Elias Bentham

[Garybentham]

Hi
Looking for any information on Elias Bentham, my great uncle. He died at Gallipoli but I know little else.
Thank you

Gary Bentham

[sphinx]

1971 Private Elias Bentham, 1st/5th (TF) Battalion The Manchester Regiment
KIA 4.6.1915

regards

[charlie]

Welcome to the forum Gary
All I can add is that he went overseas with the battalion on 10 September 1914.There is a very short history of the battalion in 1914-15 here http://themanchesters.org/5th%20batt.htm
Charlie

[PhilipG]

Garybentham,

Gary - welcome.

Your relative was killed in action on the 4th June 1915 whilst taking part in the Gallipoli battle known as the Third Battle of Krithia.    The battalion was part of the 127th (Manchester) Brigade - Br.Gen. Noel Lee - of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division, which was composed of the 5th,6th,7th & 8th Manchesters.

The attack opened well.  A penetration of the enemy's line of 1000 yards took place, 217 prisoners were taken, the Turks were in retreat and the Manchester Territorials were said to have fought like veterans, being "in high fettle".   However, for various reasons, and not least an attack on three sides of the brigade, a withdrawal was ordered and by nightfall the day's fighting had resulted only in a gain of about 500 yards.   Among the many casualties was Br.Gen. Noel Lee who had been mortally wounded around midday.    Pte Bentham has no known grave and his name is inscribed on the panels of the Helles Memorial.

PhilipG.

[mack]

1971 elias bentham
killed 4-6-15
aged 22
resided with his elder sister at 53 platt lane,scholes
worked as a miner at pemberton colliery
born 2-12-1892
there was a photo published in the wigan observer on 17th july 1915
his brother 1777 william bentham was in the same battalion,another brother 3486 james bentham was in the 1st lancs fusiliers,all three were at gallipoli

mack