Benjamin (Ben) DUFFY

DUFFY, Benjamin

Service Number: 3306
Enlisted: 5 July 1915, Melbourne, Vic.
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 14th Infantry Battalion
Born: Whittlesea, Victoria, Australia, February 1893
Home Town: Whittlesea, Whittlesea, Victoria
Schooling: Whittlesea State School, Victoria, Australia
Occupation: Porter
Died: Killed In Action, France, 3 July 1916
Cemetery: Brewery Orchard Cemetery, Bois-Grenier
Memorials: Whittlesea Memorial Arch, Whittlesea War Memorial
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World War 1 Service

5 Jul 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3306, 14th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic.
11 Oct 1915: Involvement Private, 3306, 14th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Nestor embarkation_ship_number: A71 public_note: ''
11 Oct 1915: Embarked Private, 3306, 14th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Nestor, Melbourne

Help us honour Benjamin Duffy's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Son of James and Margaret DUFFY - Enlisted and served as Ben Duffy

I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY COME UNTO ME AND REST

On Active Service.
DUFFY.— Killed in action on the 3rd July, Private Ben Duffy, loved second son of James and Margaret Duffy, and loving brother of Henry (Murrumbeena) , Hannah and Effie (St. KiLda). Rachel (Black Rock), Victor, Walter and Jessie (of Whittlesea), aged 25 years 5 months.
' Our soldier boy'.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man
lay down his life for his friends.

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Biography contributed by Kaye Wheeler

Ben Duffy was the 6th of the 10 children of James and Margaret Duffy and was born in Whittlesea, Victoria in February 1893.  He was obviously a very conscientious school student and received a certificate in 1908 aged 14 because he had never missed a day in all his years of schooling! Quite an impressive achievement.

Ben's family were very close and his mother and siblings very involved in the local Anglican Christ Church. Trove articles show Ben performed songs or dialogues at Sunday School Gatherings. Three of his brothers became ministers when grown.

After leaving school, Ben worked as a porter (perhaps at the railway or bus depot).

Ben joined the AIF in July 1915 and just one year later died on the battlefield in France. His parents and siblings were devastated. They were proud of him for joining up to serve his country, and took comfort that his sacrifice was for the benefit of others. 

 

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