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Quorn WW1 Roll of Honour - Edward Arthur Benskin
Died 25th September 1916, aged 19
Battle of the Somme, Gueudecourt, France
Life before the war
Arthur Benskin (as he was always known) was the eldest of six children born to Ezra and Charlotte Benskin. He was born in Great Bowden, near Market Harborough, in 1898, but the family moved to Freehold Street in Quorn when he was about 3 years old. By 1911, census returns show that the Benskins were living at Rose Cottages, now 54 Barrow Road.
Arthur must have been a bright lad as he went to Rawlins Grammar School, when most of his friends would have stayed on into the senior class at Quorn National School. After leaving Rawlins he went to work at Wright’s factory in Quorn, making the khaki army equipment he would later wear.
Joining up
Early in December 1915, aged 18 years old, Arthur, like many of his friends, went off to Loughborough and joined the Leicestershire Regiment. His attestation form, which is the form filled in when a soldier joins up, records him as of slight build. He was only 5 feet 3 ˝ inches tall, weighed just 7 ˝ stone and had a 33 inch chest.
Killed in action
Less than a year after enlisting Arthur’s death was reported in the Loughborough Monitor (2nd November 1916):
“Official information has been received that Private Edward Arthur Benskin, of the Leicesters, was killed in action on September 25. He was 19 years of age, and was educated at the Quorn Grammar School. His parents reside in Barrow Road, Quorn.”
A memorial service was held in Quorn Church on Saturday afternoon 28th October 1916, for Private Benskin, together with three other young village casualties, John Peer Flanders, Bertie James Shenton and James Hollingsworth. Arthur was in the same battalion of the Leicesters as John Flanders and they were killed on the same day in the same battle. The service was described in the press as ‘very impressive’ and the vicar, the Rev Henry Rumsey, paid tribute to the men, saying they were well known and highly respected in the village. The local troop of the C.L.B. (Church Lads Brigade) was present, of which Arthur was a member. After singing ‘Fight the Good Fight’, the service ended and buglers from the Mountsorrel Scout Troop sounded the last post. In the evening, a muffled peal was rung on the bells.
Below:
1) Arthur Benskin.
2) A modern photograph of Arthur’s home on Barrow Road. These two semi detached houses are called Rose Cottages, number 54 is on the right.
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Submitted on: |
2020-01-13 |
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Submitted by: |
Sue Templeman with many thanks to Judith Leake |
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Artefact ID: |
2336 |
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Print: |
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