FRANCIS Joseph Benson was the son of John Thomas and Mary (nee Brown or Smith).
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He was born at Wagga in 1899 (according to birth records). This, however, would make his age at enlistment 16 years, not 18 years as stated on his official papers.
After embarking from Australia in 1915, Francis saw active service in Gallipoli, where he was hospitalised with Laryngitis and Sciatica.
He then transferred to Egypt, and then onto Marseilles, disembarking on March 25, 1916.
On August 5, 1916 Francis was wounded in action.
Francis was admitted to the 3rd Stationary Hospital (Rouen, France) on August 6, 1916, with a gunshot wound to his right shoulder.
The Roman Catholic Chaplain attending this Hospital (Francis E Ratcliffe) wrote the following account:
“... unfortunately as in so many cases Septisemia (sic) supervened – and in their efforts to save his life, the physicians performed four operations. His bed was placed outside under the trees during the fine August weather, but his system collapsed.”
“I was summoned from three miles away at 11pm on the Tuesday night, and gave him all the last Sacraments.
“Even then he was only being kept alive with oxygen and injections. I saw him again the following morning, and in the evening, when again I said all the prayers of the church over him, and then he passed quietly away the following morning – Thursday, August 24 at 10.55am.
“The loving attention with which he was surrounded by doctors and nurses seemed to touch him deeply.
“I don’t think he suffered much pain and was always cheerful and happy during the 18 days, when I paid him a daily visit. His cheerfulness and kindly gratitude for the least service rendered were much commended on, even at a place where most show such heroism and patience.
“The following day he was laid to rest in a private grave, in the beautiful cemetery of the ‘Champs des Courses’ with full military honours, and all the rites of his church. His grave with its wooden cross, is numbered and registered, and tended by loving hands.
“And their (sic) amid his hero brethren, he is asleep, having given in life and death his all for the Great Cause.”
The personal effects returned to Francis’s mother (Mary Benson, Docker Street, Wagga) on his death included: two identity discs, letters, cards, photos, field message book, bayonet, periscope, money belt, brooch, diary, purse, wallet, nine coins and a bag.
Francis is listed on the Soldiers’ Memorial and Victory Memorial Arch, Wagga.
Information compiled by Michelle Maddison from the Museum of the Riverina for the exhibition He Belonged to Wagga – Our Anzac Story (1914-19), now on display at the Museum of the Riverina Botanic Gardens site.
