Trafford

Born on the 8th November 1906, the birth being registered during the
December quarter 1906 in the Toxteth Park R.D. - ref: 8b/207, the eldest
son of John & Lydia Agnes Benn (nee Mckay).

1911 Census - 42 Miller Street, Toxteth Park, Liverpool.   Son - aged: 4 -
born: Toxteth Park, Liverpool.   Head of household - John Benn - Married -
aged: 26 - occ: Police Constable - born: Toxteth.   Also Lydia Agnes Benn -
Wife - aged: 26 - born: Toxteth.   Plus 2 younger siblings.

1939 National Registration - Stretford Memorial Hospital, 226 Seymour
Grove, Stretford.   John E. Benn - Married - born: 8th November 1906 - occ:
Fireman (Fire Bridge) & A.R.P. Auxiliary Fireman.  His wife and children
were then residing at - 107 Redington Road , Liverpool.   Lily Benn -
Married - born: 5th December 1905 - occ: Unpaid Domestic Duties.  The
records of their two children are closed.

Married Lily Percival at St. Michael's P.C., Garston on the 1st August
1928, the marriage being registered during the September quarter 1928 in
the Liverpool R.D. - ref: 8b/74.  John was recorded as a 21 year old
bachelor employed as a Engine Room Artificer, Royal Navy, residing at 7
Heald Street, Garston - his father, John Benn recorded as a Police
Sergeant.  Lily Percival was a 22 year old spinster residing at 21 Hardy 
Street, Garston, the daughter of Thomas Francis Percival a Railway Servant.
   John & Lily had two children and resided at 27 Lascelles Road,
Liverpool. 

His father was an ex-fire station sergeant and his brother was a policeman
in Liverpool who was killed in a fire (Liverpool Blitz???) a short time
previously.

During the air raids on Stretford in December 1940, Sub-Officer Benn,
serving with the Stretford & Urmston Joint Fire Brigade, was in charge of a
number of pumps when a bomb fell nearby, injuring several of his crew.   
He immediately rendered first aid to the injured and managed to get them
off to hospital.    For this act of bravery and devotion to duty, he was
awarded the MBE.

The full time Station Officer, Stretford & Urmston F.B. Auxiliary Fire
Service.    He died as a result of shrapnel wounds on the way to hospital
and his body was taken to the Church Street Mortuary, Stretford, where it
was identified by his father - John Benn, 36 Wingate Road, Liverpool, to
whom it was released for burial.

Liverpool Echo dated 30th August 1930 - "Explosions at the Garston factory
of the British Thermite Company.   Fire-sergeant John Benn (John Edwin's
father), together with a another fireman were hurled backwards by an
explosion.   They refused to go to hospital and carried on fighting the
fires.   A long report.

CWD Report No.116 and the CWGC state that he died at Park Road (Fire
Station House), but this was his home address - the incident that killed
him was actually at Great Stone Road.

Death reported in the 25/04/1941 edition of the Stretford & Urmston News. 
Death registered in Stretford Borough.   Buried at Liverpool (Allerton)
Cemetery on the 15th March 1941.

Following John's involvement in the Christmas Blitz - 22nd/23rd/24th
December 1940, his Chief Officer - Joseph Clitherow, the Chief Fire Officer
of the Stretford & Urmston Joint Fire Brigade submitted a report about Sub
Officer John Benn, Firemen Wiliam Hulme (22) & Fireman Fred Hilton (21) as
follows:-  "Sub-Officer Benn displayed remarkable courage and coolness in
dealing with a very serious situation.  The three men had been fire
fighting almost continuously for 24 hours when the second enemy attack
commenced on the district.  High explosive bombs were dropping and also
land mines were exploding in the area.  The three men concerned  were in
the vicinity of two H.E. bomb explosions which killed 4 (5 actually) Oldham
Auxiliary Firemen, one civilian and seriously wounded two other civilians
in addition thereto.  Four Auxiliary firemen and one regular fireman were
badly affected by the shock.

Gazetted on the 8th April 1941.  "Sub-Officer Benn displayed courage and
coolness in dealing with a very serious situation when H.E. bombs caused
casualties to firemen and civilians.  He gave first aid treatment and
applied tourniquets to three badly wounded persons.   The Sub-Officer then
went on foot through intense bombardment to other fires.  He showed
presence of mind and devotion to duty in extremely dangerous conditions."

Owing to the intense bombardment, the Sub-Officer instructed the men to
take shelter and from there proceeded on foot to other fires.  He
considered the situation serious and there being no telephonic
communication with the fire station, the Sub-Officer, together with Driver
Hulme, extracted a Leyland pumping unit out of the ring of fires and
returned to the fire station to report the seriousness of the position so
that further assistance could be sent into the Trafford Park
area..................Signed J. Clitherow."

From another source - "During the air raids on Stretford in December 1940,
Sub-Officer Benn, serving with the Stretford & Urmston Joint Fire Brigade,
was in charge of a number of pumps when a bomb fell nearby, injuring
several of his crew.    He immediately rendered first aid to the injured
and managed to get them off to hospital.    For this act of bravery and
devotion to duty, he was awarded the MBE."

The full time Station Officer, Stretford & Urmston F.B. Auxillary Fire
Service.    He died as a result of shrapnel wounds on the way to hospital
and his body was taken to the Church Street Mortuary, Stretford, where it
was identified by his father - John Benn, 36 Wingate Road, Liverpool, to
whom it was released for burial.

CWGC -  Station Officer, Stretford and Urmston Joint Fire Brigade. Son of
John and Lydia A. Benn, of 36 Wingate Road, Liverpool; husband of Lily
Benn, of 27 Lascelles Road. Died at 240 Park Road.

Manchester Evening News dated 11th March 1944 - "In Memoriam - In
remembrance of J.E. Benn ever remembered by Officers and Men at Park Road
Fire Station".

Death registered during the March quarter 1941 in the Barton upon Irwell
R.D. - ref: 8c/1176 - aged: 34.   The death was reported in the 25/04/1941
edition of the Stretford & Urmston News.   Buried at Liverpool (Allerton)
Cemetery on the 15th March 1941.

Manchester Evening News dated 11th March 1944 - "In Memoriam - In
remembrance of J.E. Benn ever remembered by Officers and Men at Park Road
Fire Station".

Liverpool Echo dated 11th March 1942 - "In Memoriam - In memory of Station
Officer John E. Benn from his colleagues"

Liverpool Echo dated 11th March 1943 - "In Memoriam - In loving memory of
our eldest son John E. Benn OBE, 36 Wingate Road".

M.I. on gravestone in Allerton Cemetery, Liverpool - "Age shall not weary
them".    His wife - Lillian Benn, died on the 1st July 1962 - aged: 56.