Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Sergeant Benjamin Woods was serving with the Northamptonshire Yeomanry when he passed through Peterborough East Station on 14 October 1916.  He was stationed at Trusthorpe Hall Camp, Mablethorpe, Lincolnshire and wrote in the visitors’ book

“Many gratefull thanks to the ladies in waiting”

Benjamin also helpfully wrote his home address in the book, which was “The Lodge, Field Burcote, Towcester, Northamptonshire”.  He was born on 5 February 1876 in Foxton, Cambridgeshire to parents Thomas, a stationary engine driver and Sarah (possibly nee Oliver).  In 1881 Benjamin, aged 5, was living at the Public House, Foxton with his parents, Thomas (39) and Sarah (33) and siblings Harry (12) blacksmiths apprentice, William (10), James (7), Albert (3) and Mary (1).

Benjamin married Charlotte Smith in Linton, Cambridgeshire in 1907 and they had two children; Ben (1908), born in Stratford-upon-Avon and Kathleen Mary (1911) born in Croydon, Surrey.

In 1911, the family were living at Field Burcote, Duncote, Greens Norton, Towcester, Northamptonshire.  Benjamin (35) was a stud groom (working for Arthur Henry Bagnall, director of rubber companies), Charlotte (34) and children Benjamin Nevis (2) and Kathleen Mary (4 months).  Also living with them were two boarders, Jesse Greenfield (20) and Robert Elliott (20), both domestic chauffeurs.

No military records for Benjamin have been located, but his civilian experience as a stud groom would have made him eminently qualified for service in the Northamptonshire Yeomanry.

In 1939 Benjamin, Charlotte and their daughter Kathleen were living at 1 Shaw House Cottages, Red Farm Gate, Shaw, Newbury, Berkshire.  Benjamin was a stud groom and Kathleen a shorthand typist.

Benjamin died in 1955, aged 79 years in Newbury, Berkshire.

Do you think you could be related to Benjamin?  Does his story sound familiar?  Please get in touch with if you can tell us more.