Captain Basil Bennett, a veteran of the First World War, was Administrative Officer of the Special Service Brigade Headquarters. In 1915 he was a Temporary Captain serving with The Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own).

Major General Sir Robert Laycock, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O., wrote ""Basil Bennett, having fought in the First World War, was a good deal older than most of us, but he was determined to join The Commandos and succeeded in doing so. He understood the Commando mind and, as Administrative Officer of the Special Service Brigade Headquarters, fought many a winning battle for us against those in higher formations, who sometimes failed to appreciate the difficulties which face a corps d'elite.

His wisdom and forethought, his friendliness and, above all, his steadfast faith in the fighting men of The Commandos and his unbounded admiration for them, engendered an almost tangible sense of security whereever he served, whether during the gloomy days in this country or in more exacting operational conditions overseas.

After the war, as Honorary Secretary and Trustee of The Commandos' Benevolent Fund, Basil gave a great deal of his time and the benefit of his business acumen to the cause nearest to his heart, for which we must be eternally grateful. He is deeply mourned by all who knew him."

 

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