Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Stanton Benskin a Brewer and Maltster, born 1868 in Rearsby, Leics., and his wife Laura Matilda, born 1865 in Seagrave, Leics. John William was born in 1896 in Rearsby, Leics., his siblings were, Albert Edward, born 1897, Ethel Mary, born 1899 and Victor Robert, born 1901, all his siblings were born in Rearsby, Leics., also residing with the family was the paternal grandmother, Mary Benskin a widow, born 1823 in Swithland, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Back Street, Rearsby, Leics., in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Rearsby, St. Michael. In April 1911 John was a Schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Back Street, Rearsby, Leics., together with his parents, paternal grandmother and siblings, Albert, Ethel, Victor and Clarice Daisy, born 1907 in Rearsby, Leics. His younger brother Albert also fell in action. His enlistment documents record that he attested on the 6th December 1915 into the Leicestershire Regiment, and was mobilised for service on the 1st March 1916, he gave his home address as Rearsby, Leicestershire, and his age as 19 years and 10 months, he gave his trade or calling as Maltster and stated that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Edward Stanton Benskin of Rearsby, Leicestershire as his next of kin. Information taken from his medical examination shows him to have been 5 foot 7 inches in height, with a chest measurement of between 34 and 36½ inches. His service record shows that he was mobilised on the 1st March 1916. Posted to the 3rd Battalion at the Depot on the 3rd March 1916. Home Service until the 21st July 1916. He joined the Expeditionary Force in France on the 22nd July 1916. Posted to the 6th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 6th August 1916. The ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldiers family) was completed on the 24th September 1919 by William’s father, and was witnessed by the Minister of Religion George Hassall residing at Rearsby Rectory, on the form he gave father, Edward S. Benskin, mother, Laura Benskin, brother’s, Victor Benskin, age 18 and Tom Benskin, age 4 and sister’s, Ethel Benskin, age 20 and Daisy Benskin, age 13, all residing in Rearsby, Leicestershire. On Friday November 2nd 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – REARSBY. - EX SCOUTMASTER KILLED. – Much sympathy will be extended to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Benskin in the loss they have sustained by the death of their eldest son, Pte. William Benskin, of the Leicestershire Regiment, who was killed in action by a shell on Oct. 6th. Deceased who was 21 years of age, joined the Leicester’s in Nov. 1915, and after a short period of training he was sent out to the front 18 months ago. He completed his education at the Melton Mowbray Grammar School, and subsequently assisted his father in his business as malster and grazier. Pte. Benskin was for three years Scoutmaster for Rearsby and district. He was a very fine shot, and won a prize on the range since being out in France. His brother Albert is serving with the Machine Gun Corps on the Western Front. In the same issue the following further article was published under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. – BENSKIN:- On Oct. 6th killed in action somewhere in France, Private William Benskin, Leicester Regt., the dearly loved eldest son of Edward and Laura Benskin (of Rearsby), aged 21 years. The saints of God , their conflict past. And life’s long battle, won at last; No more they need the shield or sword. They cast them down before their Lord. O, happy saint forever blest. In that dear home, how sweet your rest. In the same issue the following further article was published under the heading. THANKS. – Mr. and Mrs. E. Benskin and family desire to thank all kind friends for letters of sympathy. The War Diary for today records. IN THE FIELD. Quiet day, Reorganised. Rain at times.