James Benson
Memorial: Patchway
Regiment: Royal Engineers
Medals: 1939–45 Star, War Medal 1939–1945
Rank and number: Sapper
Parents: Alfred John and Mary Benson
Home address: 18 Ravenscourt Road Patchway
Pre-war occupation: Building contractor
Date of birth: 20/08/1916
Date of death: 10/08/1944
Buried/Commemorated at: Buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France. Commemorated Patchway War Memorial
Age: 27
Further information:
3 Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers.
James was the youngest of 4 brothers all of whom lived together as adults before the outbreak of war and worked together in the building trade, so unsurprisingly James joined the Royal Engineers. He was married and widowed by the age of 23.
James’ squadron was parachuted into Normandy on D-Day with 2 specific tasks for that day that they managed to achieve despite being dropped a considerable distance from the target zones. They continued to advance over the ensuing weeks, tasked with constructing shelters, water points, piping etc. in support of the troops fighting in the battle of Normandy. James lost his life some 2 months after landing in France.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
This information has been provided by Sarah Hands, Volunteer Researcher for the South Gloucestershire War Memorials Web Site.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
https://www.cwgc.org/
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/
https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/16/a2523016.shtml
http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/war_3parasqn.htm