12815
MANSFIELD , Benjamin Garnar
| Service Number: | 561 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 June 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 32nd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Adelaide, South Australia, 10 October 1896 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Horse driver |
| Died: | Adelaide, South Australia, 3 September 1976, aged 79 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Derrick Gardens, Path 34, Grave 562B |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Jun 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 561, 32nd Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Nov 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 561, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
| 18 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 561, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Geelong, Adelaide | |
| 20 Jul 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 561, 32nd Infantry Battalion, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), GSW Right arm (amputated). | |
| 3 Sep 1917: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 561, 32nd Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Adelaide High School
Benjamin Garner Mansfield was born on the 10th of October 1896. His parents were Celia and Harvey Mansfield. Benjamin’s occupation was a house drawer (architect). His address was 52 Ballantyne street, West Thebarton, Adelaide, SA. He was 5 feet 10 ¼ inches tall and 147 pounds (66 kilograms). He had dark hair and his eyes were grey. He was a Baptist. His parents also lived in West Thebarton. He previously served with the army Cadets, which in those days was part of a National Service scheme.
He enlisted on the 8th of July, Keswick, SA for WW1 when he was only 18 and 8 months. Both his parents were present when this happened and gave permission. Prior to going to Europe, he was injected with a small pox vaccine as was standard practice for Embarkation.
He embarked on the HMAT Geelong A2 on the 18th of November 1915. He served in Egypt, France and Belgium. He fought in the 32nd Infantry Battalion. His unit number was 561 and he was a Private. He fought in the battle of Fromelles on the 19th of July 1916. His battalion arrived in the trenches 3 days before the battle. At the time it was known as the battle of Fleurbaix.
He was wounded at Fromelles / Fleurbaix and was taken to Harefield Hospital in the UK and assessed as unfit for further service. His right arm was amputated as a result of his wounds. He was unable to fight and returned to Australia on board the ‘Theristocles’. On return to Australia he was discharged 'Medically Unfit'.
On the 4th of September 1917 he was given a pension of £3 (£206.40) fortnightly but it was decreased to £2.5 (£140.88) on the 14th of March 1918. His total service in the War was 2 years and 58 days. His days abroad was 1 year 227 days. His character was described as good. He won a British War medal for his services in the army. It was Medal No. 7687th medal to be issued and was given to him on the 4th of August 1918.
He continued to work in the Defence Department for many years. He left the army at the age of 60 on the 29th of May 1956.
He died on the 3rd of September 1976. Benjamin was buried at the Centennial Park Cemetery in Adelaide. He had a burial type ceremony.
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