St Kilda in Port Phillip, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Lieut. J.M. Bennett

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026

1. Lieut. J.M. Bennett Marker

Inscription. In
honored memory
of
Lieut
J.M. Bennett
M.S.M.. A.E.M.
of the
Australian Flying
Corps.

Who accompanied as engineer Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith on the first flight from England to Australia, 1919 : Killed in aeroplane crash at Hendon England 13th April 1922.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 37° 52.039′ S, 144° 58.683′ E. Marker is in St Kilda, Victoria, in Port Phillip. It is at the intersection of Carlisle Street and Acland Street, on the left when traveling west on Carlisle Street. located on the north side of O'Donnell Gardens. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 Carlisle Street, St Kilda VIC 3182, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

in Australasia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in South Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Councillor Edward O'Donnell (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Captain Albert Jacka (within shouting distance of this marker); Great Scenic Railway (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Mars (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Catani Archway (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Earth (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Jupiter (approx. half a kilometer away); Venus (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St Kilda.

Also see . . . James Mallett Bennett (1894–1922). Australian Dictionary of Biography

In 1919 the Australian government offered a prize of £10,000 to the first aviator to fly from England to Australia within thirty days. Ross Smith and his brother Keith entered the race with Bennett and Shiers as their mechanics and were the first to reach Darwin. Their success aroused world-wide interest and acclaim. On 22 December the Smith brothers were knighted; Bennett and Shiers received Bars to their Air Force Medals. Popular opinion favoured greater recognition for the mechanics, especially after Ross Smith stated publicly that the success of the flight was mainly due to their skill and zeal. On 19 March 1920 the minister
Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, September 29, 2026

2. Lieut. J.M. Bennett Marker in the O'Donnell Gardens
for defence announced that Bennett had been promoted senior warrant officer,

(Submitted on November 5, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.