Age 27. 72 Humphrey Street, Swampscott, MA. Born 5/21/1915, Lynn, MA. Died 11/30/1942 (Monday), at 5:30 a.m., at Boston City Hospital, carbon monoxide poisoning and burns (death certificate). Resident physician at Free Hospital for Women, Brookline, MA. Fiancée Miss Edith Leadbetter, age 26 (Born 11/23/1916, in Lynn. Died as Edith L. Dunlap on 9/19/1963, at Lewiston, ME, after an illness, age 46), also of Swampscott, was severely injured. Couple was observing the first wedding anniversary of friends Mr. and Mrs. Gerald and Virginia Downer, ages 27 and 24 respectively, of Beverly, MA, both dead. His fiancée and Mrs. Downer were coworkers at United Shoe Machinery Corp., of Beverly. Foursome was seated at a main dining room table near the foyer entrance opposite the stage. "Drawing Miss Leadbetter close to him and shielding her as much as possible, Dr. Bennett managed to get outside the building. Before he got out himself, however, his clothing and body formed almost a human torch..." (Daily Evening Item, Lynn, 11/30/1942). "A throat operation performed in an effort to save his life proved unsuccessful..." (Lewiston Evening Journal, Lewiston, ME, 12/17/1942). Was a graduate of Hebron Academy (boys' prep school), Hebron, ME. Graduate of Dartmouth College in 1937, where he captained the football team his senior year. "He played tackle for three years, and also was a varsity hockey player" (The Boston Evening Globe, 11/30/1942). Was also a graduate of Harvard Medical School. Wedding engagement with Miss Leadbetter was announced in October. The charred remains of a victim in another party, Francis Gale, age 29, of Dorchester (Boston), MA, were identified by a scar from an appendectomy recently co-performed by Dr. Bennett. Acceptance notice to the American Medical Society ironically arrived at his home by mail on November 30 (Monday), the same date as his death. Was to enter the U.S. Army on 2/01/1943. Large build (WWII draft registration, October '40: 6' 1," 195 lbs.). May possibly be the unidentified "big man" observed by multiple witnesses blocking escape from the fiery new Broadway Lounge exit shouting, "Edith! Edith!" (not confirmed, but closely matches "200-pound" physical description by witnesses and the first name "Edith" of the sought-after companion agrees). Parents Dr. and Mrs. Hamlin P. and Mary J. (Snow) Bennett, same address. Burial in the family lot at Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Middle name Perley.

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