BENNETTS Rita Mary

Rita Mary Bennetts was born at Pendeen, Cornwall in 1893, the sixth daughter of James and Mary Bennetts. She trained as a nurse at West Cornwall Infirmary in Penzance. In 1911 she lived with her family at Merrivale House, Pendeen. She was nursing wounded servicemen at the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley when she contracted influenza and subsequently pneumonia. She succumbed to the infection, dying in the hospital on the 11th November 1918.

She is remembered on Pendeen War Memorial, Cornwall.

The following newspaper report is courtesy of Veronica Coak:
Cornishman 20th November 1918
DEATH OF MISS RITA BENNETTS.
FUNERAL AT PENDEEN
We regret to chronicle the death of Nursing Sister Rita Mary Bennetts, daughter of Mrs. Bennetts, of Merivale House, Trewellard, Pendeen, who passed away after a brief illness at the Welsh Hospital, Netley, where she was held in high esteem. Deceased spent some time in the Penzance Infirmary, where she was highly esteemed. Mrs. Bennetts and family have the deepest sympathy of all in their irreparable loss. The remains were taken from Netley Hospital to the railway station, the coffin was covered with wreaths and the Union Jack. The nurses and staff of Netley Hospital followed the coffin to the station. The remains were then brought to Trewellard. The internment took place on Sunday in the presence of hundreds of sympathisers, the church choir were present and sang deceased’s favourite hymns. The Rev. B. Lumb officiated. The “Dead March” was played by Miss White. The coffin was of polished pitch pine with massive brass mountings, with the inscription: “Nursing Sister Rita Mary Bennetts, died November 11th, 1918, aged 25 years.”
A long list of mourners ends the report.

Mrs. BENNETTS and FAMILY desire to express their sincere thanks to their numerous friends for kind inquiries and sympathy shown them during their recent sad and unexpected bereavement, to the Rev. B. Lumb, those who sent floral tributes and letters of sympathy, and to all who attended the funeral of their loved one.
Mervile House, Trewellard, Pendeen, November 18th, 1918.

All photographs courtesy and copyright of Veronica Coak.