Private Benjamin Gupwell 1st/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment

Shoulder Title

Benjamin Gupwell was a private (No.235026) in the 1st/4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. He was killed on Thursday 19th April 1917 aged 30. The battalion was a Territorial Battalion.

In 1901 Benjamin was living with his parents in Main Street,Crick, Northants. His father, Joseph, was a 57 year old shepherd and lived there with his wife Sarah. They had 4 children living at home with them at the time. They were James, a 24 year old domestic groom, Alice (22), William (19) a shepherd and 14 year old Benjamin who was a plough boy. It is assumed they moved to Great Glen sometime between 1901 and 1917 when Benjamin was killed. By this time also, Sarah had been widowed.

Leicestershire Regiment
Non-regular Battalions

The battalion was part of the 138th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division and were brigaded with the 1st/5th Leicesters and the 1st/4th & 1st/5th Lincolns. From 16th April 1917 the Battalion was at Vend in Ley, near Bethune. On 19th April it relieved the 1st Battalion North Staffs in a sector NW of Lens running through Cite St Laurent. The relief was completed by midnight. The Accident & Emergency Corps were in the front line in a series of Pistoho trenches. The enemy was occupying the houses and cellars in the vicinity and the Battalion was subjected to heavy shelling by the enemy during which there were many casualties including Benjamin Gupwell.

Benjamin's Grave

Benjamin is buried in Maroc British Cemetery, Nord, France. For details of how to find the cemetery click on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission link.

Maroc British Cemetery

There does not appear to be a Medal Record for Benjamin.