Sapper Charles William Benson

SAPPER CHARLES WILLIAM BENSON

3462A – 4th Reinforcements Tunnelling Companies / 3462 51st Infantry Battalion

Charles William Benson was born in Charters Towers, Queensland in 1892, one of five children of Andrew Peter Benson and Frances Catherine (formerly Beale).

He was an unmarried miner working in Mount Morgan when he volunteered at the Rockhampton Recruiting Office Charles for service abroad on January 6, 1916, passing his medical examination and was sworn in. Four days later Attestation forms were completed which reveal that his height was 169cms (5ft 6½ins), weighed 63.6kgs (140lbs) with a chest measurement of 96cms (37½ins). He had a fresh complexion with blue eyes and brown hair. Religion was given as Church of England. His father Mr Andrew Benson of Cook Street, Charters Towers, Qld was named as next-of-kin.

The twenty-three year old miner departed for Basic Training camp at Enoggera, Brisbane, Qld which commenced at the 11 Depot Battalion until February 11, 1916. Two days later he was sent to the 13th Depot Battalion which concluded on March 6, 1916 and then was transferred to the Miners Corps 1st M.D. that day.

He joined the Miners’ Reinforcements Camp at Seymour, Victoria on May 10, 1916 and remained in training until their departure for service abroad. He was assigned the regimental number 3462A with the 4th Reinforcements Tunnelling Companies in the rank of Sapper.

Sapper Benson was one of the 81 Reinforcements who embarked on the transport RMS Orontes on August 16, 1916 from Melbourne, Vic. The mail ship docked at Adelaide, S.A. and Fremantle, W.A departing on August 23, 1916. The troops were given leave ashore but Sapper Benson failed to return aboard. Seven men were found to have deserted when the ship departed the following day. A radio message transmitted a list of names by the Officer Commanding Troops as the mail ship continued on its fifty-two day mail service voyage arriving at Plymouth, England on October 2, 1916.

In Fremantle, W.A. Sapper Benson was classed as A.W.L (Away without Leave) when apprehended and sent to Training Camp in the district by about August 26, 1916.

He was classed as Private with a new number of 3462 and placed with the 5th Reinforcements to the 51st Battalion, embarking on September 20, 1916 aboard the ship HMAS Uganda docking at Plymouth on November 11, 1916. The troops marched in to the 13th Training Battalion Camp at Codford for their next stage of training on November 17.

The Reinforcements proceeded to France via Folkstone on the ship Princess Victoria on December 28, 1916 and marched in to the 4th Aust Divisional Base Depot, Etaples the following day. Private Benson was taken on strength on January 1, 1917.

On February 4, 1917 he was taken to the 38 Casualty Clearing Station suffering from Mumps and was discharged to duty on February 23 and rejoined his unit on March 4, 1917.

Taken sick to the 5th Aust. Field Ambulance suffering from Debility on April 14, 1917 and transferred to the 86th C.C.S. on April 21. Discharged to duty and rejoined his unit on May 4, 1917.

Sapper Benson had made a Will which was witnessed by two men, a mechanic from Launceston, Tas and a brush-maker from Sydney on June 5, 1917. He bequeathed all his personal estate (Pay, Effect, Money in Bank, Insurance Policy, everything except Real Estate) to Mrs Andrew Peter Benson care of Post Office Friezland, Qld.

Sapper Charles W. Benson was killed in action on June 10, 1917 and was buried on the West Bank of the Yser Canal in the northern outskirts of Ypres, Belgium reported the Director of Graves on November, 21, 1917.

The Medical Officer received advice of his death on June 25, 1917 and official confirmation the following day.

Miss Elsie Ada Benson, as sister of Private Benson, was granted a War Pension of $1 (10/-) per fortnight commencing on August 30, 1917.

His Will had been forwarded to Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.) from Base Records on March 25, 1918.

On April 24, 1918 Miss Elsie A. Benson, address of Post Office Kuridala, Qld wrote to Base Records inquiring if her brother had left a Will and to whom his estate had been left. As she was drawing her late brother’s pay she thought it appropriate she should know. Base Records replied on May 8, 1918 that his Will had been forwarded to the Paymaster in Brisbane on March 25, 1918 and she should communicate with the Officer direct.

It is likely her inquiry began the finalising of his Estate as the Paymaster in Brisbane, Qld requested a copy of his Death Certificate on May 31, 1918. The Deputy Public Curator’s Office in Townsville, Qld also requested a Death Certificate from Base Records on July 9, 1918 which was sent on July 20, 1918.

Advice was received on July 10, 1918 there were no personal effects in his kit to be sent home to relatives.

A Booklet re Graves was issued to his family on April 26, 1919.

His British War Medal was forwarded to the Commandant of 1st Military District, Brisbane, Qld on March 11, 1921. Four days later the booklet ‘Where the Australians Rest’ was sent. The Memorial Scroll (325638) was despatched to his Father on July 15, 1921 which was receipted by him on July 30.

After the war, Memorial Crosses were placed in Memorial Plot, Row B, at the Messines Ridge British Cemetery, six miles south of Ypres, for Private Benson and with three other soldiers who were killed on the same day. His father, A.P. Benson now living at Crib Point, Vic received advice on August 10, 1922 of the location of his son’s grave and that a cross had been erected with full regimental description with the date of his death recorded.

A fortnight later the Memorial Plaque (325638) was mailed to his father.

On March 23, 1923 the Victory Medal was posted to his Father and was receipted by his sister on April 20, 1923.

Three photos of his grave were received by Elsie Benson on July 27, 1923.

For his service Sapper 3264A / Private 3264 Charles William Benson, Reinforcements Tunnelling Companies / 51st Battalion was awarded the British War Medal (45563) and the Victory Medal (45011) for his supreme sacrifice.

His name is memorialised on The Ypres Menin Gate Memorial in Belgium.

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