Brother of Lieutenant Colonel Charles Moihi Te Awawaka Bennett DSO, Captain Frederick Tiwha Bennett, Captain Manuhuia Augustus Bennett, Lieutenant Albert Te Auheke Bennett, Lieutenant Henry Bennett and Flight Lieutenant Edward Te Keu Bennett, Second World War.

Attended Te Aute College. Began naval training at HMNZS Tamaki on Motuihe Island, Hauraki Gulf and then travelled to England for naval flight training at HMS Daedalus. First Maori naval officer.

See also, Rose Evans, 'Against All Odds', The White Ensign, Royal New Zealand Navy Museum Journal, Issue 03, Summer 2007.

Served 25/10/1944-23/10/1946. Joined the Scheme F recruitment programme to supply pilots to the Fleet Air Arm. Started at HMNZS TAMAKI as Naval Airman 2nd Class for a brief basic training then went to PHILOMEL in November 1944. He was sent by sea to Britain in early 1945 and had arrived at the Fleet Air Arm training establishment HMS DAEDALUS on 8/2/1945. He trained there until July 1945 but was reverted in rate to Ordinary Seaman. This was because there was no need to train him as a pilot as he would not complete the training in time. It is understood he returned to New Zealand but according to his posting record card he was promoted to Temporary Acting Sub-Lieutenant at the shore establishment HMS KING ALFRED on 14/4/1946 where wartime commissioned officers had received part of their training. He was posted back by August 1946 and was demobilised on 23/10/1946 and his commission withdrawn. AWMM