Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Ezra Benskin a house painter and decorator, born in the April quarter of 1872 in Loughborough, Leicestershire (son of John Benskin, 1831-1892 and Hannah Gill, 1832-1894) and his wife Charlotte Benskin (nee Carter, married on the 3rd August 1896 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Great Bowden, Leicestershire), born in the October quarter of 1871 in Great Bowden and baptised on the 4th August 1872 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Great Bowden, (daughter of George Carter, 1840 and Mary Ann Weston, 1839). Edward Arthur was born in in the July quarter of 1897 in Great Bowden and baptised on the 21st July 1897 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, he had one sibling, a sister Margaret Elizabeth, born on the 3rd February 1900 in Great Bowden and baptised on the 25th February 1900 in the Church of SS. Peter & Paul, Great Bowden, in March 1901 the family home was at Freehold Street, Quorn, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Edward was a schoolboy and newsboy and was residing in the family home at Barrow Road, Quorn, together with his parents and siblings, Margaret, John George, born in the April quarter of 1902 and baptised on the 4th May 1902 in the Church of St. Bartholomew, Quorn, Harold Ezra, born on the 21st July 1904, Gladys Mary, born in the April quarter of 1906 and baptised on the 10th June 1906 in the Church of St. Bartholomew, Quorn and Ethel Maud, born on the 5th September 1908 and baptised on the 5th October 1908 in the Church of St. Bartholomew, Quorn, the latter four siblings were all born in Quorn.
Edward enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 8th December 1915 in Loughborough, and was allotted the regimental service number 27076. He gave his place of birth as Great Bowden, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 185 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as khaki web equipment. He gave his present address as Barrow Road, Quorn
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 4th April 1916 and recorded his apparent age as 18 years 303 days, that he was 5-feet 3½ inches in height, weighed 106 lbs and had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 36 inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, small mole, top of right arm, 2 small scars right shoulder blade. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his father, Ezra Benskin, Barrow Road, Quorn.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Attested. 8/12/15.
To Army Reserve. 8/12/15.
Mobilised. 4/4/16.
Posted. To 12th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 4/4/16.
Embarked. From Folkestone. 20/7/16.
Disembarked. 20/7/16.
Arrived. At 12th Infantry Brigade Depot, Etaples. 21/7/16.
Posted. To 8th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 2/8/16.
Killed in action. In the Field. 25/9/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 8/12/15 – 18/7/16. 224 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 19/7/16 – 25/9/16. 69 days.
Total Service. 293 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.
The War Diary records: 24-30 Sep-16 - East of TRONES WOOD. About 7.00pm on the 24th the Battalion marched up to take a position prior to making an attack the next day. Before they reached the position the enemy heavily shelled our men, several casualties resulting. At 12.30pm on the 25th the first attack was launched, the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT being in a position on the right of FLERS. The objective was the first German line, a distance of about 1000 yards from the trench from which the Battalion launched the attack. The attack was made in waves, each platoon forming a wave, and 2 waves going over at a time. The attack was launched with splendid heroism, the first objective was gained in about ¾ of an hour, the men then stopped a short time to consolidate their gain, and to allow the artillery barrage to lift. They then pressed on to their second objective which was the village of GUEDECOURT. By the time they reached the village their ranks were sadly thinner, by the tremendous artillery barrage the enemy put up, and by machine guns which wrought terrible havoc. Never the less with dauntless gallantry they pressed on reaching the village and engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand fighting, which took place all the night. In the morning the 7th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT relieved the 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT in the village, and the enemy were finally driven out. The 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT were brought back to the second line of trenches, where they were relieved by the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT on the 28th. They then went back to SWISS TRENCH where they remained until relieved on the night of October 1st.