Christopher Dobree BENSON

[cookie415]

My first posting to this list.
Ancestor Christopher Dobree BENSON served as a private with the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), 23rd Battalion (service no 82).  He enlisted at Sheffield Yorkshire on 14 Nov 1915; resident Westminster at enlistment. Awarded the Victory, Star and British war medals.
His death, 18 Feb 1917, does not appear to have occurred at a significant timeline event during war time. I would appreciate any information/hints/clues for finding more information.
Thank you for listening.

[mmm45]

Hi
You need the Unit War Diary sometimes available to downlaod from Docs Online at Kew...You could try the Great War Forum and ask if anyone has the Diary for a lookup.
Many lads were sniped or killed by shellfire and not in the big frontal attacks associated with the war.
His date of entry to Theatre is Nov 1915 he would have enlisted early in war...He was originally a member of the Public Schools Battalion Royal Fusiliers(PS Prefix but musty have been sent to the 23rd Which was known as the Sportsmans Battalion)...am sure there is a book on their history.

Ady

[forester]

It's "Hard as Nails" by Michael Foley.

Available at all major on-line booksellers (well one at least). 

Phil

[forester]

Just to tidy a few things up for you.

Christopher was born and resident Sheffield. He enlisted in Westminster.

The date of 14/11/15 is the date he landed in France, not the date he enlisted.
The actual medal roll should tell you which battalion he first saw active service with.

The Public School's and the Sportsman's battalions were all in 33rd Division and landed in France at the same time (Nov 1915). However, 23rd Battalion left for 2nd Division at the end of the month.

Although he died of wounds on 18/02/17, a total of 74 men from the 23rd Battalion were killed on the 17th Feb. Several others died of wounds in the following days. I think this is at Miraumont.

The war diary for 23rd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, covering November 1915 to July 1919, is held at Kew in WO 95/1372. It is also available to download from them at the very reasonable price of £3-50.

Phil