Formative years
One has only to read copies of The Peterite to understand and appreciate the significant impact that school had on Len as he attended as a day boarder during the late 1930’s. A great sense of duty, loyalty and fierce independence was instilled in Len and his peers, as he took advantage of the academic and sporting opportunities provided by the school. Its traditions, founded on 1300 years of existence, playing a huge part in day to day school life.
Leonard William Bennett joined Temple House in 1936 as a day boarder having spent time in St Olaves.
He is mentioned in Salvete (salute) in the December 1935 issue of The Peterite
Sport at St Peter's
Sport played a big part in Len’s life at St Peters School. He was a keen cricketer, having played at St Olaves, and went on to be picked for the 2nd XI at the age of 15 and was a regular member of the 1st X1 at the age of 16. He was an opening batsman and was good enough to be selected for Northern Public Schoolboys in 1938.
In winter he played hockey and was selected to play for the 1st X1
Len played against other schools, the school staff and other cricket teams in the area. One particularly good match for Len was against Durham when he took a catch and scored 87 runs before being stumped
St Peter’s School, York – whole school photo taken in 1938. Len Bennett is arrowed on the back row.
Len was a capable student at St Peters and favoured languages and classics. He was marked out as a potential leader in later reports. Len also became one of the editors of The Peterite.
Len Bennett left St Peter’s in 1939 at the age of 17. A few months later he would sign up for the pilot training programme of the RAF
St Peter's during the war
The school kept track of its former students throughout the war years. News of those missing in action or taken prisoner were posted in The Peterite, published three times a year. News of Len Bennett’s capture and POW status was posted in the October 1943 issue just two months after his Mustang Mk 1 crashed in Northern France
