Benjamin Warren
Date of birth: 1897
Date of death: 28.4.1917
Area: Wrenthorpe
Regiment: Northumberland Fusiliers
Family information: Son of Robert William Bonser Warren and Jane nee Wood
Rank: Private
Service number: 35794
War Service
Benjamin enlisted and was Private 47895 in the West Yorkshire Regiment, but then transferred to Private 35794 in the Northumberland Fusiliers 27th Battalion (Tyneside Irish).
On February 9th 1918 the Wakefield Express carried the following:
“WRENTHORPE BROTHERS KILLED. About a month ago we reported the death in action of William Henry Warren, KOYLI. Information has now been received that his brother Benjamin, of the Northumberland Fusiliers, who had been reported missing, is reported to have been killed on April 18th last. The mother Mrs Jane Hudson, underwent an operation in the Clayton Hospital last Tuesday.”
Midway through April 1917 Benjamin’s Battalion had moved into position near Roclincourt and attacked enemy lines. On 14th April they were relieved and moved back to billets in Bailleul-Aux-Cornailles where they received special training in preparation for the forthcoming offensive action. On 22nd April they marched to Arras where they moved into the Oppy Line. On 28th April the Battalion took part in an offensive operation against Rouex chemical works and that day 157 ordinary soldiers were reported wounded and missing.
The Register of Soldiers Effects confirms Benjamin’s death as “on or since 28.4.17 death pres(umed)” with his effects going to his mother Jane. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal and is remembered on the Arras Memorial.
Family Life
Benjamin was the son of Robert William Bonser Warren and his wife Jane. He was born on 28th September 1897 and baptised in the Free Methodist Church in Wrenthorpe on 5th January 1898.
(For further information about his family life see account of William Henry Warren)
Arras Memorial
