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Fifth Generation
18.
[Carl's date of birth is from the information given by him on his Application for Citizenship in Australia. This occurred 29 years after the event, so numerous mistakes and inaccuracies probably occurred]. [A search of LDS records for Swedish baptisms found two possible, but not exact, matches : Carl Johan Bengtsson. Christened : 12th August 1864. Asarum, Blekinge, Sweden. Father : Nils Bengtsson. Mother : Inga Swensdotter. Carl Johan Bengtsson. Born : 25th December 1864. Christened : 6th January 1865. Forkarla, Belkinge, Sweden. Father : Bengt Svensson. Mother : Dorothea Nilsdotter. There are numerous other births and/or baptisms under this name in Sweden in the years around this date. It is probable that his ancestry will never be known. He immigrated on 29 Dec 1884 to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Arrived as a crew member on the 'Timandra'. [No record on this ship arriving around this date. Again the information was given on his Application for Naturalization in Australia. The information was given 9 years after the event. It could be that Carl, being employed in a government establishment, could not, or would not, give the correct information]. [Sometime after his arrival in Australia, Carl took the name Charles Benson. This was a common practice for non-English migrants to do at the time] [ [Nationizaton Papers] [Cause of death : Chronic Nephritis and Heart Failure]. [Death Certificate] Through it all his cheeriness never left him, and he was always glad for some ot his old-time friends to drop. in and have a chat. He leaves a widow and one son, Sergeant Ernest Benson, of Sydney. The eldest son, Gustav, was killed at the war. There were three daughters, but they are all dead. Mrs. John Blows (Lena), Misses Nellie (26) and Amor (17). Sergeant Benson, who came up when his father was so ill, Intends to take his mother back to Sydney with him, there to spend the evening of life]. He was buried on 15 Oct 1938 in Forster, New South Wales, Australia. Old Church of England. ][It is believed that some time before his death, Carl planted a tree near his cemetery plot. This large tree still stands today near his grave. Born in Sweden, as a young man he took up the sea life and travelled in many parts of the world]. Nothing is known of Charles first five years in New South Wales, but it is probable that he became a crew member on one of the coastal traders. In 1889 he arrived in Forster, New South Wales, and became a Pilot boatman for the Government at a salary of 251 Pounds and 50 Shillings per year. He remained in the position until his retirement in 1926. Charles Benson was a man of quiet habits, but nevertheless he came into contact with many people who were quick to appreciate his many excellent qualities of character. After his retirement he continued to be actively involved in the community, where he was well respected. He was the caretaker of the local camping ground for many years and also acted as a doorman at the local School of Arts hall whenever films, dances and other functions were held.  School of Arts, Forster, NSW Carl Johan BENGTSSON and Ellen
Elizabeth KENDALL were married on 19 Sep 1892
in Forster, New South Wales, Australia. [At
the Pilot Station, where he has employed].
[He married the daughter of the Station's Pilot]. [Marriage Certificates] Ellen Elizabeth KENDALL, daughter of Amor Hicks KENDALL and Ellen Elizabeth ASHMEAD, was born on 11 Nov 1870 in Balmain, New South Wales, Australia. She died Cerebral Thrombosis on 29 Jun 1946 at the age of 75 in Woy Woy, New South Wales, Australia. [Cause of death : Cerebral Thrombosis]. [Northern Champion - 3 July 1946 Ellen Elizabeth Benson; whose late husband was va. former pilot at Forster, NSW, passed awav at Woy Woy, on Saturday last. aged 76 years. Her husband passed away about eight years ago,: and was buried at Forster, NSW. [The only surviving child is a son, Sergeant Ernest Benson, of the police station, Woy Woy, NSW]. [Her grave was marked by a wooden cross, which is now gone. Her grave site is now unmarked]. Carl Johan BENGTSSON and Ellen
Elizabeth KENDALL had the following children:
[Birth Certificate] He served in the military from 26 Oct 1916 in Forster, New South Wales, Australia. Regimental number : 3191 School : Forster Public School, New South Wales Religion : Church of England Occupation : Fisherman Address : Forster, Cape Hawke, New South Wales Age at embarkation : 24 He was described as being 5 feet 6.5 inches in height and weighted 147 pounds. He had a chest measurement of 34-37 inches. He was of fair complexion, with blue eyes and with dark hair. He undertook his medical examination at Nabiac, New South Wales on 3rd October 1916. He undertook a further medical examination on 16th October 1916 at Rutherford, New South Wales, and was found fit for active oversea service. He was enlisted as a Private, with service number 3191, and taken on strength of the Reserve Company of the 33rd Battalion. His basic training was undertaken at Rutherford, New South Wales. He embarked in Sydney, New South Wales aboard the 'Suevic' on 11th November 1916 and disembarked at Devonport, England on 30th January 1917. He was marched into the 14th Training Battalion at Hudcott, England on 1st February 1917. On 24th April 1927 he proceeded overseas to France, via Folkestone, and on 26th April was marched into Etaples, France, and on 13th May marched out with his unit. On 26th September 1917 he was wounded in action in the field in France and was admitted to the 3rd Australian Field Ambulance the next day. He was later transferred to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. On 1st October 1917 he was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital, Wimereux, France; suffering from gunshot wounds to his right arm, legs and thighs. Next of kin : Father, Charles Benson, Forster, Cape Hawke, New South Wales Previous military service : Nil Enlistment date : 17 October 1916 Rank on enlistment : Private Unit name : 54th Battalion, 8th Reinforcement AWM Embarkation Roll number: 23/71/4 Embarkation details : Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A29 Rank from Nominal Roll : Private Unit from Nominal Roll : 54th Battalion Fate : Died of wounds 5 October 1917 Place of death or wounding : Polygon Wood, Ypres, Belgium Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial158 Family/military connections : Brother: 3190 Pte Ernest David BENSON, Australian Army Ordnance Corps, returned to Australia, 18 July 1919. Other details War service: Western Front [War Service Records] [War Medals Awarded]
Gustav was buried on 6 Oct 1917 in Wimereux, France. [Burial Records] [War Cemetery] Gustav,
and his brother Ernest, are remembered on
the Forster, NSW, War Memorial
 She died on 23 Dec 1921 at the age of 18 in Taree, New South Wales, Australia. [Cause of death : Subacute Nephritis with uraemia]. [Death Certificate] She died on 19 Mar 1937 at the age of 25 in Forster, New South Wales, Australia. [ [Death Certificate] She was buried on 21 Mar 1937 in Forster, New South Wales, Australia. Old Church of England. |
