Benjamin lived at 32 Sudellside Street, Darwen, and before the war worked as a weaver at Sunnyhurst Mill. He was awarded the Military Medal for devotion to duty, in saving and rescuing wounded under heavy fire on 16th October 1918. On this date the 74th Field Ambulance was based in the Avesnes-les-Aubert area, near Cambrai. Their war diary advises an extremely challenging day for the unit with an attack by the 72nd Brigade resulting in 280 cases admitted. Benjamin received a letter from his divisional General congratulating him upon his gallant behaviour. [Part information and photograph from the Blackburn Weekly Telegraph, 28th December 1918, page 11]