Serjeant 6403462 Frank Ernest Henry Bennett of the 4th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment was born at Lewes on the 17th of August 1917, the son of Ernest John Bennett (1892 to 1948) and Annie Gurr (1889 to 1967). After leaving school he found employment in February 1934 as a Post Office messenger and later as a postman and is recorded as such at Brighton in the 1939 Register.

Frank joined the 4th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment shortly after the outbreak of War. His sister Mary had joined the WAAF.

He went to France in 1940 and was stationed on the French/Belgian Border. His battalion was evacuated back to the UK via Dunkirk.

Whilst in England he married Flora R Wilkins in July 1941 at Laughton. The Sussex Agricultural Express for the 1st of August 1941 reports that their wedding had taken place on Thursday. Flora was the youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs W A Wilkins of 21, Church Cottages, Laughton. The service was conducted by the Reverend Pike.

In May 1942 his battalion sailed for North Africa. On the 21st of July 1942, whilst Frank was still at sea, Flora died aged 21. The Sussex Agricultural Express for the 31st reports that she was interred on Saturday the 25th. The cause of death was not stated. The paper notes Frank as being a Corporal, stating incorrectly that he was with The Royal Sussex Regiment, it also notes that Frank was on active service and could not attend the funeral.

Upon arrival in North Africa, the battalion became part of the 8th Army and fought at the battles of Alam el Halfa and El Alamein in July 1942 before leaving for Burma in December to become part of the 5th Indian Infantry Division.

Here, the battalion was sent to Kohima to stem the Japanese advance, arriving on the 4th of April 1944. The following day the Japanese assault on the city began and on the 6th Frank was killed in action; he has no known grave and is one of the 26,855 names remembered on the Rangoon Memorial in memory of those who died in Burma and who have no known grave.

He is also remembered upon the grave of Flora in Laughton churchyard, Sussex and on the parish war memorial. He is also remembered on the Lewes and Lewes sub Castro war memorials. His probate was administered to wheelwright Albert Edward Wilkins of Laughton.