Jul 16, 1865

Born in Woolwich England

Feb 21, 1900

Enlisted in “C” Battery, RCFA (Royal Canadian Field Artillery) Halifax, Nova Scotia 

Ø      Number 9

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. W. Benson, wife, Kingston, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Soldier

o       Civilian occupation given as Stone Mason

Ø      Previous military experience given as “A” Field Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery

Ø      Stated that he had 2 dependent children ages 3 and 5 years

Ø      Religion given as Church of England 

He lied about his age, stating that he was born in 1875

Mar 6, 1900

Promoted to rank of Corporal

Apr 1, 1900

Promoted to rank of Sergeant

Jan 6, 1901

Discharged from military service 

He should have been entitled to the Queen’s South Africa Medal with 4 clasps (Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal and Rhodesia) 

He is noted as being a Deserter, and there is no indication that the medal and clasps that he was entitled to were ever delivered to him.

Mar 1, 1915

Attested into the 21^st Battalion in Kingston, Ontario 

Ø      Number 59057 (temporary number 1255)

Ø      Next of kin given as Annie Benson, wife, 318 High St., Watertown, N.Y., USA

Ø      Previous occupation given as Core Maker

o       Later recorded as Car Maker, Casemaker and Farmer

Ø      Previous military experience given as “A” Battery, RCHA, with 18 months service in South Africa and 18 months in “B” Battery, RCHA

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to the Depot Company 

He again lied about his age, stating that he was born April 12, 1875.  Had he given his actual age, he would have been rejected as being over-age. 

The battalion trained in the Kingston area through the winter of 1914-15

May 6, 1915

Embarked the RMS Metagama in Montreal, Quebec

May 15, 1915

Disembarked in Devonport, England and the battalion proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe, Kent to continue training

Jun 8, 1915

Admitted to the St. Martin’s Plain Tent Hospital with a diagnosis that reads Stricture Orchitis (a urinary infection)

Jun 22, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jul 14, 1915

Transferred to the Transport Section of the battalion

Aug 28, 1915

Rejoined the battalion

Sep 14, 1915

Embarked the St. Seiriol in Folkestone

Sep 15, 1915

Disembarked in Boulogne, France and the battalion proceeded to St. Omer

Dec 30, 1916

Granted 10 days leave

Mar 14, 1917

His actual age was discovered and he was transferred to the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre after being classified “TB” (Temporary Base) meaning that he was temporarily unfit for combat

Apr 15, 1917

Upon being reclassified “C” (unfit for combat duty) because of his age, he was posted to the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) at Seaford.

May 9, 1917

On Command to the CDD (Canadian Discharge Depot) Buxton pending return to Canada for discharge

May 10, 1917

On Command to the CCD (Canadian Convalescent Depot) in Seaford

May 26, 1917

Embarked the SS Justicia in Liverpool

Jun 7, 1917

Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and proceeded to the Discharge Depot in Quebec City, Quebec

Jun 18, 1917

Arrived in Kingston, Ontario from Quebec City

Jul 1, 1917

Discharged from the CEF 

Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him.

Jan 6, 1945

Died in Watertown, New York, USA and buried in the Brookside Cemetery, Watertown N.Y.

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