Victor James Bennetts (SN 5978) listed his occupation as ‘dealer’ when, as a 36 year old from Eureka Street Ballarat, he enlisted in March 1916. He trained in Ballarat with the 14th Depot Battalion before transferring to the 8th Battalion reinforcements. He embarked from Melbourne on July 28th aboard the Themistocles, bound for overseas service. He was destined not to travel beyond England. A charge of being absent without leave, and a transfer in May 1917 to the 65th Battalion, appear to have been the most significant events during his period of service up to July 1917 when he left England to return to Australia aboard the Nestor. He disembarked at Melbourne on September 24th 1917 and was discharged a little more than a month later as ‘medically unfit – lumbago’. He died in April 1952 aged 68 years.