In Memory Of

BENSON, GEORGE AGAR TREVOR

Service Details
Age:
 20
Date of Birth:
 1896-10-19
Rank:
 Second Lieutenant
Unit:
 1st Bn.
Regiment:
 Middlesex Regiment
Date of Death:
 1916-10-28
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, near Lesboeufs, Somme. The 1st Bn. Middlesex Regiment were part of 98th Brigade, 33rd Division. In July the battalion were sent by train from Chocques to Longueau arriving on the 9th July then marching to Coisy. On 11th July they moved to Corbie and then on the 13th to Meaulte, moving forward via Becordel-Becourt for attack on 14th July but the operation was cancelled and the regiment were bivouacked just north of Fricourt. They then moved to Bazentin-le-petit on 15th July and commenced attack on Switch Line against heavy machine gun fire from both flanks which brought the attack to a standstill after advancing through the village. They were relieved by 4th Kings Liverpools and sent to bivouacs north east of Mametz wood, having lost over 300 of their men. During August the Regiment continued to do duties around Bazentin-le-Petit, Mametz and High Wood then in early September they took over trenches at Hebuerne sector To Sailly-au-Bois on the 26th September and to Ivergny on the 1st October. Wanquetin on the 23rd and then to trenches in the Lesboeufs sector on 24th October from where an attack on Rainy Wood and Dewdrop trenches resulted in the successful capture of the trenches on the 28th October 1916.
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 Pier and Face 12 D and 13 B.
Cemetery:
 THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Localitly:
 Somme
Country:
 France
Additional Information
Decorations:
 M C
Citations:
 LG Sup 24 June 1916 - "For conspicuous gallantry during a raid on the enemy's trenches. Although wounded before the advance began, he continued to lead with great determination, forced his way through the enemy's wire, and although, again twice wounded, threw bombs into the trench till his supply was exhausted. He was the last to withdraw after all the wounded had been removed to safety. He also on another occasion made a very daring reconnaissance."
Son of the Rev. Arthur Hall Trevor Benson and Emily Maud Benson, formerly of Johannesburg, South Africa, late of Abbots Bromley, Rugeley, Staffordshire. Born Limerick, Ireland in 1897. Blundell's School, "Westlake". Entered the school aged 14 in June 1910 - Christmas 1914. He was a school monitor and a member of the school OTC from 1912 to 1914 attaining the rank of Corporal. He attended camp in 1912 and 1914. A member of the band, he also sang (bass) in the choir. In 1915 he won a prize cadetship to Sandhurst attaining 12th place. He received his commission in May 1915 and was recommended for promotion to Lieutenant on 9th September 1915. On 13th May 1916 his father was informed by telegram that he had been wounded in action with three gunshot wounds in his shoulder, left arm and left leg. He was transferred to the Red Cross Hospital (No.1) at Le Touquet, France. ref. South African Roll of Honour 1914-1918