Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: Charles Benton

Ancestor's date of birth: 06/04/1880

Ancestor's date of death: Detail not provided

Cause of Death: Detail not provided

Service Number: 2126

Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Sydney

Unit: D Squadron, Third New South Wales Mounted Rifles

Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: On enlistment

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No evidence of post Boer War service.

Murray Page: 133

Contingent: Fifth New South Wales

Ship: Maplemore, Date of Sailing: 15/03/1901

Memorial details: Detail not provided

Awards/Decorations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, SA 1901 and SA 1902 clasps.

Personal Characteristics: Charles was a carpenter prior to his enlistment. According to his son William (my father) Charles was a very strong willed individual who seldom took a backward step.

Reasons to go and fight: Unknown.

Details of service in war: The Regiment was attached to Colonel Remington's column from 2 May 1901 to 28 April 1902. During this time it took part in operations in the Eastern Transvaal and Eastern Orange River Colony. It took part in several drives in early 1902, including the Harrismith drive which resulted in the capture of 251 prisoners. At the conclusion of his deployment Charles was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with three colony and two date clasps.

Service and life after the Boer War: Charles was discharged on 12 July 1902 soon after his regiment returned to Australia on the 'Medis' on 3 June 1902. He resumed his trade as a carpenter, married Jennie Meredith on 6 April 1903 and settled at Phoenix Street, Longueville. The couple had two daughters and two sons. Charles subsequently became a successful builder and it is believed that Benton Avenue in the Sydney suburb of Artarmon was named after him.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Joseph Lawrence Benton, NARRAWALLEE NSW 2539
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson

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