Benford, Alfred Onslow
399 Private Alfred Onslow Benford - 11th Battalion AIF
Alfred Benslow was born on the 17th September 1887 in Charters Towers Queensland to Alfred and Marion Benford. He was one of six siblings with, Elizabeth (1889), Maude (1891), May (1896), Louise (1896), Robert (1898).
He moved to WA in the early 1900's and in 1907 he married Maude Victoria Catherine Linthorne in Murchison WA, with his son Arthur born 1908, Onslow in 1911, Jean in 1914, and Ronald in 1924.
During the 1900's Alfred also spent three years in the Citizens Military Forces.
In 1912 the family were living at 127 (later renumbered 83) South Terrace Fremantle and he was working as a billiard marker.
In 1914 the family moved to 17 Nairn Street (later renumbered to 11 Nairn) and Alfred was now working as a Lumper.
On the 14th August 1914 Alfred enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;
Height - 5 feet 7 & 1/2 inches tall;
Weight - 143lbs;
Chest Measurement - 35 inches;
Complexion - Fair;
Eyes - Blue;
Hair - Brown.
Upon his successful enlistment, Alfred was sent to Blackboy Hill Camp where he was assigned to the original "D" Company of the 11th Battalion AIF. (The original 8 companies were later merged to 4 companies so the original "D" Company became part of the new "B" Company).
The 11th Battalion trained in WA, mainly at Blackboy Hill Camp, through September and October 1914. They were keenly awaiting the orders for departure for service overseas. They were finally told to pack up camp and which much excitement entrained for Fremantle. On the 31st October 1914 in Fremantle Harbour, Herbert and the 11th Battalion boarded the H.M.A.T. “Ascanius” and set sail amid a rousing crowd on the wharf who bid them farewell. The ship then remained in Gage Roads with the HMAT Medic until the early hours of November 2nd 1914, when they set sail to meet the rest of the convoy sailing from Albany.
The journey took the 11th Battalion to Egypt as it was a warmer climate for the Australians to train in as compared to England and also for the reason that Turkey had come into the war on the side of the Germans and that British were worried about Egypt’s security.
From December 1914 to March 1915 the 11th Battalion were based at Mena Camp just outside of Cairo and undertook much training. The 3rd Brigade were thought to be the best of the Australian Brigades and in March were sent to Lemnos Island off the Turkish coast to prepare for a landing somewhere near the Dardanelles. The 11th Battalion spent some time at Lemnos Island practising their landing and going for route marches through the Island. They were eventually joined on the Island by the other Australian Brigades as well as New Zealanders, British, French and Indians.
On April 25th the landings took place on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The 11th Battalion landed at what we know today as North Beach. The men climbed up the rugged hills between North Beach and Russel’s Top and made their way inland. Many of Alfred’s B Company was dragged into the fight in the vicinity of Quinn’s Post and Baby 700.
Casualties were heavy though Alfred survived the landing unscathed. After the first week ashore the 11th Battalion were then sent to the southern portion of the Anzac Battlefield. The 11th Battalion were in the thick of the action through May and June 1915 though Alfred hadn't been wounded, the constant action was having an impact on his health.
On the 5th July 1915 Alfred was evacuated with a weak heart and was evacuated by hospital ship to Malta. He was sent to St George's Hospital before being transferred to St Andrew's Hospital. On the 6th September 1915 Alfred was transferred to England.
He was then admitted to the Military Hospital at Lewisham. Alfred would remain there in hospital for the next few months. Alfred was then sent to the AIF Base camp in England while he regained his fitness.
On the 22nd February 1916 Alfred was sent to the Anzac Base Depot Camp at Weymouth. By this stage the Gallipoli battlefield had been evacuated and the 11th battalion had returned to Egypt. Due to his health not being one hundred percent, Alfred was retained in England well into 1916.
He would have a few more stays in hospital including in June 1916 when he was admitted to No.4 London General Hospital.
After being released from hospital on the 17th June 1916 Alfred was sent to the 3rd Training Battalion on the Salisbury Plains. This was the training facility in England for the 11th Battalion and 3rd Infantry Brigade. The 11th Battalion was now in France and Alfred resumed training in earnest.
Alfred missed the Somme actions at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm in July and August 1916 but was sent to France on the 30th August 1916. He initially went to the 1st Australian Division Base Depot at Etaples. He remained here for two weeks but then joined the 11th Battalion on the 12th September 1916.
The 11th Battalion were then in the front line in Belgium near Ypres. After being absent from the 11th Battalion for 15 months there would have been few familiar faces for Alfred when he rejoined his unit.
In October 1916 the 11th Battalion returned to the Somme battlefield and they would spend November 1916 to February 1917 undergoing a very cold and muddy French winter near Flers. Alfred remained with the 11th Battalion through the French winter but on the 26th February 1917 he was evacuated ill with scabies. He was initially sent to the 6th Field Ambulance but was then transferred to a rest camp where his condition improved. He rejoined his Battalion on the 25th March 1917.
The unit were then near Morchies and Boursies having followed up the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. The 11th Battalion were sent to the front at Lagnicourt where they held isolated outposts.
On the 12th April 1917 Alfred was evacuated with trench fever. Three days after being evacuated his unit were involved in the large German attack at Lagnicourt in which many of the 11th battalion were killed or taken prisoner. Alfred therefore was quite fortunate in his timing.
Alfred had been sent to the 3rd Field Ambulance and from there to the 9th Casualty Clearing Station. From there he was sent to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Wimereux.
He was then shipped to England for more medical treatment. He was then admitted to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital where he remained till the 18th July 1917. He was then released from hospital and given a two week furlough.
On the 27th July he was admitted to the King George Military Hospital with bronchitis. On the 13th August 1917 he was then transferred back to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital. Alfred was then released to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth.
Alfred had been diagnosed with cardiac issues and would remain in England for several months. On the 17th June 1918 Alfred boarded a transport ship, disembarking in Fremantle on the 8th August 1918.
Alfred was discharged from the AIF on the 4th September 1918.
On his return in 1918 he went to live at 7 Church Street (later renamed to Stephen Street in 1931 and 1960's changed to Stevens Street) and resumed work as a Lumper;
The family then went to Geraldton in the 1920's and 30's before moving to the Goldfields.
Alfred died on the 17th December 1951 in Coolgardie aged 65