William Benton

This story and photos are shared by the Trust with kind permission from Mavis Williams, Researcher. Photos source: Photoman81, FindaGrave.com

William Benton was born on the 7th of February 1923, the only son, I believe, of Henry & Lily Benton (née Brook) who had married on the 24th of April 1916 at St. Jude’s Parish Church, Hunslet, Leeds.

The first time we see the young couple is on the 1921 census, which was taken on the 29^th of June 1921, when we see them living at 59, Thwaite Gate, Hunslet, Yorkshire (West Riding).   Henry Benton was working as a Greengrocer (Dealer) alongside his wife, Lily, who was a Dealer’s Assistant.

We see William Benton for the first time on the 1939 National Register, which was taken on the 29th of September 1939. He was living with his parents at 96a, Commercial Street, Rothwell and was working as a cabinet maker. Sadly, I have no other information on William Benton, neither his early or teen years but he was to find himself fighting on D-Day and laid down his life for our freedom.

William Benton must have been in the same queue to enlist or was in the same building, as he was the next regimental number to Harry Bentley, who also died on the 6th of June and they are commemorated next to each other on the British Normandy Memorial. They both served with the 1st Battalion, South Lancasire Regiment and he was to find himself fighting on D-Day and laid down his life for our freedom.

The battalion landed on Sword Beach and faced severe opposition on the beach, and suffered losses as they cleared the seafront houses and the German strongpoint codenamed 'Cod'. He was first buried in Lion sur Mer but was reburied on the 14th of November 1944 at the Bayeux British Cemetery, where he now lies.

Both Henry & Lily Benton were alive to bear the grief of the loss of their only son William. Henry was to die on the 14th of January 1968, aged 77 years and then on the 21st of December 1968, Lily was to pass away, aged 74 years. On their gravestone, William’s name was added, recalling his death on the 6th of June 1944, aged 21 years.

 

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of William Benton. If you are aware of one, or you are related to William, we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.