Operation Amiens - 19/94 (20.2%)

Benson, 2CPL Bengt

Bengt Benson (1884-1957), gardener and soldier, was born in Kellstrorp, Sweden, son of Martin Benson. As a young adult, Benson served for 6 months in the Swedish Army. He then moved to England and on the 21st of February 1911, at the age of 27, Benson arrived in Fremantle, Australia. Over the next 2 years, Benson lived in many suburbs of the Perth region including Belmont, York, Maylands and Queens Park. In 1913, after just 2 years in Australia, Benson became a citizen of this country and soon after he moved to Cannington and began working as a gardener.

Bengt Benson enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force on the 15th of February 1916 at the age of 31 and was posted to the 1st Reinforcements, 44th Battalion. He embarked for overseas service in June 1916 and arrived at the front lines in November 1916. Private Benson was shot in the left arm in June 1916 during the Battle of Messines, but he recovered after a few months in hospital and returned to the front lines. Private Benson was wounded again on the 4th of July 1918 fighting alongside the Americans during the Battle of Hamel, he received a shrapnel wound to the face but recovered once again.

After the end of the war, Private Benson transferred to the Army Provost Corps and served in the post war army for another year, helping with the logistics of ending a war. He was promoted to the rare rank of Second Corporal.

During the war, Second Corporal Benson fought in 8 battles and spent an astounding 489 days in the trenches. He was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal, 2 Wound Stripes, Active Service Badge, 3 Good Conduct Stripes and 3 Long Service Stripes.

After the war, Benson continued to work as a gardener. He married Mary Thomson in 1934 at the age of 50 and together they lived in Perth, Leederville and North Perth. Bengt Benson passed away on the 4th of February 1957 at the age of 73 and was buried in the Anglican portion of Karrakatta cemetery. His wife, Hannah died 23 years later and was buried with him.

Notes

Collided with a motorcycle driven by Mr. O’Shea in 1937.

Had a gallon of petrol stolen by a child in 1941. (Living in Perth at this time)

Living in Leederville in 1949 & 1954. Living in North Perth in 1957.

Sources

The Westralian Battalion

National Archives of Australia

AIF Project

The West Australian, 25/05/1938, P. 16 & 22/04/1941, P. 3

Record worked on by: Luca Muir Anderson.

Record completed by: Luca Muir Anderson.

Regimental Number:
1622

Subunit:
1st Reinforcements, 44th Battalion

Enlistment Date:
15th of February 1916

Age at Enlistment:
31 Years, 11 Months

Birthplace:
Kellstrorp, Sweden

Ethnicity:
Swedish Australian

Religion:
Church of England

Residence:
Gosnells, Metropolitan Region, WA (Fremantle Road)

Height and Measurements:
5"8

Occupation at Enlistment:
Gardener

Married:
No

Next of Kin:
Father - Martin Benson (Vallby, Sweden)

Previous Service:
6 months in a Swedish Infantry unit

Total Service:
15th of February 1916 - 26th of December 1919

Overseas Service:
6th of June 1916 - 3rd of November 1919

Front Line Service:
25th of November 1916 - 1st of January 1917, 23rd of January 1917 - 8th of June 1917, 23rd of October 1917 - 4th of July 1918, 10th of September 1918 - 11th of November 1918 (489 Days)

Battle Honours:
8: Messines 1917, Somme 1918, Ancre 1918, Hamel, Mont St. Quentin, Hindenburg Line, St. Quentin Canal, France and Flanders 1916-1918

Casualty:

Yes – Wounded in Action twice and Sick. Wounded in Action – (8th of June 1917, slight gunshot wound to the left arm during the Battle of Messines, 4 1/2 months in hospital) & (4th of July 1918, shrapnel wound to the face during the Battle of Hamel, 2 months in hospital). Sick – (January 1917, 3 weeks in hospital with Mumps)

Awards:
British War Medal, Victory Medal, 2 Wound Stripes, Active Service Badge, 3 Good Conduct Stripes and 3 Long Service Stripes