The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (874) Captain Claude Elmhurst Benson DCM 9th Battalion, AIF, First World War

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Richard Cruise, the story for this day was on (874) Captain Claude Elmhurst Benson DCM 9th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

874 Captain Claude Elmhurst Benson DCM 9th Battalion, AIF
KIA 2 July, 1916
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 15 August 2014

Today we remember and pay tribute to Captain Claude Benson.

Claude Benson was born on 15 March 1887 to Edward and Elizabeth Benson of Ryde, New South Wales. Claude grew up in the area and attended Ryde Public School. He served with the school’s cadets, but after leaving school moved to Townsville, where he began working as a clerk in the merchandise department of the Burns Phillip shipping line.

Benson enlisted in August 1914 and was posted to the 9th Battalion. He was soon promoted to sergeant and in September he embarked aboard the transport ship Omrah. After several months’ training in Egypt he and the bulk of the AIF sailed to Lemnos Island in preparation for the Gallipoli campaign.

Benson was among the first wave of men ashore on Gallipoli. During the day, “with great courage and presence of mind”, he was known to lead “into the firing line men whose officers had all been killed or wounded, and who had suffered very heavy losses. His fine example and devotion to duty were conspicuous.” For these acts he was awarded a Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was commissioned in the field with the rank of second lieutenant.

By July harsh conditions and poor diet forced Benson to be evacuated sick to Lemnos, where he was promoted to lieutenant, but when his health did not improve he was moved to Egypt. On recovery, he sailed back to Gallipoli aboard the transport Southland, which was torpedoed, forcing the ship to be abandoned by the troops aboard. Benson’s life boat foundered, and he and the other occupants of the boat spent three hours in the water waiting for rescue.

He rejoined his unit on Gallipoli in September, remaining there until the 9th Battalion was evacuated in November.

Benson was made captain in March 1916, shortly sailing to France. The 9th Battalion was sent to the sector around Armentières and went into the front line for the first time in May.

That June, Benson joined a raiding party as second-in-command to his friend Captain Maurice Wilder-Neligan. The raiding party trained for several weeks and made numerous night-time forays into no man’s land to familiarise the men with their plan of attack.

On the night of 1 July Benson, leading the right flank, entered the German trenches, and bitter hand-to-hand fighting ensued. The Germans, unable to reinforce due to the Australian artillery barrage, were hit hard. When the signal to retire was given, the Australians made their way with 25 German prisoners back to the allied trenches.

Benson was the last man out of the German trenches, but just as he was leaving he was shot in the back and killed. Several of his men returned for their fallen officer, and his body was carried out that day as the 9th Battalion left the front line.

He was buried at midday on 2 July at the Rue-Du-Bois Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix. He was 26 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with around 60,000 others from the First World War. There is no photograph in the Memorial’s collection to display beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of courage and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Captain Claude Benson, and all of those Australians who have given their lives in service of our nation.