Current Information:

Age-41

179, Sumner Road, Peckham

The exact circumstances of the death of Edward Benson on 15th November, 1914 are not known but artillery men faced many dangers and during the course of the war nearly 50,000 of them were killed. Their gun batteries were targeted by the enemy’s guns which accounted for many of their casualties. Others were sent forward to act as ‘spotters’ which meant going forward to the front line and signalling back to the guns necessary changes in target and other vital information. Keeping the batteries supplied with ammunition was a dangerous task as the enemy guns would target the known supply routes, especially at night. Brigade Diaries rarely shine any light on casualties sustained, unless of course they were officers and even then information is sparse.

2 Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery went to France in September, 1914 as part of 6th Division which, during October and November, were involved in the heavy fighting around Armentières.