Name
Benjamin Holt
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/07/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
18619
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
Benjamin was born around 1875, and according to the 1911 census, was born in Hitchin and his father was James, but as yet his mother has not been identified and he has not yet been found in the censuses before 1911.
He married Ada Annie Linford in Hitchin on 1905.
By 1911 Benjamin (36) and Ada (31) were living at 51 Sunnyside, Hitchin, Herts. with Benjamin working as a bricklayer. The census recorded they had been married for 5 years with 3 children, all living. Of those children only two are named, Albert Edward (5) and Benjamin Arthur (3).
The electoral register places Benjamin at the Sunnyside address until 1915. The same source places him at 4 Ivy Hill, Hitchin 1908 and .9
Officially he was recorded as born in Hitchin, Herts. and living there when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
Benjamin was given the Regimental Number 18619 in the 2nd Battalion of the Bedfords and went to France on 30 September 1915.
He was initially reported as missing but later as killed in action at Trones Wood in France. At the time of his death the Battalion was part of the 30th Division in the 4th Army.
The 2nd Bedfords went to the front near the Briqueterie which had just been captured, the South Africans being on the left in Bernafray Wood and the 17th Liverpool on the right. The undergrowth in Trones Wood was very dense and it was difficult to keep direction and control. His death coincides with an attack whereby the Battalion established a firm foothold in Trones Wood, but in the process lost over a quarter of the Battalion as casualties. It was a long day of intense fighting.
He has no known grave and is remembered on Pier and Face 2C of the great Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in France.
Additional Information
After his death £2 19s 10d was authorised to go to his widow, Ada, on 23 April 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £6 10s was authorised to be paid to her on 16 September 1919.
His various pension cards record Ada Annie Holt living 6 Union Park, Hitchin and James Holt, 28 Highbury Road, Hitchin, however gives no details of any awarded pension.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
