Main CPGW Record
Surname: BENSON
Forename(s): Ronald William
Place of Birth: Cowling, Yorkshire
Service No: 16532
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Scots Guards
Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion
Division: Guards Division
Age: 19
Date of Death: 1918-08-24
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 3.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: COWLING, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: SILSDEN, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Ronald William Benson was the son of Alfred and Ada Benson, née Driver. Both parents were born at Cowling, Yorkshire.
1901 Cowling, Yorkshire Census: Scar View - Ronald W. Benson, aged 2 years, born Cowling, son of Alfred and Ada Benson.
1911 Silsden, Yorkshire Census: 56, Prospect Terrace - Ronald Wm Benson, aged 12 years, born Cowling, Yorkshire, son of Alfred and Ada Benson.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Ronald W. Benson, 16532, S. Gds.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Ronald W. Benson, 16532, 1 [sic] S.G.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Ronald William Benson, 16532, 2nd Bn Scots Guards. Date and Place of Death: 24.8.18. K. in A. France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Mother and Sole Legatee - Ada. £12 6s. 3d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Ronald. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mr Alfred Benson. Relationship: Father. Address: 56, Skipton Road, Silsden.
Ronald is commemorated in the Rolls of Honour at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh.
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
BENSON, Ronald William, aged 20, Scots Guards, 56, Skipton Road, [Silsden], killed in action Aug. 24, 1918.
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Private Ronald William BENSON
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Scots Guards
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: Guards Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
St James's Churchyard, Silsden
Family gravestone
St James's Churchyard, Silsden
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
02 November 1917
SILSDEN - Pte. Ronald Benson Gassed
Pte. Ronald Benson, Scots Guards, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Benson, 56, Skipton Road, Silsden, has been admitted to a rest camp in France suffering from gas poisoning received during the recent heavy fighting in France. In a letter to his parents he states that he was almost blind for two or three days, but was getting his sight back again. He also added that his voice had been affected. Pte. Benson is 19 years of age, enlisted in February last, and went out to France in August. Prior to enlisting he was employed at the firm of Messrs. Hill Bros., Benson and Bailey, Ltd.
13 September 1918
Private Ronald Benson, Silsden
Private Ronald Benson, Scots Guards, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Benson, of 50 Skipton Road, Silsden, was, we are sorry to say, killed in action on August 24th. Private Benson, who was 20 years of age, enlisted on February 13th 1917, and went out to France on August 13th of the same year. He was gassed on October 13th 1917, and wounded on May 19th, 1918. He was educated at the Keighley Trade and Grammar School and the Ashville College, Harrogate. He was also a member of the Wesleyan Chapel Choir and of the Wesley Guild.
The chaplain of the regiment, in a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Benson, states:-- "Your son was a gallant soldier and had won the esteem of his officers and the goodwill of his comrades. The battalion mourns his loss, and we all extend to you our heartfelt sympathy in your great bereavement. The commanding officer desires me to send you his sympathy."
A pal of the deceased soldier, Private Fred Brassington (Settle), also writes:- "I am writing for several boys, who knew Ronald, to express to you our very heartfelt and sincere sympathy in your very sad trouble. I know Ronald better than most of them, and also knowing you I am more than sorry to have to write to you this sad news. Although I did not see Ronald, a boy named Chambers, who is in B Platoon, showed me where he was killed. The last time I saw Ronald was on Friday evening. He came to draw some stores, and we had a short talk together. He was quite cheery as usual. The next morning about 8 o'clock the battalion was attacked, and in this attack poor Ronald was killed by a machine gun bullet. I believe he did not suffer any pain, and a rifle and bayonet were put up to mark the spot. Ronald was carried behind he lines when it was dark."
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
02 November 1917
SILSDEN SOLDIER GASSED
Pte. Ronald Benson, of the Scots Guards, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Benson. 56, Skipton Road, Silsden, has been admitted to a rest camp in France suffering from gas poisoning received during the recent heavy fighting. In a letter to his parents, Pte. Benson states that he was almost blind for two or three days, but was getting his sight back again. He also adds that his voice had also been affected Pte. Benson, who is 19 years of age, enlisted in February last, and went out to France in August. He was formerly employed by Messrs. Hill, Benson and Bailey.
13 September 1918
BENSON - Killed in action Aug. 24th, Pte. Ronald Benson, of the Scots Guards, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Benson, 56, Skipton Road, Silsden, aged 20.
13 September 1918
LOCAL HEROES OF THE WAR
Pte. R. Benson Killed
We regret to announce the death in action on Aug. 24th of Pte. Ronald Benson, of the Scots Guards. only son of Mr. and Mrs. Alf. Benson, of 56, Skipton Road, Silsden. Pte. Benson, who was 20 years of age, enlisted on Feb. 13th, 1917, and went out to France Aug. 13th of the same year. He was gassed on May 19th, 1918. He was educated at the Keighley Trade and Grammar School and at the Ashville College, Harrogate. He was also a member of the Wesleyan Chapel choir, and of the Wesleyan Guild.
The chaplain of the regiment, in a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Benson, states:- "It is with deep regret that I write you regarding your son, Pte. R. Benson. He was killed in action on Saturday, Aug. 24th, and was laid to rest by our men near St. Léger. He was a gallant soldier and had won the esteem of his officers and the good will of his comrades. The battalion mourns his loss, and we all extend to you our heartfelt sympathy in your great bereavement. The commanding officer desires me to send you his sympathy."
A pal of the deceased soldier, Pte. Fred Brassington, of Settle, also writes:- "I am writing for several boys who knew Ronald, to express to you our very heartfelt and sincere sympathy in your very sad trouble. I knew Ronald better than most of them, and also knowing you I am more than sorry to have to write you this bad news. I thought you would like a few particulars, and although I did not see Ronald, a boy named Chambers, who is in 'B' platoon, showed me where he was killed. The last time I saw Ronald was on Friday evening. He came to draw some stores, and we had a short talk together. He was quite cheery as usual. The next morning about eight o'clock the battalion was attacked, and in this attack poor Ronald was killed by a machine gun bullet. I believe he did not suffer any pain, and a rifle and bayonet were put up to mark the spot. The boy Chambers afterwards took some papers and his wallet from his pocket, and is going to let you have them at the first opportunity. Ronald was carried behind the lines when it was dark. I am very sorry for you all, and I know what Ronald has had to sacrifice. I should be only too pleased to let you know anything that I possibly can if you will let me know. With all our deepest sympathy and sorrow in your sad bereavement."
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