South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Private 37227 John (Jack) BENFIELD - 1st/5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry

Killed in action on Wednesday 17th April 1918 aged 19

Military History
     
Theatre of War Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders British War & Victory Medals Loos Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Bravery & Conduct Medals SWFHS Area Memorials
After 1 July 1917 in France  ~ Leamington Spa War Memorial
    Leamington All Saints Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted Leamington Mission Church Memorial 
German Spring Offensive (Battle of the Lys) After 17th April 1917 in Leamington Spa  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
near St. Venant Pte 8/6071 Training Reserve Bn  
     

Circumstances of Death

John is listed as being killed in action on 17th April 1918. The 1st/5th (Pioneers) Battalion war diary entries for the period 16th to 18th April are transcribed below. The war diary does not give any details of casualties throughout April 1918.

HQ at P.3.c.8.0 (W of Saint-Venant)

16 Apr 1918: Work
P.5.a central – 250 yards of trench dug
P.5.c & d – 52 O.R’s wiring
P.11.c & d and P.17.b – Digging and revetting, throwing up earth for parapet
P.11.central – Digging and revetting.

17 Apr 1918: Work
J.34.d – Work on 6 posts with 5 dog-kegs each. Battened and widened the parapet of two others
Between Canal and La Haye. Throwing up earth for parapets. Digging two posts of 6 firebays each.
Near La Haye Revetting and digging posts

18 Apr 1918: Near La Haye Revetting and wiring
J.34.b & J.33.c 60 men digging posts. Work done 720’ x 3’ x3’
14 men wiring under R.E. supervision
P.11 & P.17. Digging, revetting & wiring
 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
1898? in Hook Norton, Oxon 14 Jul 1901 in Ashow, Warwickshire
   
Parents Names Abode
William and Martha Benfield 11 Satchwell Street, Leamington Spa                      
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1898 - Hook Norton, Oxon 1911 - School
1901 - Ashow, Warwickshire  
1911 - Clay Fields, Whitemoore, Kenilworth  
1913 - 9 Ashgrove Place, Leamington Spa  
1918 - 11 Satchwell Street, Leamington Spa   

 

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