Seaby, Benjamin

Benjamin was the eldest son of Alfred and Hannah (nee Barton) born on 2 July 1893 at Ashwell, Hertfordshire. He was a pupil at the Merchant Taylors School in Ashwell.

Benjamin enlisted in October 1914 with the Hertfordshire Regiment, Regimental Number 4033. He transferred to the Royal Sussex Regiment, Regimental Number G/15560, serving first with the 11^th Battalion with whom he was mobilized to France in March 1915 and fought various battles on the Western Front. He then transferred to the 12^th Battalion and received a gunshot wound to his left forearm. After recovering he joined the 16^th Battalion, ending the War in Belgium. Benjamin survived the War.

He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

He is commemorated on the St Mary’s Church Ashwell Roll of Honour.

Before enlisting he worked at a brewery.

Benjamin married Kate Pretoria Randall in the 2^nd quarter 1920. They had five children, Violet, Benjamin, David, Myrtle and Olive.

The 1939 census shows them living at Ashwell, with Benjamin a brewery lorry driver.

Benjamin died in 1966. He is buried in the St Mary’s Church cemetery, Ashwell.