PLAYED WITH LILY LANGTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 225, 24 September 1942, Page 4

PLAYED WITH LILY LANGTRY

OTAKI CENTENARIAN DEAD Wellington, Sept. 23. The death occurred at Otaki yesterday of Mr, Henry Edward Bennett at the age of 102. Mr. Bennett was born at St. Heliers, on the Island of Jersey, on August 14, 1840, the fourth year of the reign of Queen Victoria, and had lived in the reigns of five British sovereigns. Four generations of descendants are living. Mr. Bennett, who was a baker and confectioner, brought his wife and family to New Zealand 67 years ago in the sailing ship Howra. He settled in Wellington, but was a man of quiet and retiring disposition, and took no part in public affairs. He retained keen eyesight and active mental faculties until the end of his long life, and could read without glasses when over 100 years of age. Among his personal memories he could recollect playing as a schoolboy with Lily Langtry, later the famous actress and Victorian beauty, who was brought up in the same village in Jersey. Mr. Bennett had a family of five, of |vhom four are still living. These are Mrs. V. Jensen, Wellington, Mrs. J. Porter, Wellington, Mrs. H. T. Wright, Hatuma, and Mrs. G. Griffiths, Frankton. His wife died 56 years ago, and his only son, Henry Bennett, died oi fever while serving in the South African War. There are 15 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren. Eight great-grandsons are serving with the forces, including three overseas.