Also in 1900, the Olympic year, he won the British title in the mile at the 1900 AAA Championships,[8] qualifying himself for the 1500 m in Paris.

[3] That distance had a rather weak field, and Bennett lead throughout the race, defeating local favourite Henri Deloge in 4:06.0.

His Olympic achievements were largely forgotten for more than 100 years until his grandson Chris Bennett found his abandoned and overgrown grave in the corner of St Andrew's Churchyard in Kinson.

In December 2011 Bennett was commemorated after Anthony Ives Memorials of Bournemouth donated a proper headstone to recognise his feat.

The plinth, unveiled on the eve of the year of the 2012 London Olympics, reads: "In loving memory of Charles Bennett 1870-1948.