Benson, Francis William

BORN HULL 1893. SON OF ARTHUR BENSON & ADA HALL – 8 CROWN PLACE, WASSAND STREET, HULL. HE MARRIED IN HULL, IN 1912. HIS WIFE ELSIE BARKER & YOUNG SON ALSO CALLED FRANCIS WILLIAM BENSON, LIVED AT 10 ALMA TERRACE, ETON STREET, HULL. HE WAS EMPLOYED AS A ‘TROLLEY MAN’ AND WORKED FOR MANY YEARS FOR MR SAM BATTY, FRUIT MERCHANTS, HESLLE ROAD, HULL.

HE ENLISTED HULL 06/09/1914. SERVED WITH THE 4TH EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT. HIS ARMY RECORDS DESCRIBE HIM AS 5 FOOT 6 INCHES TALL, 35 INCH CHEST, 133 LBS, BLUE EYES AND DARK BROWN HAIR. HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON 27/05/1918, AGED 25. HIS DEATH WAS REPORTED IN THE HDM ON 06/08/1919. *

1/4^th East Yorkshire Battalion War Diary – 27^th May 1918

When the storm of gas and High Explosive shells broke over the 50^th Division, at 1am, on 27 May 1918, the 1/4^th East Yorkshire Regiment of the 150^th Brigade (the left Battalion, of the left Brigade of the Division) were disposed as follows: “A” Company held the front line,  “B” Company was in close support in Trench Falais (in CRONNE, at the disposal of the 5^th Green Howards (on the right of the 1/4^th EYR), “D” Company was in support in Marais. For two and half hours the Tornado swept the whole divisional area, causing many casualties and practically destroying the Trenches. The 1/4^th EYR was completely disorganised and rear guard actions were fought back to the River Aisne and the Bridge at Maizy, “the number which succeeded in crossing being very small.” Total strength of the 1/4^th EYR was 4 Officers and 105 Other Ranks, out of 30 Officers and 642 Other Ranks, which began, before the attack. The Battle continued until 6^th June 1918, but the 1/4^th  EYR took no further part after the 27^th May and retired to Vert La Gravelle.