Benjamin Schofield

BENJAMIN SCHOFIELD

Private 161013, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry

Died 27th September 1915 aged 23

No Known Grave Commemorated Loos Memorial, France

Son of Edgar and Mary Schofield both deceased

Lived 18, Cook Lane, Heckmondwike

Benjamin (Ben) Schofield

Benjamin was born in April/early May 1892 in Westmorland and was baptised at Holme in Westmorland on 8th May 1892. His father Edgar Schofield was from Heckmondwike and so was his mother Mary nee Firth, so perhaps the family were in Westmorland in 1892 because of Edgar’s work as a miner. Benjamin, known as Ben, was the eldest son of Edgar & Mary but had three older sisters all born in Heckmondwike. Another son Clifford was born in Heckmondwike in 1897. The family were living in Clarydon Place Heckmondwike in 1891. Unfortunately Edgar died at the end of 1898 aged 36 years, leaving Mary with five young children. Mary married John Hine in 1899 and the family were living at 2 Centre Street Heckmondwike in 1901. Also living at 1 Centre Street in 1901 were Mary’s parents Joseph and Sarah Ann Firth. Sadly Mary also died in 1907 leaving John Hine with step children and 2 more young daughters, Edith & Ethel Hine. By 1911 Ben was still living in 2 Centre Street with extended family and was a coal hurrier in Mirfield.

He enlisted in September 1914 and went to France a year later, Loos being his first engagement. He was reported missing in September 1915 but his death on 27th September 1915 was not confirmed until a year later when his sister received notification. He has no known grave but his name is listed on the Loos Memorial. This memorial is situated in the Dud Corner Cemetery at Loos-en-Gohelle in Pas-de-Calais, France. His name is also on St. James’ and St. Saviour’s war memorials. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory medal.

His brother Clifford Schofield also served in WW1 and his name is in the Heckmondwike Memorial Book. Two of his cousins also died in WW1, Percy Schofield (son of his father’s brother William Henry Schofield) and James Arthur Schofield (son of his father’s brother Arthur Schofield). Their common grandparents were Joseph Schofield and Martha nee Naylor. Other cousins are also named in the Memorial Book. {MA-115}

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