Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Willson, a joiner, born in the April quarter of 1851 in Leicester (son of Estaphins (Epaphras) Willson, 1823 and Mary Ann Ford, 1824) and his wife Mary Ann (Kitty) Willson, (nee Wood, married on the 28th June 1874 in All Saint’s Church, Leicester) born 1854 in Birmingham, Warwickshire (daughter of William Wood). Benjamin was born on the 22nd March 1890 in Leicester and baptised on the 25th September 1892 in the Church of St. Denys, Evington, Leicester, his siblings were, Ernest Charles, born on the 31st August 1876 in Nottingham and baptised on the 1st October 1876 in St. Ann’s Church, Nottingham, Thomas William, born on the 1st October 1881 and baptised on the 25th September 1892 in the Church of St. Denys, Evington, Ruth, born on the 1st March 1885 and baptised on the 25th September 1892 in the Church of St. Denys, Evington, and Hilda, born on the 15th February 1889 and baptised on the 25th September 1892 in the Church of St. Denys, Evington, the latter three siblings were all born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at 66, St. Leonards Road, Knighton, Leicester. In March 1901 Benjamin was residing in the family home at 16, Bartholomew Street, St. Peter’s, Leicester, together with his father, a carpenter and joiner, his mother and siblings, Thomas, a bricklayer’s apprentice, Ruth, a boot trade machinist, Hilda, and Samuel, born on the 29th July 1892 in Evington and baptised on the 25th September 1892 in the Church of St. Denys, Evington. In April 1911 Benjamin was employed as a bricklayer and was residing in the family home at 49, Biddulph Street, Leicester, together with his father, a joiner, his mother and siblings, Hilda, a boot trade machinist and Samuel, a grocer’s assistant. On the 13th April, 1914, Benjamin married Thebais Maggie Weston in St. Peter’s Church, Oadby, Leicestershire, Thebais was born on the 5th February 1888 in Oadby (daughter of Samuel Weston, 1848 and Maria Folwell, 1845). Benjamin and Thebais resided at 32, Cross Street, Oadby. Benjamin and Thebais had a daughter, Edna Edith, born on the 1st January 1916 in Oadby, and the family resided at 8, Cross Street, Oadby.
Benjamin enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 9th October 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 72697. He gave his age as 25 years 9 months. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as bricklayer. He gave his present address as 23, Laurel Road, Leicester.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 22nd March 1916 and recorded his birthplace as Leicester, declared age as 25 years 9 months, trade or occupation as bricklayer, that he was 5-feet 6 inches in height, weighed 126 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35½ inches, his physical development was described as [not recorded], his vision was described as R.E.-V=6/6 L.E.-V=6/6. Enlisted at Leicester on the 9th December 1915. Joined on enlistment No.4 Depot, Royal Garrison Artillery.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 25 years 9 months, height 5-feet 6 inches and chest measurement of between 33 and 35½ inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded].
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Thebais Maggie Willson, 23, Laurel Road, Leicester. Burgess Street, Oadby, Leicestershire.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Attested. At Leicester. 9/12/15.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. Pte. 9/12/15.
Mobilized. 20/3/16.
Posted. To Depot. Royal Garrison Artillery. Gnr. 20/3/16
Posted. 13th Company. Royal Garrison Artillery. Gnr. 20/3/16.
Posted. To 160th Heavy Battery. Royal Garrison Artillery. Gnr. 17/4/16.
Appointed. Acting Bombardier. 14/5/16.
Reverted. To Gunner at own request. 19/5/16.
Offence. At Borden Camp on 13/7/16. Absent without leave from 12 midnight 12/7/16 till 11.00pm 13/7/16. Award. Forfeits 1 days’ pay and deprived of 2 days’ pay.
Posted. To British Expeditionary Force, France. Gnr. 30/7/16.
Embarked. From Southampton. 30/7/16.
Disembarked. At Le Havre. 31/7/16.
Joined. 117th Heavy Battery. Royal Garrison Artillery. Gnr. In the Field. 3/8/16.
Transferred. To Advanced Transport Depot for duty with Road Construction Unit. In the Field. 7/3/17.
Transferred. To Corps of Royal Engineers. Gnr. 10/4/17.
Allotted the Regimental Service number. 313440.
Posted. 308th Road Construction Company, Royal Engineers. Pioneer. 11/4/17.
Allotted the Regimental Service number. WR/21689.
Attached. To 308th Road Construction Company. In the Field. 2/5/17.
Leave to UK. 3/11/17 – 17/11/17.
Appointed. Acting Lance Corporal (Paid). 21/11/17.
Wounded in action. In the Field. 10/8/18.
Admitted. To 58th Casualty Clearing Station, comminuted fractured skull. In the Field. 10/4/18.
Died of wounds. 10/4/18.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 9/12/15 – 29/7/16. 235 days.
British Expeditionary Force, France. 30/7/16 – 10/4/18. 1 year 255 days.
Total Service. 2 years 123 days.
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
On Monday April 10th, 1922, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 7, under the heading. – BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. – IN MEMORIAM. – WILLSON. - In loving memory of L.-Cpl. Ben Wilson, R. E., killed in action, April 10th, 1918, at Lestrem. Greater love hath no man. – His loving Wife and Daughter Edna, of Oadby.
The CWGC headstone inscription chosen by his wife reads. “Some day we may understand. from loving wife and child (Edna) of Oadby.”
[recognitum I-III-MMXXIII]