I was just looking at service numbers for the 1/6th Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment for amember on here and came across service numbers 6091226 and 6091227, nothing odd in that you say, but then I looked at the surname, they were both Benson....mmmm.....and then the date they both died 21/05/1940. Well the only comfort I feel their mother could have drawn from this is that they didn't die alone, a very sad story I am sure is behind this. Casualty Private BENSON, H E Service Number 6091226 Died 21/05/1940 1/6th Bn. The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) Son of Margaret Benson, of Elephant and Castle, London. INSCRIPTION: "FRATRES" Buried at ESQUELMES WAR CEMETERY Location: Hainaut, Belgium Number of casualties: 202 Cemetery/memorial reference: V. B. 54. See cemetery plan Casualty Lance Corporal BENSON, W Service Number 6091227 Died 21/05/1940 1/6th Bn. The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey) Son of Margaret Benson, of Elephant and Castle. London. INSCRIPTION: "FRATRES" Buried at ESQUELMES WAR CEMETERY Location: Hainaut, Belgium Number of casualties: 202 Cemetery/memorial reference: V. B. 44. See cemetery plan
This is an account taken from the diary of the 1/6th Queens for the 21st May 1940. May 21st 1940 We shall now return to the doings of the 1/6th Queens during the same day. Throughout the morning they were heavily shelled and mortared and there were spasmodic attempts by the enemy to cross the canal, especially on the Battalions left front.. by midday the reserve Company ‘D’ had been fully committed, so the officers and mrn of Battalion H.Q. had to take on the task of driving out intruders. During one of these fights the Battalion Second-in-Command, major J.G. Bevington was severly wounded. Shortly before this the Brigades Commander had arrived at Battalion Headquarters. He told them that the Germans were across the canal on the left in large numbers and that the situation was dangerous. After a short rest he left again for Brigade Headquarters. Soon afterwards contact with Brigade H.Q. was lost and in spite of many attempts was not regained for the rest of the Battle. At 1500hours the left ‘C’ Company reported much activity on their left front and large enemy forces moving through the Scheldekant Chateau woods. Its left forward platoon (No 14) was shortly afterwards attacked from the left and rear. Its Commander Second Lieutenant G.L.M. Woods, was last seen leading a bombing attack at close quarters with the enemy. The Germans then pressed on in the rear of 14 Platoon and encountered ‘C’ Company Headquarters and the reserve platoon. At 1720 hours Coy. Commander (Capt. R.H.Pontifex) spoke to the Commander Officer on the telephone. He reported that a strong attack from the rear was imminent and gave a warning that any further telephone calls should be treated with suspicion. A few minutes later he was killed and his headquarters overrun by greatly superior forces. The whole Battalion front was now continuously engaged and the enemy could be seen working round the left and rear of ‘B’ Company. Kwaadestraat Chateau grounds were badly shelled by guns in the rear, presumably our own, and small parties penetrated the grounds, but were driven out by counter attack members of Battalion Headquarters. The recaptured posts were occupied by ‘C’ Company 1/5th Queens, which had just arrived as a reinforcement. At about 2000 hours the Germans had reached Elsegem and were firing into the flank and rear of Kwaadestraat Chateau grounds. At the same time news arrived that the enemy was also across the Escaut on the right of the 1/6th Queens front, and this appeared to be confirmed by a display of white fairy lights to the north and west of Eeuwhoeh. At 2030 hours, a strong German attack was made from all sides against ‘B’ Company Headquarters and reserve platoon. This attack could be clearly seen from Battalion Headquarters, who vigorously engaged the enemy, killing the German Commander. But the attackers were too strong and the ‘B’ Company posts were overwhelmed after a stubborn fight. At 2100 hours Capt. Voolatt of the Lancashire Fusiliers of the brigade on the right, arrived in a carrier, the only one left of twelve which had been sent off to help the Battalion to the right. He expressed surprise that the positions were still held and confirmed that the Battalions to the right had withdrawn and that the enemy were across the river in that area. Firing was now continuous; several fresh parties of the enemy had again got a foothold in the Chateau grounds and no more reserves were left to deal with them, so at 2215 hours. Lt. Col. Hughs decided to extricate the remainder of the Battalions before the position was completely surrounded. Orders were issued at once and at 2145 hours the withdrawal began in small parties to high ground above Anseghem. It was covered by ‘C’ Company, 1/5th Queens under Maj, R.E.Clarke, who did excellent work, and by Capt. Wollatt in his carrier. Most of the wounded had been evacuated earlier and as many as possible of the later casualties loaded on to the carriers and got away. The 1/6th Queens reassembled outside Vichte about five miles back. They had had very heavy losses of the officers Capt. R.H.Pontifex, Capt. R.N.J. Rutherford had been killed: Maj. R.M Burton and Maj. J.G. Bevington and Capt. PE. Trench wounded; 2nd Lt. G.L.M. Worke was missing, but later reported killed in action; and Capt. K. Lockwood, Capt A.R. Trench, 2nd Lt. W.W. Wagstaff and 2nd Lt. J.E. Pearson were prisoners. (Capt. A.R. Trench shortly after escaped in company with Sergeant A.G. Horwood and rejoined the Battalion in England.) There were over 400 other rank casualties, of whom about 130 were afterwards reported prisoners. But as the divisional diary states, the 1/6th Queens had fought a great battle and held their front with magnificent skill and courage. Lt. Col. Hughes received an immediate D.S.O. as recognition of the Battalions splendid performance and his own leadership.
