The AIF Project

Claude Elmhurst BENSON

Regimental number874
Date of birth20 March 1887
Place of birthSydney New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationClerk
AddressCleveland Terrace, Townsville, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation27
Next of kinFather, E E Benson, Ryde, New South Wales
Enlistment date20 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentSergeant
Unit name9th Battalion, H Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/26/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Brisbane, Queensland, on board Transport A5 Omrah on 24 September 1914
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal RollCaptain
Unit from Nominal Roll9th Battalion
Promotions

Lieutenant


Unit: INF9
Promotion date: 28 April 1915

Temporary CAPT


Promotion date: 8 August 1915

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 29251, 5 August 1915; 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133, 28 October 1915.
Recommendation date: 25 April 1915

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette', second Supplement, No. 29890 (2 January 1917); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 103 (29 June 1917).
Recommendation date: 6 October 1916

Distinguished Conduct Medal


London Gazette 6 September 1915

FateKilled in Action 2 July 1916
Date of death2 July 1916
Age at death from cemetery records26
Place of burialRue-Du-Bois Military Cemetery (Plot I, Row B, Grave No. 8), Fleurbaix, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
55
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Edward Ernest and Elizabeth BENSON, Lane Cove Road, Ryde, New South Wales
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For gallant conduct and ability on the 25th April, 1915, at Gaba Tepe (Dardanelles). With great courage and presence of mind, he, on two occasions, rallied and led forward again into the firing line men whose Officers had all been killed or wounded, and who had suffered very heavy losses. His fine example and devotion to duty were conspicuous.'
Source: 'London Gazette' No. 8844
Date: 6 September 1915

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.