Graeme Patrick Benson
From Our Contribution
 | |
 Marker at Karrakatta Cemetery | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 8 May 1918 |
| Place of Birth | Harrowgate, Durham, England |
| Death | 24 Oct 1974, aged 56 |
| Place of Death | South Perth |
| Age at Enlistment | 22 years, 2 months |
| Description | ; hazel eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Orchardist |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Address | 'Jmphal' River road, Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs. Agnes Benson |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W243708 & WX10983 |
| Date of Enlistment | 4 Jul 1940 Militia; 5 Mar 1941 2nd AIF |
| Rank | Gunner |
| Unit/Formation | 1stembarkationdatefrom= 9 Sep 1941 |
| Journey Dates | ‒ 23 Sep 1941 |
| Transport Details | HMT Queen Mary Fremantle to Egypt |
| Return to Australia | |
| Journey Dates | 29 Jan 1943 ‒ 19 Feb 1943 |
| Transport Details | SS Île de France Egypt to Fremantle |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Medals |
Africa Star Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
War Service
On 4 Jul 1940 Graeme enlisted in the CMF and was sent to the Australian Army Medical Corps Training Depot before being posted to the Western Command Recruit & Reinforcement Reception Depot from 24 Jul 1940 until 4 Mar 1941 when he joined the 2nd AIF. On 11 Mar 1941 Graeme was posted to the AAMC Training Depot at Northam and after 4 days leave, on 17 Apr 1941 he was posted to the Northam Camp Hospital. However on 23 Apr 1941 he was transferred to the 2/1st Australian Convalescent Depot. On 18 May 1941 he entrained for Melbourne, arriving there on 22 May 1941. The day after he arrived in Melbourne he was posted to the Southern Command Training Depot AAMC.
Between 4 July and 6 August 1941 he was detached to he 107th Australian General Hospital at Puckapunyal. On 20 Aug 1941 Graeme entrained for Western Australia and pre-embarkation leave, arriving there on 23 Aug 1941. On 9 Sep 1941 Graeme embarked on HMT Queen Mary in Fremantle (part of Convoy US 12A), disembarking at Port Tewfik on 23 Sep 1941. On 30 Sep 1941 Graeme was transferred to the 2/1st Australian Convalescent Depot, remaining with them until he was transferred via the AIF (ME) Staging Camp (4 May to 1 Aug 1942) to the 2/12th Field Regiment Royal Australian Artillery on 19 Aug 1942 as a TG III Clerk.
On 12 Dec 1942 he was admitted to the 2/6th Australian General Hospital with bacterial dysentry. On 10 Jan 1943 he was fit enough to return to the Field Regiment, and with them he embarked on HMT L3 (SS Île de France) on 29 Jan 1943 for Fremantle where he disembarked on 19 Feb 1943. Graeme was admitted to the 110th Australian Base Hospital with Neurosis on 16 Mar 1943. On 1 Apr 1943 Graeme was released to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot for reassignment and on 6 April he was posted to the 122nd Australian Special Hospital. on 15 Apr 1944 Graeme was transferred to Victoria, but on 20 Apr 1944 at Royal Park in Victoria he was seen by a Medical Board and his 'D' status upheld resulting in him returning to Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot. A short time later, on 15 May 1944 his confirmed Medical Classification as 'D' Separation Anxiety led to his discharge on 10 Jun 1944.
Post War
Death was considered to have been Service Related. Address on discharge was River road, Kelmscott.
Electoral Roll entries: 1949 with Ruth at 285 Mill Point Road, South Perth, public servant; 1954 1972 at 48 Anstey street, South Perth
Notes