Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Outram Thrall, a stone mason, born 1864 in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire and his wife Eliza Smith Thrall (nee Harris, married in the 4th quarter of 1885 in the Leicester district), born 1863 in Leicester, Benjamin Smith was born in the 1st quarter of 1888 in Leicester, his siblings were, Beatrice Alice, a schoolgirl, born 1886 and Harry George, born 1890, both his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was at Frank Street, Leicester. In March 1901 Benjamin was employed as an errand boy and was residing in the family home at 1, Fleetwood Road, Leicester together with his father, a stone mason, his mother and siblings, Beatrice, a hosiery trade winder, Kathleen, born 1893 in North Evington, Leicester and Eveline, born 1898 in Clarendon Park, Leicester. In April 1911 Benjamin was absent from the family home at 3, Justice Street, Leicester, residing there was his mother, a hosiery trade worker and his siblings, Kathleen, a boot trade machinist, Evelyn, a schoolgirl and Charles Leslie, a schoolboy, born 1901 in Clarendon Park, Leicester, Benjamin was serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment and was stationed at Connaught Barracks, Rawal Pindi, India. Benjamin’s father, a stone mason, was residing as a lodger at 2 Lee Street, Leicester. Benjamin married Ellen Jarvis in the 3rd quarter of 1914 in the Leicester district. Benjamin’s widow married Sidney H. Baum in the 1st quarter of 1917 in the Leicester district, they resided at 66, Waring Street, Leicester.
The War Diary records: 14 Nov-14 – In trenches sniped, relieved by 1st Royal Fusiliers at 7:00pm proceeded into billets at CHAPLE D’ARMENTIERE. Casualties 1 killed, 2 wounded.
15 Nov-14 – CHAPLE D’ARMENTIERE. Remained in billets. Casualties 1 killed 1 wounded.
On Saturday December 26th 1914 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” - DEATH OF LEICESTER MEN. Private Ben Thrall, first West Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in action on November 15. He was one of the Avenue Road School old boys, and his mother resides at No. 6, Rutland Cottages, Rutland Street Leicester.