Ernest Charles Benn

Ernest Charles Benn - I have identified this person through the census records, he was the only Ernest C Benn in Liverpool and was born in 1888 so he is of the right age.

He was born on the 29th May 1888 to William and Elizabeth Benn. His christening record for 13th March 1889 only shows his first name of Ernest. It shows that his father was a shipwright and they lived on Enid St.

baptism record, image source: Ancestry.co.uk

1891 Census - 35 Enid Street
William Benn, head, married, 38, Shipwright, born Liverpool
Elizabeth, wife, married, 37, no occupation, Launceston Cornwall
William T Benn, son, 15, pawnbroker assistant, Liverpool
Elizabeth S Benn, daughter, 9, Scholar, Liverpool
Harry Benn, son,5, Scholar, Liverpool *
Ernest C Benn, son, 3, no occupation, Liverpool

1891 census Image source: Ancestry.co.uk

1901 Census - 35 Enid Street (transcribed on Ancestry.co.uk as Bernn)
William Benn head, married, 58, carpenter shipwright, Liverpool
Elizabeth Benn, wife, married, 49, no occupation, Liverpool
Elizabeth S Benn, daughter, single, 18, no occupation, Liverpool
Henry Benn, son, 14, no occupation, Liverpool * this is Harry from the 1901 census
Ernest Chas Benn, son, single, 12, no occupation, Liverpool
Mabel Benn, daughter, single, 9, no occupation, Liverpool
Nellie Benn, daughter, single, 7, no occupation, Liverpool

1901 census Image source: Ancestry.co.uk

1911 Census - 36 Tavistock Street
Eliabeth Benn, head, widow, 55, housekeeper, own accont, at home,, Launceton (Plymouth) British (the information about number of children was filled in by mistake. It has been crossed out but still clearly shows that Elizabeth had 7 children, 2 of whom have died.)
Ernest Charles Benn, son, single, 22, Coal dealer, employer, Liverpool, British
Nellie Benn, daughter, single, 17, dress maker, worker, Liverpool

1911 census Image source: Ancestry.co.uk

So, I have him tracked down in civilian life, but his wartime experience seems to be more elusive.

The CWGC has one entry for E.Benn, click her to see this entry in the CWGC database. (opens in new window)


The collection of medal cards has one Ernest C Benn but his number and regiment do not match the CWGC E Benn, also the card does not record his death (although they don't always)

*****UPDATE*****

Again, my progress with this search has been made with the help of various members of RootsChat.com WW1 board.

There was a marine death index for Benn, no first name, died 1918 whilst serving on the Olympic.

I checked the marine BMDs and found that this was Harry Benn, died 20th March 1918 on the Olympic of accidental drowning. His home address was 36 Tavistock Street - so he was the brother of our Ernest C Benn...

or was he?

I was pointed in the direction of a family grave in Toxteth Cemetery which bears the inscription

In loving memory of
our dear mother
Elizabeth BENN,
died 6th Jan. 1927, aged 72 years.
 Also Ernest BENN,
who was lost at sea 20th March 1918,
aged 28 years.
Also Margaret BENN,
died 26th Dec. 1911, aged 28 years.
*Peace, perfect peace.*
In loving memory of
 my dear husband
Harry BENN,
died 18th April 1931, aged 44 years.
*He giveth His beloved sleep.*

**************UPDATE*************
I found the inscription for the gravestone on the excellent database on this site:
http://www.toxtethparkcemeteryinscriptions.co.uk
and then got the further info below from this site:
http://www.toxtethparkcemetery.co.uk

 

Surname	Forename	Age	Rank	Address	Buried
BENN	Margaret	28 years	Wife	42a Parkfield Road	31 December 1911
BENN	Elizabeth	72 years	Widow	34 Dingle Lane Toxteth Park	10 January 1927
BENN	Henry	44 years	Boatsman	36 Tavistock Street Toxteth Park	23 April 1931
HANRAHAN	Margaret Ann	70 years	-	142 Vine Street Liverpool	21 September 1933

***********************************
So, the record on the marine deaths register should be Ernest, not Harry? This would explain why he hasn't got a war grave if he was in the Mercantile Marine accidental drowning wouldn't have qualified even when he was on a troopship.

