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Those Who Came After The Original 500

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William James Benson Regt # 4132
Son of Samuel and Emma Jane Benson
Donated by Robert Benson

Terlinchten British Military Cemetery, Wimille

William James Benson joined the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in Nov. 1917 when he just 18 years old. He went overseas and did his training at Hazeley Down Camp near Winchester, England. He qualified as a light machine gunner. [Lewis gun]. At that time, the Regiment had been withdrawn from the front line because of heavy casualties at Monchy. By August 1918, the regiment was back up to full fighting strength of 800 officers and men. On the way to the front in 1918, William was slightly gassed. The Newfoundlanders went into action with other British troops in September 1918. By early October, the regiment's fighting strength was down to about 250. On Oct 17, while in action in Flanders near the River Lys, William was wounded in the left knee. He was taken to a field hospital where his leg was amputated. Unfortunately, gangrene from the wound spread throughout his body and he died of systemic infection. He died 29 Oct 1918 and is buried in the Terlinchten British Military Cemetery, Wimille, on the northern outskirts of Boulogne, France. At the entrance to the United Church graveyard in Sunnyside, there's a granite marker in his memory. William was 19 years old. The above article was written by Bob Benson for the Telegram on the 80th anniversary of end of WW I

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