Charles Richard Benson (1898 - 1942)

Born 15 Nov 1898 in Bath, Somerset, England, United Kingdom

Died 1 Jul 1942 at age 43 in At Sea

Biography

Charles Benson was a Prisoner of War during World War II.

Charles Benson died as a prisoner of war on the Montevideo Maru during the Second World War.

Charles Richard Benson was born in 1898 in Bath, Somerset, England. Son of Sawrey Brownlow Benson and Nellie Sangster Revington

He married Betty (Henrietta) Stanton in Victoria in 1938.

He enlisted in the Australian Army for overseas service at Caulfield, VIC on 08 Jun 1940 as a Private (VX24155). At the time he was a stockman and farmer, married to Henrietta (Betty) and living with her at Wootong Vale near Coleraine, VIC. He documented that he had served 5 years as a Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army. He lowered his age by 2 years on enlisting. He had fair hair and blue eyes.

On 15 Jul 1940 he was posted to 2/22nd Bn and the next day he was promoted A/Sgt. He was promoted A/ Warrant Officer II on 15 Aug 1940.

He embarked in Melbourne on 10 Apr 1941 for Rabaul, New Britain in the Territory of New Guinea, disembarking there on 26 Apr 1941.

When the Japanese invaded New Britain on 23 Jan 1942 he was captured Massawa and became a Prisoner of War. Japanese records show him with B Coy, 2nd 22nd Bn. He died on board the "Montevideo Maru" when it was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of the Philippines on 01 Jul 1942 en route from Rabaul to Hainan where he was destined for forced labour.

Sources

• Birth - UK GRO BDM Birth index - BENSON, CHARLES RICHARD; REVINGTON; GRO Reference: 1898 D Quarter in BATH Volume 05C Page 499

• Marriage - Victoria BDM Marriage index - Event: marriages; Registration number: 7104 / 1938; Family name: BENSON; Given name(s): Charles Richard; Personal detail Spouse's family name: STANTON; Spouse's given name(s): Betty

• WW2 Australian Army Service File - National Archives of Australia - BENSON CHARLES RICHARD : Service Number - VX24155 : Date of birth - 15 Nov 1900 : Place of birth - BATH ENGLAND : Place of enlistment - CAULFIELD VIC : Next of Kin - BENSON BETTY - http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/AutoSearch.asp?O=I&Number=6226849

• Roll of Honour - Australian War Memorial - https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1684783

• Commonwealth War Graves Commission - https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2615377/charles-richard-benson/

• Virtual War Memorial Australia: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/619814

• The Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial https://www.powmemorialballarat.com.au/prisoners-of-war/benson-charles-richard/

• Probate Notice - Advertising (1945, October 30). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 17. Retrieved December 24, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12150160