Checking the records shows that Harry Benn was married in 1910 to Margaret, widowed in 1911 (see the gravestone inscription) then served in the Mercantile Marine and survived the war. He remarried to Catherine Connelly in 1918 at which time his occupation was 'quartermaster' and he signed his name as both Henry and Harry.

I can only assume that the brother's records were mixed up when Ernest died, I have found a Mercantile Marine ID Card for Harry which has a photo of him (below) but I have yet to find one for Ernest.

Harry Benn, taken from his MM ID Card.
source: findmypast.co.uk

Names being added to the Roll of Honour

I have finished sending the names to the Town Hall for the Roll of Honour! There were 36 missing from the roll, I have managed to find proof for 29 of them, and of the other 7 one died in 1919 after his discharge from the Merchant Navy so I will have to get a death certificate to see if he is eligible, 2 weren't born in Liverpool and I don't have proof they lived there, and 4 I just can't find (yet!)

The names being added are:

1. Pte. William E Noll , 13th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
2. Corpl. Robert Isherwood, 1st/7th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
3. Pte. Lamont Grave, 1st/10th Bttn,The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
4. Pte. Edward Burston, 2nd Bttn, South Lancashire Rgt
5. Fitter Herbert W R Jeffes, Royal Garrison Artillery
6. Rifleman Henry Schonewald, 1st/6th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
7. Sgt. John Simpson D.C.M . 1st Bttn, Canadian Infantry
8. Pte. Matthew T Hamilton, 4th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
9. Leading Stoker James Wilding , Royal Navy "HMS INDEFATIGABLE"
10. Corpl. George J Harker , 19th Bttn,  The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
11. Pte. Charles Stenson 8th Bttn, East Lancashire Regiment
12. Rifleman John J Corkish , 5th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
13. Pte. Norman Bracher , 10th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
14. O.S. James Tonkies , Merchant Marine, "SS BURUTU"
15. Pte. James Llewellin , 1st Bttn, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
16. Driver William J Jago , 3rd Bde, Royal Field Artillery
17. Capt. Thomas J Prichard M.C. 1st Bttn, The King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
18. Pte. Frank P Lloyd , 14th Bttn, Welsh Regiment
19. Acting Bombardier, Hugh L Loughlin , Royal Field Artillery
20. Pte. Roderick D Sharpe , 17th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
21. Rifleman Harold H Smith , 2nd/6th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
22. Rifleman Percy H Harwood , 1st/6th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
23. Corporal Herbert Ledger , Royal Army Ordnance Corps
24. Leading Seaman, Matthew Chisam , Royal Naval Reserve
25. Pte. James Irvine , 1st/10th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
26. 2/Lieut Allan Dawson , 22 Coy, Machine Gun Corps (infantry)
27. Pte. Arthur Patrick Beattie , 4th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
28. Pte. Isaac L Hilton , 1st/6th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)
29. Pte. Thomas W Simpson, 18th Bttn, Welsh Regiment

also, this chap because I came across him when researching a similar name and got the info ready before spotting that he wasn't the right one. It turned out that my William H J Elliott is already on the roll.

Pte William Elliott 1st/8th Bttn, The Kings (Liverpool Regiment)

WAR DIARY 3 DIVISION 9 INFANTRY BRIGADE - CONTENTS

WO 95/1429

3 DIVISION, 9 INFANTRY BRIGADE: 10 Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment 1914 Nov. - 1915 Dec./ 13 Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment 1916 Apr. - 1919 Mar./ 1 Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment 1914 Aug.

this is a list of what's in the file, I will add transcripts when I get time or when they are requested - make requests in the comments box or email me thewarmemorial@gmail.com

3^rd division War Diaries 10^th Scottish Battn The King’s Liverpool regt November and December 1914

• November 1914 (Disembarked Havre 3^rd November 1914)  - 4 pages HW
• December 1914 -  3 pages HW

3^rd Division 9^th Infantry Brigade 10^th King’s Liverpool Regiment 1^st January to 31^st December 1915 (to 55 DIV 166 BDE)

• January 1915 -  3 pages HW
• February  1915- 3 pages HW
• March 1915– 2 pages HW
• April 1915– 4 pages HW
• May 1915– 5 pages HW
• June 1915– 6 pages HW
• Letter to Brigadier-General (Sir) J.E.Edmonds dated 1929 regarding casualty figures for a book about the Liverpool Scottish.
• July 1915 – 2 pages
• August 1915 – 2 pages
• September 1915 – 2 pages
• October 1915 – 2 pages
• November 1915 – 2 pages
• December 1915 -  3 pages

