Harold Bruce Bennett
BENNETT, Harold Bruce, MIME ED ISO MBE (1889-1956)
Harold Bruce Bennett was born on May 24, 1889 at Mount Egerton, Victoria. He was the twin son of mining engineer, Henry Goulding Bennett and his wife Frances Bennett (née Collier).
In May 1904 Harold joined the Western Australian Government Railways as an apprentice fitter at Fremantle. He then studied mechanical engineering at Perth Technical School as part of the Engineering Cadetship he held from 1906 to 1911. He served in World War 1 rising to the rank of Captain.
In December 1916 he married Doris Constance Sadlier in London, England. Returning to Australia he was appointed the Assistant Manager of the Midland Workshops in 1919. In 1922 he moved to Tasmania as Works Manager Government Railways, becoming Chief Mechanical Engineer by 1923, and Chief Engineer by 1936.
In 1941 he became General Manager of Tasmanian Government Railways. He was Chair of the Tasmanian Board of Munitions Management and commanded the northern defences of Tasmania with the rank of Lt Colonel. In 1944 he was made Director of Industrial Development for Tasmania.
In 1951 he was awarded a Master of the British Empire and in 1953 an Imperial Service Order.
He died on February 13, 1956 in Hobart, Tasmania.
References:
WikiTree - Harold Bruce Bennett
Who’s is Who in Australia 1947.
