19156 Private Benjamin Watson Sillince
9th(Service)Battalion
Devonshire Regiment
1st July 1916
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(13/01/1888) 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(He had previously been Sergeant 1256 in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, enlisting on 01/06/1869, serving in India between 07/01/1870 and 11/12/1881, before leaving the army on 09/10/1888).
In 1907 Benjamin married Jessie Eliza Smith(03/02/1886-07/06/1978) and they went on to have 4 children;
Frank Joseph(born 14/11/1908), Mary Amelia (20/12/1909-16/06/2003), Lily Mary (10/11/1911-1988 and
Ivy Rose (27/08/1913-07/01/1995).
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.
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.
His widow was awarded a pension of 22/6 a week on 09/.01/1917 starting from 22/01/1917
His wife Jessie remarried on 01/02/1920 to Charles Henry Shiret(10/12/1886-1947).