In Memory Of

BENSON, HUGH

Service Details
Age:
 61
Date of Birth:
 1882-07-29
Service No:
 1864
Rank:
 Corporal
Unit:
 1st Bn.
Regiment:
 Royal Durban Light Infantry, S.A. Forces
Date of Death:
 1944-07-12
Cause of Death:
 Died of lung inflammation, at Stalag 4B, whilst a POW
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 10. K. 3.
Cemetery:
 BERLIN 1939-1945 WAR CEMETERY
Localitly:
 Berlin, Berlin
Country:
 Germany
Additional Information
Decorations:
 Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Mentioned in Despatches
Citations:
 OBE LG Sup 3 June 1919 pg. 6796, MID LG Sup 23 December 1918 pg. 15030
Son of William Cole Benson and Marion Eliza (nee Johnson) Benson; husband of Mary H. Benson, of Edinburgh. Born Farningham, Kent, England. Educated St Paul's Primary School, Kent. Served as a Farrier Sergeant (# 555) with the Natal Carbineers & later with Lovat's Scouts in the ABW 1899 - 1902; present during the Siege of Ladysmith 1899-1900; served with the Natal Police in the Bambatha Rebellion 1906; served with the Natal Carbineers in GSWA 1914-1915 and later as a Captain in Royal Horse Artillery in WWI. Turned down for active service in WW2 because of his age he persisted and got through with 1st RDLI. (Stated date of birth at attestation 29 July 1895). Taken prisoner at Tobruk. The German guards gave him a 12-gun salute at his funeral. Commemorated on the Royal Durban Light Infantry & the MOTH Garden of Remembrance, Underberg, KZN WWII Memorials