A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lewis Gunner, Private J. Benson, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, for his gallantry during the attack towards Transloy, 12 October 1916, when he and his team carried a machine gun into a shell-hole in No Man’s Land, and he personally accounted for 7 of the enemy with his rifle

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2589 Pte J. Benson. 2/Lanc: Fus.); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (2589 Pte J. Benson. 2/Lan: Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (2589 Pte. J. Benson. Lan. Fus.) generally good very fine and better (4) £800-£1,000

D.C.M. London Gazette 11 December 1916:
‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He with two other men carried his machine gun into a shell hole in “No Man’s Land,” where he fired continuously and inflicted severe casualties on the enemy. He himself shot 7 of the enemy with a rifle.’

Joseph Benson was born in Hooley Hill, Lancashire in 1894, and joined the Lancashire Fusiliers in July 1912. He served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in the French theatre of war from 22 August 1914. Benson was employed as a machine gunner, August 1914 - December 1915, and as a Lewis Gunner, July - November 1916.

Benson served with the Battalion as part of the 12th Brigade, 4th Division on the Somme, July to November 1916. The Regimental History gives Benson as distinguishing himself during the attack towards Transloy, 12 October 1916. The attack was unsuccessful, and the Battalion losses ‘having been 4 officers and 62 other ranks killed, 6 officers and 162 other ranks wounded, and 1 officer and 100 other ranks missing.’

Benson subsequently served with the 11th Battalion and 1/5th Battalion, and was discharged at Preston in July 1924.

Sold with the following related original documentation: Certificate of Employment During the War; Discharge Certificate; Enclosure slip for 1914 Star; and copied research.