The AIF Project

William BENSON

Regimental number2920
Place of birthSydney New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationCarpenter
Address'Marathon', North Street, Leichhardt, Sydney, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinMother, Mrs Annie Benson, 'Marathon', North Street, Leichhardt, Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date24 February 1915
Rank on enlistmentLance Corporal
Unit name5th Field Ambulance, C Section
AWM Embarkation Roll number26/48/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A31 Ajana on 31 May 1915
From Embarkation Records it is not possible to distinguish exactly which ship members of this unit sailed on. Two ships left from Sydney: the 'Ajana' on 31 May 1915 carrying three officers and 98 men and the 'Ceramic' on 25 June 1915 carrying three officers and 129 men.
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll5th Field Ambulance
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


'Work at Westhoek Ridge on 4 October 1917.'
Recommendation date: 14 October 1917

FateReturned to Australia 13 April 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On the morning of the 4th October, 1917, before 7 a.m. when a heavy barrage fire was laid down in front of WESTHOEK RIDGE, BENSON went forward into the barrage to attend to the wounded, without waiting for a slackening or lifting of fire. In addition to dressing numerous cases in the open and disposing them in shell holes, pending an opportunity to carry back to the aid post, several severe cases, including a man with a shattered thigh, were splintered with extemporised material, and carried back by him to the aid post in order that the shock incident to the wounded might be immediately combated by the Medical Officer.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

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