Personal Details

Born: 23 September 1885 in Newtown, Montgomeryshire, Wales.

Family: He was the second of eleven  children born to Jonathan Benbow, a tailor and his wife Margaret. He married Emily Rudge 13 December 1915 at the Church of St Michael and All Angels, Lydbury, Shropshire. The couple had two children, Herbert Oswald and Beryl B.

Residence: In 1891 he and his parents and siblings were living  in Long Bridge Street, Llandiloes, Montgomeryshire. They were still there in 1901. By 1911 Oswald was a boarder at 33 Church Street, Bishops Castle, Shropshire. On his Attestation in 1915 his address was given as 11 Park Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire. By 1939 he was living with his wife and son at 29 Brocton, Clun, Shropshire. At the time of his death in 1964 his home was 58 Church Street, Bishops Castle, Shropshire.

Employment: He was a journeyman tailor.

Died: 10 November 1961 at Clun, Shropshire, aged 79.

Military Details

Regiment: Rifle Brigade

Rank: Private

Service Number: S/14591

Date of Enlistment: 6 December 1915

Date of Discharge: 12 May 1916

Reason for Discharge: Not likely to become an efficient soldier due to ill health