South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project
The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | 1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals | Arras Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| 23 Aug 1914 in Bologne, France | ~ | Warwick (Eleanor Cross) War Memorial |
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Enlisted | |
| Battle of Arras | 1909/10 at Warwick | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | Other War Memorials |
| Fampoux | ~ | ~ |
Original Enlistment
Joseph, service number 1558, joined the Royal Warwicks at some time between 13 Dec 1909 and 8 Jun 1910 when service numbers 1493 & 1650 were issued
Circumstances of Death
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Joseph is listed as being killed in action on 11 Apr 1917. The 1st Battalion war diary for that day is transcribed below. Dug-outs S of Athies - 11th [April 1917] - 2.30am: Conference at Brigade HQ’s and orders issued that 10th Brigade will attack as 12 noon. Operation order attached [WO 95/1484/4]. 8.30am: Battalion moved off to W of Fampoux and arrived 10.0am 11.20am: Battalion moved to assembly position on Sunken Road on E edge of Fampoux and arrived 12 noon. A&C Coys attack on 2 Coy frontage of 500 yards per Coy and B Coy follow in rear as carriers. 12 noon: Attack commenced and 1st R Irish Fus and 2nd Seaforth Highlanders start going forward. 12.10pm: A & C Coys followed by Coy follow those Battalions, our Battalion supporting 1 R Irish Fus. The enemy shelled our assembly positions heavily and we had many casualties before starting. The enemy’s machine gun fire held up our attack almost from the start and the Brigade consolidated a line about 400 yards in front of the assembly position. Both Brigades on our right and left were held up also by M/Gun fire. Enemy put up a heavy barrage on assembly positions and vicinity. Battalion dug in and held a line from Huddle Trench at H.18.a.0.9 to H.18.b.1.3 with 2nd Seaforth Highlanders on the left and the 1st Irish Fus on right. Enemy fairly quiet at night. Very cold and snow. |
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 7 Jan 1892 at Warwick | 7 Feb 1892 at Warwick St. Mary |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Joseph (died 1905) and Elizabeth (Eliza) Bench | 93 Broad Street, Coventry |
| Wife and Marriage Details | Children |
| Ada Bench nee Essex | Joseph Thomas born 5 Mar 1916 |
| Apr Qtr 1915 at Coventry | |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1892 - 5 Saltisford, Warwick | 1901 - Not found |
| 1901 - Not found | 1911 - Solider in Royal Warwickshire Reg |
| 1911 - Whittington Barracks, Lichfield, Staffs | |
| 1914 - 26 Station Street, Foleshill | |
- Joseph had 4 brothers 3 of whom were killed in war, they were: Ernest William Bench, Charles William Bench and Thomas Bench
- Warwick War Memorial Project Biography