South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of Warwickshire - World War One


Private 3123 Fergus John BENSON - 1st/7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Killed in Action on 27th November 1916 aged 20


Military History

     
Theatre of War in Which Died WW1 Campaign Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France & Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Warlencourt British Cemetery
     
First Arrived in a War Theatre Bravery & Conduct Medals Warwickshire War Memorials
25 Jun 1915 in France ~ Monks Kirby Church Plaque
    Monks Kirby & Stretton War Memorial
Action, Battle or Other Reason Died Date and Place Enlisted  
Battle of the Somme Dec 1914 in Coventry  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials 
L'Abbaye d'Eaucourt ~ Wolverhampton War Memorial
     
  • Please note: Fergus is listed by the War Graves Commission website as being with 2nd/7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, however the 2/7th
    war diary entry for the day of his death, 27th November 1916, shows that the 2/7th moved into billets at Hedauville and no casualties are recorded.
  • A look at the War Graves Commissions Grave Concentration report clearly shows he was a member of 1st/7th Battalion
  • One of Fergus' military records gives his unit at just 7th Battalion. A search of the 1st/7th Battalion war diary casualty records revealed that Fergus was a member
    of C Coy, 1st/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment and that he was killed in action on 27/11/1916 and was buried at Eaucourt L'Arbaye very close to Warlancourt.

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Circumstances of Death

Given the above the 1st/7th Battalion war entries for the period 26th to the 28th November are transcribed below.

Bazentin – Trenches – 26 Nov 1916: Rainy day. 2/Lt Helson killed & 2/Lt Jones and 4 men wounded.Capt. Wrigley sick.

Bazentin – Trenches – 27 Nov 1916: Battalion relieved by 1/8 R War R & proceeded into support. 2 killed, 5 wounded. Capt. Hodges joined.

7 Elms – 28 Nov 1916: Wintry day. Worked on trenches. Men very weak, trench foot prevalent.


 
 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
21 Feb 1886 at 9 All Saints Lane, Coventry 23 Dec 1896 at Coventry All Saints 
   
Parents Names Abode
William Henry and Sarah Ann Mary Benson 13 Charles Street, Wolverhampton 
   
Step Mother  
Amy Benson (widow) formerly Tatlan nee Cosgrave ~
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1896 - 9 All Saints Lane, Coventry 1901 - School age 
1901 - 23 All Saints Lane, Coventry  1911 - Postman
1911 - 108 Gosford Street, Coventry 1914 - Postman 
1914 - Coventry   
   
  • The War Graves Commission notes that Fergus was a native of Stretton-under-Fosse, Rugby.
  • Fergus's mother, Sarah Ann Mary Benson nee Bird died in the Jul-Sep Qtr 1898 in Coventry when Fergus was 2 years old
  • Fergus's father William Henry married Amy Tatlan (widow) nee Cosgrave on 3 Aug 1901 and they were living at 108 Gosford Street, Coventry
  • In the 1911 Census William and Amy were living at Stretton under Fosse Wharf.
  • Fergus had two step-sisters, Gladys and Phyllis who in 1911 were living at Stretton under Fosse Wharf
  • In the 1911 census Fergus was living with his Grandparents, William and Ann Congrave - parents of Amy, and two siblings, William & Ellen