| Gilbert Bennion | |
 Bennion at the age of 100 | |
| Birth: | 1 October 1898 Croydon, Queensland, Australia |
| Death: | 27 January 2005 Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia |
| Age: | 106 years, 118 days |
| Country: |  AUS
|
| Centenarian | |
Gilbert Edward Bennion (1 October 1898 – 27 January 2005) was an Australian centenarian who, at the age of 106 years, 118 days, was one of the last surviving Australian veterans of World War I.
Biography[]
Bennion was born in Croydon, Queensland, Australia on 1 October 1898. He was an apprentice railway station master in Townsville when he enlisted on 1 August 1918 to serve in the Australian Imperial Force. He trained at Enoggera, was promoted to corporal, and was discharged without serving overseas.
Not having been to Croydon in six years, Bennion visited his home to bid farewell to his parents, but by the time his stay was over two or three days later, the boat carrying his unit had sailed for New Zealand.
In peacetime, Bennion was an officer in the Citizens Military Force. He also rejoined Queensland Rail and was the last stationmaster at Tweed Heads station.
Honours[]
Bennion received the 80th Anniversary Armistice Remembrance Medal in 2000, and the Centenary Medal in 2002.
Death[]
Bennion died in Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia on 27 January 2005 at the age of 106 years, 118 days. At the time of his death, he was the last remaining New South Wales Australian veteran of World War I.
Gallery
References[]
- Gilbert Edward Bennion (1898–2005) FamilySearch
- GILBERT BENNION – WE WILL REMEMBER HIM Minister for Veterans' Affairs, 27 January 2005 (Archived)
- World War I veteran Gilbert Bennion dead The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 January 2005 (Archived)
- Looking back: Meet our last Anzac Gilbert Bennion The Daily Telegraph, 23 October 2013