Benjamin J D Lt Royal Naval Reserve
BENJAMIN, JOHN DUXFIELD, Lieut Royal Naval Reserve, of Samuel John Benjamin, of Fairholme, Cobden Street, Darlington, by his wife. Anne Isabella, dau, of John Duxfield Bell. of Newcastle-on-Tyne: b. Darlington, co. Durham, 25 Jan, 1880; edue. Bondgate Higher Grade School there, and on leaving school, served for about a year as a Telegraphist at the Darlington Post Office, where he gained useful experi ence in the Morse Code of Signalling: subsequently served his apprenticeship with Messrs, Walter Runciman & Co., Ship Owners, Newcastle-on-Tyne, on the S.S. Tollochmoor, taking certificates as 2nd Mate, 1st Mate, and Master, and served as First Officer on the S.S. Queensland, belonging to Messrs. Hudsous, of Sunderland joined the Royal Naval Reserve as Sub-Lieut. in Oct, 1916, and was promoted Lient, with Seniority dating Jan. 1917, being given command of one of H.M.T. on Patrol Convoy duty, and was drowned when his ship was sunk by a mine in the North Sea 12 Sept. 1917. Commander Parnell wrote expressing his sympathy. and added: “It may be sotme consolation to you to know that he was in active discharge of his duty when the moment came for him to end his toils.” and a brother officer: “Your husband I knew well, and reckoned him amongst my best friends at this base. He was to me one of the best. and he will be sadly missed, not only by myself, but by all his brother officers here, and by whom he was universally esteemed. Lieut. Benjamin undoubtedly carried out the finest traditions, and was lost with his ship at his post and doing his duty.” Hem. at St. John’s Church, Darlington, 2 Ang. 1910, Margaret Allee (64, Eastbourne Road. Darlington), dan, of Samuel Leyton, of Sunderland, and had two children: John Duxfield, b. 14 Feb. 1916, and Margaret Alice Isabel, b. 28 June, 1912.
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5