Long-time philatelist Alfred Bennett died on July 21 at age 102 in Surrey, B.C.
Bennett started his stamp collecting career as a young school boy of eight years old, and 94 years later, he was still active in buying and selling and always adding to his extensive collection.
Bennett was born June 1, 1920, in Musselburgh, Scotland. Early in his life, he was an honourable “Warrior” in serving his King and Country in the Second World War.
Bennett was a Lance Corporal with the First Lothian and Borders Yeomanry Armoured Division, serving as a tank commander, and saw heavy action in North Africa and Italy. Later, he went on the serve in London’s Metropolitan Police.
Bennett was a founding member of the Peace Arch Stamp Club in April 1986. He was awarded the club’s first “Life Time Membership” at age 98.
The club’s Alfred Bennett cover won first place in the 2020 CSN Cover Contest as Canada’s oldest active Philatelist at age 100. A personalized Picture Postage stamp was printed through Canada Post for the occasion.
His vast knowledge of stamps and his stories will be greatly missed by the philatelic community.