13^th Battalion King’s Liverpool Regiment Apl – Dec 1916 (from 8 BDE 3 DIV)

• (Battalion came from 8^th Brigade 4^th April 1916) APRIL 1916 – 1 page HW
• May 1916 – 1 page HW
• June 1916 -1 page HW
• July 1916 – 2 pages HW (note: for reports by O.C. 13/King’s (Liverpool Regiment) on operations of 13/14^th July and 23/24^th July, see War Diary of Headquarters, 9^th Infantry Brigade for July 1916)
• August 1916 – 2 pages HW
• Report on the operations between the 15^th + 20^th August 1916 in which the 13^th King’s (Liverpool) Rgt were engaged – 6 pages HW
• September 1916 - 1 page HW
• October 1916 - 1 page HW
• November 1916 -  4 pages HW
• December 1916 - 4 pages HW

3^rd Division War Diaries 13^th King’s Liverpool Regiment January to 31^st December 1917

• January 1917 -   3 pages typed
• February 1917 - 3 pages typed
• March 1917- 3 pages typed
• April 1917- 4  pages typed
• May 1917- 3 pages typed
• June 1917- 3 pages typed
• July 1917- 7 pages typed
• August 1917- 4  pages typed
• September 1917- 4  pages typed
• October 1917 - 3 pages typed (1^st-10^th illegible)
• November 1917- 3 pages typed
• December 1917- 4 pages typed

3^RD DIVISION 9^TH INFY BDE 13^TH (S) BATTALION KING’S (LIVERPOOL) REGIMENT 1918 JANUARY TO 1919 MAR (to 3 northern bde  div)

• January 1918 - 3 pages typed
• February 1918- 4 pages typed
• File No G12 Minor Operations 16/02/1918 Enemy raid 4 pages typed
• Map of trenches
• March 1918 - 7 pages typed
• April 1918- 5 pages typed
• Situation previous to the operations commencing 10^th April 1918 (1 page HW)
• Account of the part taken by 13thBn the King’s Regiment in the operations from 10^th to 20^th April. – 6 pages HW
• Report on minor operation undertaken by No 10 platoon of ‘C’Coy on afternoon of 11 April 1918 – 3 pages HW
• report of action taken by PEK in the operations from Apl 10^th to Apl 20^th – 2 pages HW
• May 1918 - 4 pages typed
• June 1918- 3 pages typed
• July 1918- 2 pages typed
• August 1918 - 5 pages typed

End of first file

Start of second file

• September 1918- 4 pages typed
• October 1918 – 2 pages typed
• Report on operations 13^th Bn The King’s  8^th Oct 1918 – 3 pages typed
• Report on operations 23^rd October 1918 – 4 pages typed
• November 1918 – 2 pages typed
• December 1918 – 2 pages typed
• February 1919 – 1 page typed
• March 1919 – 2 pages typed

3^rd division war diaries 1^st Battn Lincolnshire Regt August to December 1914

• (disembarked Havre 14/8/14) 1^st Battalion Lincolnshire Regt August 1914 -6 pages HW
• 1^st Lincs 9/3 notes referencing sketch map (?) 4 pages HW (dated 11/2/18?)
• September 1914 (continues until 2.10.14)  - 9 pages HW
• October 1914 – 10 pages HW
• November 1914 - 10 pages HW
• December 1914 – 12 pages HW

3^rd Division 9^th Infantry Brigade 1^st Lincolnshires From 1^st January to 30^th June 1915

• January 1915 – 5 pages HW
• February 1915 – 10 pages HW
• March 1915 – 9 pages HW
• April 1915 – 15 pages HW
• May 1915 – 14 pages HW
• June 1915 -  20 pages HW
• June 1915 summary -1 page HW
• 1^st Bn Lincolnshire Regt Operation Orders by Major H.E.R. Boxer, 3/6/15 – 1 page typed
• map Zillebeke

3^rd Division, 9^th Infantry Brigade, 1^st Lincolnshire from 1 July to October 1915. to 62^nd BDE 13^th November 1915. To 21 DIV 62 BDE

• July 1915 – 9 pages HW
• August 1915 – 16 pages HW
• September 1915 -  6 pages HW

END OF SECOND FILE

START OF THIRD FILE

1^st Battalion Lincolnshire Regt

• September 1915 CONTINUED  - 9 pages HW
• October 1915 – 10 pages HW

END OF THIRD FILE.

