19156 Private Benjamin Watson Sillince
9th(Service)Battalion
Devonshire Regiment
1st July 1916
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Born in Dover in 1883.
His parents were Joseph Sillince(born in 1850) and
Mary Jane Williams(1862-1907). They were married on 28/11/1882.
Benjamin had 2 brothers; Joseph Arthur(born in 1890) and John Thomas (1895-1924). He also had 3 sisters; Gwendoline Maud(1886-1930), Lucy Jane(born in 1891) and Lily May(1898-1965).
In the 1901 census the family were living at
148 Church Street in Deptford. Benjamin was a general labourer and his father was a tram driver.
In 1907 Benjamin married
Jessie Eliza Smith(03/02/1886-1978) and they went on to have 2 children; Frank Joseph(born in 1909) and
Mary Amelia (20/12/1910-2003).
In the 1911 census Benjamin was recorded as being employed as a dock labourer and the family were living at
3 Dorking Road Deptford S.E.
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He enlisted in Deptford and his date of disembarkation into France was on 21/12/1915.
He was killed in action on 01/07/1916.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star,
The 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
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His wife Jessie remarried on 01/02/1920 to
Charles Henry Shiret.
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