Benjamin's Story.
Benjamin was baptised 6 September 1885 at Birkenhead, son of William and Sarah Wall, the 1891 census shows the family living at 99 Back Price Street, William 32, was working as a dock labourer. Benjamin is listed age 6, having two elder siblings Sarah 9, and Oliver 8, along with two younger, James 3, and William 2. In 1901 the family had moved to 111 Vine Street, Benjamin 16, was working as a dock labourer, by 1911 the family had moved again and were then living at 91 Back Price Street, Benjamin listed as age 25, was living with William and Sarah, they had been married 35 years had nine children, of which sadly 4 had died.
Benjamin was in Australia when war was declared, his service papers show that he enlisted August 1915, he gave his age as 29 years 4 months, he was 5ft 6 ½ inches, it also shows that he had served 12 years with the field artillery, this possibly could be as a territorial, the Birkenhead News in 1916 states that he served in the Boer War, however the 1901 census shows he was certainly in the UK , it could be he did serve for a short period in South Africa between 1899 and 1902.
In February 1916 he joined the 53rd battalion and embarked for Europe, on route he was taken ill with mumps and was admitted to 14th Field Ambulance at Ismailia, re-joining his battalion 5th May 1916, he again embarked to join the BEF via Alexandria arriving in Marseilles 28th June 1916.
Benjamin’s war in France would last just a few week’s, he was killed in action 19th July 1916 in an attack near to Fleurbaix, the war diary for the day states:
19th July. 11 AM heavy bombardment by our own guns on enemy trenches and equal heavy bombardment by enemy on our trenches and communications, casualties by 1500 hours, about 50.
16:00 hours. 54th battalion took over the left 300 yards of our trenches and battalion closed in on our original front of 300 yards. A & B Companies in the frontline, C & D companies in support trenches.
17:43 hours. Battalion moved forward to attack in four waves, half company of both A & B in the first and second wave half company of C & D in 3rd and 4th waves, battalion headquarters with 4th wave. 1st wave moved out from our trenches at 5:43 PM followed at 100 yards distance by second wave, and lay down near the German wire till 6:00 PM, then charged followed by 3rd and 4th waves.
Took German first and second line trenches and pushed on parties about 200 yards further on to hold back enemy bombers who were counter attacking on our front and right flank, while the remainder preceded to consolidate the position on the German first and second line trenches. Touch was obtained with the 54th battalion on our left but none could be found on our right, the line was held throughout the night against violent attacks, until orders were received about 9:00 AM 20th July from OC 14th brigade to retire from our position won, our right flank being in the air, enemy had already turned it and established themselves in their first line trenches in the rear of our right. About 9:30 retired with very heavy losses covered by fire from our own frontline.
Battalion went into the line with 28 officers, and 823 other ranks.
Officers killed 6, Wounded 10, Missing 8.
Other ranks killed 30, Wounded 343, Missing 228.
During Benjamin’s few weeks in France he did receive a couple of field punishments, 7th July he was charged with being absent from parade for which he received 72 hours Field Punishment No. 2. and three days later, 10th July he was charged with being drunk on active service and secondly being improperly dressed for which received another 168 hours Field Punishment No. 2.
Benjamin’s death and reports of his brother Oliver missing appeared in the Birkenhead News.
The Birkenhead News. Wednesday, August 30, 1916
Three Sons with the Colours.
One Killed, One Missing and Another in Hospital
Mr and Mrs Wall are 44, Frederick Street, have received official intimation of the death of one son and that another is missing. They are gunner Benjamin wall off the Australian Imperial Force (killed), and private Oliver Wall, of the Cheshire Regiment (missing)
A Famous Boxer
Gunner Wall, who when in England, resided with his mother and father in Frederick Street, he was 31 years of age and well known in boxing circles, having fought such celebrated men as Billy Lang, whom he defeated in 11 rounds in Sydney Australia, and Curly Davies. He was wounded earlier in the war. Gunner Wall had served in the R.F.A., and fought in the Boer War, in all serving about 13 years with the forces. When war broke out, he was in Australia, following up his ring career and joined the Australian Mounted Infantry. The late soldier was well known in Birkenhead, being educated at St. Anne’s School and he worked at the docks for a time.
Gunner Walls elder brother, private Oliver Wall, of 11 School Place, who was reported missing since July 2nd, is 34 years of age, and joined Kitchener’s army on its formation in the early days of the war. He has a wife and four children. Mr and Mrs Wall have another son who was also serving but is now lying ill in hospital.