Robert Hennet

Fencing for the Salle Dupont in Bruxelles (Brussels), Robert Hennet became Belgian champion with the sabre in 1914. He competed in the 1912 and 1920 Olympics with all three weapons. His greatest achievement was the gold medal in the épée team event at the Stockholm Olympics. In 1920 in Antwerpen (Antwerp), he missed another medal placing fourth in the sabre team event.

Hennet earned a doctorate in physics and mathematics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (Brussels) but then pursued a military career. In World War I, he was captain in the 14th Artillery Regiment. Between the wars, he taught mathematics, astronomy, and geodesy at the Royal Military Academy and was eventually promoted to the rank of a colonel. After retiring as a professor, he rose to the rank of major general (reserve).

For his services in the military, Hennet was awarded several distinctions including Commander of the Order of Leopold, Officer of the Order of Leopold II with Swords and the War Cross of Belgium and France etc. Hennet was also a long-time member of the Royal Numismatic Society.