James and Thomas Bennett, Danygraig Cemetery

 St. Ann’s Head, near Dale, Pembrokeshire, situated on the entrance to Milford Haven waterway, one of Britain’s deep-water harbours, is St. Ann’s Head Lighthouse.

The current lighthouse was completed during 1844, was known as “St. Ann’s Low Light”, it replaced the first lighthouse having been built during 1714.  The purpose of the lighthouse was guide ships around the rocky shoals that caused a hazard to shipping entering the Haven as well as Crow’s rock.

Magnolia

63 miles west of St. Ann’s Head, the steam trawler Magnolia was fishing. During October 1909, under the command of Francis Folland.

Under sad circumstances, that the fourth-hand James Bennett, fell overboard.  James, who was Swansea, born. 

His father, Michael Bennett, lived at 56 Miers Street, St. Thomas at the time of the accident.  At the time of the 1901 Census, the family residing at 6 Caer Street, Swansea.  Michael, who lost his first wife, Mary, 1896, had remarried Esther Coakley, who had 4 children from her previous marriage.   James was 14-year-old, he had a younger brother Thomas, aged 7.

England and Wales Census
31st March 1901
6 Caer Street, Swansea

James at the time of accident was 22 years.  His name was inscribed on his family’s headstone, at Danygraig Cemetery.

11th October 1909 

15th October 1909

The Evening Express was the first to report the accident, and a few days later The Pembrokeshire Herald and General Advertiser give a detail account of what happened.

Sadly, Michael was to lose another son, Thomas, having been killed during the First World War.

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family this time were residing at 4 Salubrious Passage.  Michael Bennett, still the head of the family is a Weigher Spitter Works and his wife, Esther is Fish Merchant.  Thomas who is 16 years old is a Labourer out of work.

England and Wales Census
2nd April 1911
4 Salubrious Passage, Swansea

During the First World War, Thomas who was ranked as Guardsman, served with the Grenadier Guards, 1^st Battalion.  He was Killed in Action on the 10^th March 1915, his body having been lost, his name is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.  His name is also inscribed on the family grave, Danygraig Cemetery.