5TH DIVISION 15TH INFANTRY BRIGADE WAR DIARY

WO 95/1572 THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

this is a list of what's in the file, I will add transcripts when I get time or when they are requested - make requests in the comments box or email me thewarmemorial@gmail.com

WO 95/1572

5 DIVISION, 15 INFANTRY BRIGADE: 6 Battalion Cheshire Regiment 1914 Aug. - 1916 Feb./ 1 Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment 1914 Aug. - 1915 Dec./ 6 Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment 1915 Feb. - Dec.

5^TH DIVISION 15^TH INFANTRY BRIGADE 6^TH CHESHIRES AUG 1914-FEB 1915

6^th Cheshires 04/08/1914-31/12/1914

• August 1914 (8 PAGES HW LEGIBLE)
• Appendix I – notes on mobilization, organization, eduation, training, equipment &c 2 pages HW
• Appendix II – list of officers 6^th Cheshire Regiment 1p typed
• 6^th Cheshires  January 1915 4pages HW
• App 4 – roll of battle casualties of the 6^th Bn Cheshire Regiment from Nov 10^th 1914 to January 31^st 1915 1P TYPED
• APP 5 6^th Cheshire Regiment record of gallantry or distinguished conduct (LcCpl J Cropper 1554, Pte Boardman 1247, Pte J Bennett 1295)1P TYPED
• 6^th Cheshires February 1915 3P HW
• record of gallantry or distinguished conduct (Pte G Wood 1517, Pte T Mather 1073) 1P TYPED
• Battle casualties Feb 1915 (1 page typed)
• Copy of telegram from GHQ to second army 23^rd Feb 1915

March 1915-Dec 1915

• 6^th Battalion the Cheshire regiment March 1915 Vol IV (St Omer4 p HW few entries)
• 6^th Battalion Cheshire Regiment April 1^st to April 30^th 1915 Vol V (havre, 2P hw few entries)
•  6^th Battalion Cheshire Regiment May 1^st to May 31^st 1915 Vol VI (Havre, 2p no entries)
• 6^th Battalion Cheshire Regiment June 1^st to June 30^th 1915 Vol VII (Havre, 2p one entry)
• 6^th Battalion Cheshire Regiment July 1^st to July 31st 1915 Vol VIII ( 2p few entries about troops arriving and departing)
• 6^th Battalion Cheshire Regiment August 1^st to August 31^st 1915 Vol 9(1p one posting entry)
• 6^th Battalion Cheshire Regiment Sept 1^st to September 30^th 1915 Vol X (1p no entries)
• 6^th Battalion Cheshire Regiment 1^st October to 31^st October 1915 Vol XI (1page lists few postings)
• 6^th Battalion Cheshire Regiment November 1^st to November 30^th 1915 Vol XII (1p no entries)
• letter about logistics of the 1/6^th Cheshire regiment being relieved on the Lines of Communication by the 1/6^th Highlanders.
• Headquarters I.G.C. memorandum 30-12-15

6^th Battalion Cheshire Regiment Aug 1914 to 1916 FEB to 39 div 118 bde

• (joined 20^th brigade from GHQ 9.1.16) diary Jan 1916 (3p)
• (transferred to 39^th division 29.2.16) diary Feb 1916 (5 pages)

5^TH DIVISION 1^ST DORSET REG AUGUST TO DECEMBER 1914

·        August 1914(18 pages detailed HW)

o       Nominal roll of officers typed, HW note

o       Letter t HQ 15^th infantry brigade ref to letter no 10

o       Messages and signals form 8.8.14

o       Letter number 10

·        1^st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment Sept 1914 (16 pages HW)

·        1^st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment October 1914 (20 pages HW)

·        1^st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment November 1914 (13 pages HW)

·        1^st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment December 1914 (8 pages HW)

·        1^st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment January 1915 (6 pages HW)

·        1^st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment February 1915 (6 pages HW)

