Soldier Record
Brown Benjamin
Contributed by: Janine Brown Jones, on 2008-11-11
| Rank | |
|---|---|
| First Name | Brown |
| Surname | Benjamin |
| Year of Birth | 1893 |
| Year of Death | 1917 |
| Regiment | Royal Field Artillery |
| Place of Wartime Residence | Leeds, West Yorkshire |
Brown's Story
Driver Benjamin Brown was killed taking ammunition to the line on October 30th 1917, near Ypres. Among the very few things that were returned to his wife was an unfinished letter, started the day before he was killed. This reads ".....I am (alright) at present and I am thankful to say that, for this last two days I have been through hell. Excuse the word love, but that is only how I can describe it and I thank God I have got out of it safe and sound and I shall shake hands with myself when I leave this place. I can tell you I gave myself up, but God was good, and I got through and back again with my ammo....“ The letter ends abruptly there.
...for this last two days I have been through hell...
He had only ever seen his only son once, my father, who was only just a year old at the time.
Nevertheless, I have lived my life, with my brothers and sister, with the memory of this man who we never knew. I have always felt the significance of Remembrance Day, even when I didn’t really understand exactly what it was about.
I know little more than this about Ben, but it is a matter of great family importance that we don’t let these memories disappear, that we continue to honour those who have died in all wars on this day, two minutes is precious little to give up to do so.
No additional memories have been submitted