Four: Lieutenant F. B. Benthall, London Regiment

1914-15 Star (2980 Pte., 16-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals ((2980 Pte., 16-Lond. R.); Special Constabulary Long Service, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Sergt. Francis B. Benthall) mounted for display, good very fine and better (6) £160-200

Francis Bernard Benthall was born in Twickenham, Middlesex on 14 March 1883, son of Albert and Rosa Benthall. He married Hilda Wakefield at Hampstead on 15 January 1916. As a Private in the 16th Battalion London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles) he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 4 July 1915. Suffered a gunshot wound to the right thigh on 13 October 1915 when serving in the Ypres Salient at St. Jean. He received a commission in the 6th Battalion London Regiment (City of London Rifles) on 2 December 1915. Advanced to Lieutenant in July 1917. He relinquished his commission due to ill health caused by wounds received in action on 30 April 1918 (London Gazette 29 April 1918) and was awarded a Silver War Badge (not in lot). Immediately after the war Benthall served Clerk and Secretary of the Hampstead Parliament. Benthall died in the Watford area in 1962.

With a silver cigarette case, inside inscribed, ‘F. B. Benthall from the Officers of A Company 3/6th City of London Rifles on the occasion of his marriage, Jan. 15, ‘16’, by ‘S. & Co.’, approx. 115 x 84mm., 142g. Also with a coloured miniature of a soldier in khaki, this signed ‘D. Mann’ and dated ‘1900’, oval gilt frame, 68 x 53mm. Also with a quantity of copied research on paper and C.D.