The Feature Page
of
 George Albert Benjamin


George Benjamin is on the right
17th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers (Bantam Bn) 1915
and
RASC
Robert Armstead service number 201714, is the soldier on the left in photo and was the witness at George and Annie Kay wedding both Robert and Annie were also from Bury

Dear Geoff,

I have visited the www.lancs-fusiliers.co.uk website whilst researching
about my Grandfather and have found the site very interesting and
useful, thank you.

My Grandfather was George Albert Benjamin b.1888 was from Deptford in
South East London and when he signed up on 2nd January 1915 he was put
in to the 17th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusilier a Bantam Battalion Service number
14791, as he was only 5 feet tall. Whilst based in Bury he met and then
married my Grandmother Annie Kay b.1896 who born and bred in Bury.
Within 6 months they fell in love and married at the Bury Register
office in July 1915.

I have one photo only of my Grandfather and this was taken in his Army
Uniform together with another Lancs Fusilier solider who I suspect is a
man called Robert Armstead service number 201714, also from Bury, who
was a witness at my Grandparents marriage. Both men were in company WO
329. Their uniforms look very clean and new so likely taken before they
saw active service.

Mr grandfather was first in the 17th Fusiliers his record of service shows that on 27th October 1916 he was on charges and tried in the field by field General Court Martial for shooting another solider, a Pte Longstaff in the foot. Grandad was sentenced to 28 days without pay. After which on 28th January 1917 he was then transferred to the ASC (RASC) service number 306257 as a Driver of horses.
I have since read that many men desperate to get away from the front line and the terrible conditions asked their comrades to injure them deliberately so they would be sent back to a field hospital.

My grandfather joined the Fusiliers at Bury on 4 January 1915 so I am
excited to think that he was in the Inaugural Parade photo on your website.

I am glad to say my Grandfather survived the war and returned to my
grandmother Annie, in total they had 7 children and moved back to
Lewisham in London in 1921, but sadly he died young age of 40 in 1926 so
I never knew him. My family always wondered why he was in the Lancs
Fusiliers and now we know the answer.

Alfreds Medal Card
Description:
Medal card of Benjamin, George A
Lancashire Fusiliers 14719 Private
Royal Army Service Corps T/306257 Private
Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, Kew





He could be on this photo

Also below is his entry on the Forces War Records Web Site.

First Name:
George A
Surname:
Benjamin
Regiments served with:
Unit Rank Service Number
Lancashire Fusiliers Private 14719
Royal Army Service Corps Private T/306257
Archive Reference:
WO 372/2/96242
(Can be found at The National Archives in Kew, and contains First World War, War Office: Service Medal and Award Rolls Index)
Lancashire Fusiliers during World War 1
Since 1815 the balance of power in Europe had been maintained by a series of treaties. In 1888 Wilhelm II was crowned ‘German Emperor and King of Prussia’ and... read more here >>
Collection:
Nominal index of all service personnel serving in a theatre of war 1914-1919

Campaign Medals:
Victory Medal


With the information in George A Benjamin's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the Victory medal, also called the Inter Allied Victory Medal. This medal was awarded to all who received the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star and, with certain exceptions, to those who received the British War Medal. It was never awarded alone. These three medals were sometimes irreverently referred to as Pip, Squeak and Wilfred.

Eligibility for this award consisted of having been mobilised, fighting, having served in any of the theatres of operations, or at sea, between midnight 4th/5th August, 1914, and midnight, 11th/12th November, 1918. Women who served in any of the various military organisations in a theatre of operations were also eligible.
Purchase This Medal
British War Medal

With the information in George A Benjamin's record, it is likely that they were entitled to the British War Medal for service in World War One. This British Empire campaign medal was issued for services between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918.

The medal was automatically awarded in the event of death on active service before the completion of this period.
Medals

Benjmains Medal Card
Description:
Medal card of Benjamin, George A
Lancashire Fusiliers 14719 Private
Royal Army Service Corps T/306257 Private
Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, Kew


George Albert had two brothers who also signed up to fight.
Francis William b. 1896 who was a Pte in the Durham Light Infantry #7627, he survived the war but died in 1932 age 36. Frederick Richard b. 1894 a Pte in the Royal Scots Fusiliers # 34795, sadly he killed on 23.4.1917 and is buried at Arras, Departement du Pas-de-Calais, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France.
Their parents (My Great Grandparents) Mary Ann and Frederick John Benjamin had 10 children and they must have been so worried having three of their eldest boys all at war. Knowing the fatality rate of this war they were lucky to get two sons back home. Such was the great sacrifice of the nation.

" Information supplied by Lorna Harvey grandaughter of George Albert Benjamin" researched by Geoff Pycroft