Private 240696 Benjamin Willetts

BMD details:
Marriage: 03/09/1910 Benjamin WILLETS to Elizabeth PENNINGTON at Ravenhead St John's.

Family details:
Husband of Elizabeth Willetts, of 33, Burtonhead Rd., St. Helens, Lancs.

Census details:
1891 - 5 months old Benjamin is living at 13 Burtonhead Road, Sutton, St Helens with parents Benjamin (25), Margaret (24) and sibling William C (2). They were staying at the home of grandparents William Pigot (61), Elizabeth Pigot (45). 1901 - 10 years old Benjamin is living at 13 Burtonhead Road, Sutton, St Helens with widowed mother Margaret (34) and brothers William C (12), John (7). 1911 - Sees 21 years old 'Coal Miner - Hewer' Benjamin living at 149 Sherdley Road, Sutton, St Helens with wife of one year Elizabeth (20) and daughter Margaret (1). They are staying at the home of In-Laws Joseph Finney (56), Sarah Jane Finney (56), John Pennington (22) and Emily Finney (14).

Notes:
MM [url=http://sthelensrollsofhonour.co.uk/lmem.php?lmem=9]Remembered On The Holy Trinity War Memorial, Parr, St Helens.[/url]

[b]Military Service.[/b] Benjamin enlisted into the 1st/5th Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment in St.Helens. He was initially given the service number 2605 and entered France on the 05/12/1915. The 1st/5th South Lancs formed part of the 166th (South Lancashire) Brigade, which itself was part of the 55th (West Lancashire) Division. The 55th Division relieved the 29th Division in the Ypres Salient in October 1916 and it is there that the division spent the next year. In 1917 they were in action at Pilkem Ridge and Menin Road Ridge during the Third Battle of Ypres. The Battle of Pilkem Ridge (31 July - 2 August) is the likely place were Benjamin Willets received fatal wounds. Between 30 July and 4 August, in the Division's attack in the area of Spree, Pond and Schuler Farms, no fewer than 168 officers and 3384 men were killed, wounded or missing. Benjamin Willetts died of wounds on the 1st of August 1917. The War diary for the 1st/5TH does not name Benjamin specifically, although it does talk about an action on the 31st July at Capricorn Trench where the enemy had bombarded the area during a night of heavy rainfall around Pond Farm and Spree Farm. By the end of this day three ordinary ranks had been killed and 29 wounded. It is not beyond reasonable possibility that Willets was wounded on the 29th but by the same logic he could have been wounded in the days leading up to this and the War Dairy mentions several other casualties during that period. [pic]imgs/sppics/240696_Ben_Willetts_MM.png[/pic][caption]Benjamin Willetts MM was gazetted on 25/09/1917.[/caption] On the day Benjamin died (1st August 1917), the battalion were taking part in Third Ypres, and diary reads.. ''CAPRICORN TRENCH'' ''A barrage was put down on the enemy line as movement had been seen behind POND FARM but no enemy came through. Rain fell heavily throughout the night. Standing Patrols were put about 50 yards from CAPRICORN SUPPORT. Our working party was periodically swept by M.G. fire. An enemy sniper was active from direction of ??? but did little damage. Enemy fired at regular intervals with High Explosive on concrete dugouts in CAPRICORN TRENCH. Salvos were regularly placed om road behind SPREE FARM. A constant barrage was placed about 100 yards behind CAP TRANCH. Warning had come through prisoners statements that a counter attack was expected that afternoon. Our artillery put down a barrage and no counter attack materialised. At dark, enemy bombarded our system chiefly CAP SUPT and ground in between. 2 wounded prisoners were found in dugout in CAP SUPT. When bombardment died down patrols were sent out 300 yards from CAP SUPT on right. There was no trace of enemy. Our left patrol saw 2 or 3 large patrols moving between POND FAR< and FORT HILL. Rain still fell heavily. Casualties - 3 O Ranks killed, 29 wounded. '' (Stephen Nulty) [pic]imgs/shmh1/benjamin_willetsmedals.png[/pic][caption]The medals of Pte Willets (from left to right: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal & Military Medal).[/caption] [pic]imgs/shmh1/benjamin_willetsMP.png[/pic][caption]The Memorial Plaque[/caption] [pic]imgs/shmh1/benjamin_willets2.png[/pic][caption]Pte Willetts in uniform[/caption] [pic]imgs/S1PWHYAOTV/B_Willetts_SLR_zpsf21e66c0.jpg[/pic][caption]The headstone of Private Bejamin Willetts M.M. at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery (Photo courtesy of Frederik Sohier)[/caption] [pic]imgs/WW1_headstones/240696_Willetts.jpg[/pic][caption]A dedication for Private Benjamin Willetts at St Helens Cemetery (Photo courtesy of Jeff Keenan)[/caption]