23.  Ernest David BENSON (Carl Johan-5, Bengt-4, Sven-3, Bengt-2, Hakan-1) was born on 14 Jan 1898 in Forster, New South Wales, Australia.

[Birth Certificate]

He was a keen swimmer and obtained the Bronze and Silver Medals for lifesaving.
After leaving school he became a fisherman, one of the few locally available occupations.
Ernest was educated at the Public School, Forster, New South Wales. He received only a primary school education, as secondary education was not locally available, expensive and considered unnecessary at the time.

He served in the military. He applied for enlistment into the Australian Imperial Forces at Rutherford, New South Wales, on 4th October 1916. He had the consent of both his parents, bering under twenty one years of age. His personal particulars show him as being 18 years and 10 months of age and 6 feet in height. He weighed 161 pounds and had a chest measurement of 37 inches. He was of dark complexion, with grey eyes and dark hair.
He undertook his preliminary medical examination at Nabiac, New South Wales, on 9th October 1916. He undertook a more detailed medical examination at Rutherford, New South Wales, on 16 October 1916 and was accepted for overseas duty.
Ernest was enlisted at Rutherford, New South Wales, the next day, at Rutherford, New South Wales, as a Private, with service number 3190. He was initially assigned to the 33rd Battalion. He undertook his basic training at Rutherford, New South Wales.
He embarked at Sydney on 11th November 1916 aboard the 'Suevic', with his brother, Gustav, as a member of the 54th Battalion. He disembarked at Devonport, England on 30th January 1917.
He was sent to Hurdcott, England, and assigned to the 14th Training Battalion for additional training. His service papers show that he was assigned to this unit on 1st February 1917.
On 17th February he was admitted to hospital sick with influenza. The next day, after discovering that he had bronchitis, and was transferred to the Medical Hospital, Fovant, Wiltshire, England. He was discharged from hospital on the 24th February and returned to his depot.
On 23rd July 1917, his records showed Ernest was proceeding overseas to France, via Southampton. Two days later he was marched into Haire, France. On 9th August he was marched out to a unit. He was taken on strength as part of the reinforcements of the 54th Battalion on 11th August 1917.
On 27th February 1918, whilst in the field of war, Ernest was granted leave, returning on 13th March 1918.
On the 21st March he was taken to hospital, from the field, sick; the exact nature of the illness is not clear from his service records. On the same day he was admitted to the 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station in the field, and later transferred to the Ambulance Transport Unit no.19, also in the field. He was discharged from hospital on 31st May and returned to the Base Depot at Haire, France, having spent 72 days in hospital.
on 1st September 1918 he was wounded in action and admitted to the Canadian Casualty Station and, on the same day, transferred to hospital.
On 4th September, he was embarked from France for his return to England, invalid from wounds. The next day he was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital at Netley, England, with shot gun wounds to his hand and foot. His parents were advised on the 19th September.
Whilst at Netley, England, he was granted furlough from 4th October to 18 October, with his records stating that he was attached to the no.1 Communication Depot, 54th Battalion at Sutton, Veny, England. After his furlough he was transferred to AAOC in London, England.
On his return to Australia, in October 1919, he was medically discharged from the Australian Imperial Forces.
 
[World War One Service Record]
[World War One Medals Award]
[War Memorial, Forster, NSW]
[War Memorial, Woy Woy, NSW]

After Ernest's returned from the war, he made his way back to Forster, NSW.
He went back to fishing and, successfully, applied for oyster leases.

[Government Notices : Oyster Leases, Forster, NSW]

He successfully applied for admission into the New South Wales Police Force. He undertook his training at the Bourke Street Police Academy in Sydney, New South Wales,
[Residing with the THORNTON family in Enmore]

In 1923 he was assigned as an Ordinary Constable to the 4th Police Division in Phillip Street, Sydney, before transferring to the Water Police.

He was transferred to the Port Stephens Water Police, stationed at Tea Gardens, a one officer police station. He was stationed here for three years.
[Port Stephens—Constable Ernest David Benson, stationed at Tea Gardens,—from 10th June, 1929.]

He was transferred back to the Sydney Water Police and the family resided at Maroubra, New South Wales.

In 1939 he received a recommendation for conspicious bravery on the occasion of the 'Rodney' launch disaster on 12th February 1938.

He was transferred back to the Ordinary Police Force in 1943 and stationed as Officer in Charge at Woy Woy, New South Wales.
[Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales - 21 May 1943 Brisbane Water—Constable Ernest David Benson, stationed at Woy Woy, vice Sergeant E. C. Whitechurch,—from 23rd March, 1943]
Here he was promoted to the rank of Crown Sergeant.
He also acted as Police Inspector, Gosford, NSW.

[Newspaper Articles]
 
He died on 26 Jun 1972 at the age of 75 in Woy Woy, New South Wales, Australia.

[Death Certificate]
[Newspaper Article : Obituary]

He was buried on 28 Jun 1975 in Point Clare, New South Wales, Australia.




 

Ernest David BENSON and Eva Inez Millicent RICKETTS were married on 22 Sep 1923 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Pitt Street Congregational Church.

Eva Inez Millicent RICKETTS, daughter of William George Edward RICKETTS and Eva May INGLIS, was born on 15 Jul 1900 in Clermont, Queensland, Australia.

Eva was envolved in the local branch of the Country Womens Association, being an office bearer for many years




She died  on 9 Dec 1975 at the age of 75 in Gosford, New South Wales, Australia.
[Septicaemia, cellulitis of left leg and cardiac failure]

[Death Certificate]

[Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales - 12 March 1976
ANY person having any claim upon the estate of EVA INEZ MILLICENT BENSON, late of Woy Woy, widow, who died on 9th December, 1975, must send particulars of his claim to the executor, Ernest Graham Benson, c.o. P. D. Tonkin Morrell & Knibb, Solicitors, 77 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy 2256, or their agents, Gould & Shaw, Solicitors, 72 Pitt Street, Sydney 2000, on or before 19th May, 1976. The executor will distribute the assets of the estate, having regard only to the claims of which at that date he has notice. Probate was granted in New South Wales on 26th February, 1976. P. D. TONKIN MORRELL & KNIBB, Solicitors, 77 Blackwall Road, Woy Woy 2256.] She was buried on 12 Dec 1975 in Point Clare, New South Wales, Australia. [Government Gazette of the State of New South Wales - 17 May 1957
THE Governor-in-Council has approved of the appointment of the undermentioned persons to the Commission of the Peace for the State of New South Wales, viz.;—
Benson, Eva Inez Millicent, 167 Brickwharf-road, Woy Woy.]

+42 v. Alan Inglis BENSON, born 18 Jan 1937, Maroubra, New South Wales, Australia;
died 24 Aug 2008, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.
married Barbara Edith TAYLOR, 1 Jan 1955, Woy Woy, New South Wales, Australia;
married Cheryl Ann DAWSON, 14 Aug 1976, Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia;