/8th (Pioneer) Battalion, Royal Scots. He was killed in France, aged 24, on the 22nd May 1916 and is buried in Maroeuil British Cemetery, France. He had been born in Galashiels and was the son of Michael and the late Helen Bennett of 18 Banks Close, Galashiels. His battalion was designated “Pioneer” and during this period worked in the Arras area digging trenches and repairing roads. Casualties were suffered from shelling and sniping. The 8th Battalion had the distinction of being the first of the Scottish Territorial Battalions to be deployed at the front (November 1914).