Kieron, So sad, that poor mother. If you come across pte Sibthorpe at all pls let me know. (Would only be early 1940) Thx
I have looking closer at these two brothers and notice that on the CWGC pages is doesn't mention their father only their mother, I thinking that maybe their father may have been killed in WW1, I tried doing a search but come up with over 200 results for the surname, anyone got any ideas how I can narrow this search down? This is only a gut hunch but considering the divorce rate was very low at the time I am thinking this could be a possibility.
Kieron Sad very sad it has reminded me of a photo I saw some years ago of twins that were killed at Arnhem I beleive and are buried together. I know one of the airborne people will probably let us know who
Kieron, for some reason CWGC does not list their christian names, which made it slightly harder. Name: William Benson Mother's Maiden Surname: Rendell Date of Registration: Jul Aug Sep 1917 Registration district: St Olave Registration county: Greater London Name: Henry E Benson Year of Registration: 1913 Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun Mother's Maiden Name: Rendell District: St Olave Bermondsey (1902-1913) County: London Name: Charles Benson Age: 23 Estimated birth year: abt 1879 Spouse Name: Margaret Rendell Spouse Age: 19 Record Type: Marriage Event Date: 12 Oct 1902 Parish: Saint Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey County: Middlesex Borough: Southwark Father Name: William Albert Benson Spouse Father Name: William Heny Rendell
Kieron Sad very sad it has reminded me of a photo I saw some years ago of twins that were killed at Arnhem I beleive and are buried together. I know one of the airborne people will probably let us know who Privates Tom and Claude Gronert of the 2nd Battalion, both killed on the first day (17th September 1944)
Cheers Englandphil much appreciated I had just finished searching the 229 results on the cwgc . So my gut hunch that their father may have been a casualty of WW1 was just that, a gut hunch. thanks again Englandphil rep given. Cheers Kieron
Cheers Englandphil much appreciated I had just finished searching the 229 results on the cwgc . So my gut hunch that their father may have been a casualty of WW1 was just that, a gut hunch. thanks again Englandphil rep given. Cheers Kieron Kieron, I find a death record for a Charles Benson in 1926, but cant tie it back for sure. also, nothing concrete on the 1911 census.
Kieron, I find a death record for a Charles Benson in 1926, but cant tie it back for sure. also, nothing concrete on the 1911 census. How do you get all this info, is it available on the net? So if this is the brothers father he would have only been 47...the more I think about this sad story the more I want to know...that poor women (their mother).
It's all from geneolagy websites such as Ancestry and Find my past. Have had another look, and it is interesting that prior to there marriage (1901 Census). Margaret Rendall lived at 43 Elim Street, Bermondsey where the Bensons also lived in 2 of the 5 rooms. On the 1891 Census, Charles, is listed as having a amongst a few, younger brother called Frederick, who is not listed as living with the family on the 1901 census, but is listed as living as a boaderer at 141 West Ferry Road, poplar, london. I've now managed to trace the Charles' death to 1906, when he was just 27 years old. Name: Charles Benson Estimated birth year: abt 1879 Year of Registration: 1906 Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar Age at Death: 27 District: St Olave Bermondsey (1902-1913) County: London On the next census, in 1911, which is after Charles' death, Margaret Benson, is listed as living with Frederick at 22 Abbey Street Bermondsey, who she went onto Marry in 1927. Sorry, but cant tell you the reason for Charles' death
Possible that these two men, also from same regiment, were related... Article about a (barely) pre-war death: From The Times, Aug 30, 1939: A verdict of accidental drowning was returned at the inquest at Reading yesterday on the body of George Alfred Ives, 26, of Oakfield Road, Croydon, stationed with the 4th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (T.A.), at Reading, who was drowned in the Thames when his canoe capsized. The Coroner commended Eric George Maskell, of Henley Road, Reading, who dived three times into the river and eventually brought the body to the surface. CWGC entry: Private RONALD GEORGE IVES 6479524, 4th Bn., Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment who died age 31 on 16 March 1944 Son of George F. Ives, and of Rosina Maude Ives, of West Croydon, Surrey. Remembered with honour RANGOON MEMORIAL Grave/Memorial Reference: Face 16. CWGC :: Casualty Details
Dieppe Cemetary Private Ingram, killed during the assault at Puys Sargeant Ingram, BOR Sargeant for the Royals, killed at le Bequet