·        1^st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment March 1915 (12 pages HW)

·        1^st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment April 1915 (9 pages HW)

·        1^st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment May 1915 (7 pages HW)

·        1^st Battalion Dorsetshire Regiment June 1915 (3 pages HW)

·        1^st Dorsets July 1915 (4  pages HW)

·        1^st Dorsets August 1915 (3 pages HW)

o       field return 1.8.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       field return 8.8.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 8.8.1915

o       field return 15.8.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 15.8.1915

o       field return 22.8.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 22.8.1915

o       field return 29.8.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 29.8.1915

·        1^st Dorsets September 1915 (3 pages HW)

o       field return 5.9.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 5.9.1915

o       field return 12.9.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 12.9.1915

o       field return 19.9.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 19.9.1915

o       field return 26.9.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 26.9.1915

·        1^st Dorsets October 1915 (4 pages)

o       field return 1.10.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       field return 8.10.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       field return 15.10.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 15.10.1915

o       field return 22.10.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       field return 29.10.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 29.10.1915

·        1^st Dorsets November 1915 (3 pages)

o       field return 5.11.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 5.11.1915

o       field return 12.10.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 12.10.1915

o       field return 19.11.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 19.11.1915

o       field return 26.11.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 26.11.1915

Left to join 95^th Bde, 32^nd Div. 31.12.15

·        1^st Dorsets Dec 1915 (4 pages)

o       field return 10.12.15

o       men transferred 10.12.15

END OF FILE 1

START OF FILE 2

o       1^st dorsets field return 31.12.15

o       men transferred 31.12.15

o       field return 24.12.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 24.12.1915

o       field return 17.12.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 17.12.1915

o       field return 3.12.1915 numbers and transport 1^st Dorsetshire

o       men transferred or joined 3. 12.1915

5^TH DIVISION 15^TH INFANTRY BDE 1/6 LIVERPOOL FEB TO JUNE

·        (disembarked from UK 25.2.1915) Feb & March 1915(24 pages handwritten, legible)

·        1/6 Liverpool April 1915 ( 7 pages HW legible)

·        1/6 Liverpool May 1915 ( 9 pages HW legible)

o       messages and signals orders 6 pages

o       account of May 5^th 6/8 A,B,C & D coys

o       ap VI A Coy (5^th may) 5 pages HW

o       ap VII  report on 5^th May from R Wainwright, Major o/c B Coy 6^th Liverpool 2 pages HW

o       apVIII C Coy report Capt Brocklehurst 6 pages HW

o       AP IX D COY Bennet Capt

o       Hand drawn map (hill 60)

o       Hand drawn map showing positions etc

·        1/6 Liverpool June 1915 ( 6 pages HW legible)

o       AP I  report on 22/6/1915 G Blackledge 2lt O.C. Grenadiers

o       MESSAGES AND SIGNALS orders 1 page

·        1/6 Liverpools July-Dec 1915 To 165 bde 55 div

·        1/6 Liverpool July 1915 ( 4 pages HW legible)

·        1/6 Liverpool August 1915 ( 5 pages HW legible)

·        1/6 Liverpool September 1915 ( 10 pages HW legible)

·        1/6 Liverpool October 1915 ( 6 pages HW legible)

·        (became 3^rd army troops 17.11.15) 1/6 Liverpool November 1915

o       17 pages HW legible E.V HUGHES 2/Lieut  1-16 Nov

o       5 pages HW legible all of Nov

·        1/6 Liverpool December 1915 ( 1 page entire month HW legible)

Many thanks

I have to say very many thanks go to Sotonmate from the 1914-1918 forum who not only told me that a book existed with rolls of honour for all the Elder Dempster ships lost in the Great War but then went and copied the relevant pages for me. I would not have been able to get this information  myself so quickly. Sotonmate, you are a star!

I have already posted a copy of the roll of honour for the SS Burutu (relevant because it contains J. Tonkies from the memorial) I was also provided with the chapter detailing the SS Burutu's battle with a submarine and then her accidental collision and sinking. I will post transcripts as soon as I get time. (see page list on the left)

I am confident that I will be able to use this information to add James Tonkies to the Roll of Honour at the Town Hall. It is such a shame that he was not eligible for the CWGC. At least now he will be commemorated in his home town, on the same Roll of Honour as his brother.