Private 16317 Benjamin Tonks

Died of Wounds on Sunday, 11th June 1916, age 19.
Buried in Grave VI. Q. 63. at Merville Communal Cemetery, Nord, France.

18th Bn., Lancashire Fusiliers. 104th Brigade of 35th Division.

Son of Isaac Tonks, of 24, Broad St., Wallbrook, Coseley, Bilston, Staffs.
Born: Deepfields, Enlisted: Dudley, Resident: Coseley.

First landed France & Flanders, post 31st December 1915.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Commemorated on the St. John's, and Christ Church, Coseley memorials.
Commemorated here because he appears on a Tipton memorial.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/539538/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Benjamin Tonks was registered March quarter 1897 in Dudley.

1901 Census
3 Edge Street, Coseley, Staffs.
Isaac Tonks (34, Puddler, born Coseley), his wife Catherine (31, born Bloxwich), and their 5 children: Thomas (9, born Coseley), Lily (8, born Coseley), Isaac (6, born Coseley), Benjamin (4, born Coseley), and Arthur (1, born Coseley).

1911 Census
24 Broad Street, Wallbrook, Coseley, Staffs.
Isaac Tonks (44, Coal Miner, born Coseley), his wife Catherine (42, born Bloxwich), and their 9 children: Thomas (19, Coal Miner, born Coseley), Lily (18, born Coseley), Isaac (16 Box Filler at Blast Furnace, born Coseley), Benjamin (14, Moulder at Foundry, born Coseley), Arthur (11, School, born Coseley), Frederick (9, School, born Coseley), Joseph (7, School, born Coseley), John (5, School, born Coseley), and Samuel (1, born Coseley).

Personal Data

Benjamin Tonks was born and lived in Coseley, he is recorded here as he is commemorated on St. John's Memorial in Princes End; he is not really a Tipton man.

After Benjamin's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £3/12/2d (3 pounds, 12 shillings and 2 pence); this was paid to his father, Isaac, in October 1916. His War Gratuity was £5/10/0d (5 pounds and 10 shillings), this was also paid to his father in August 1919. The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Benjamin had enlisted in approximately February 1915.

Benjamin's mother, Mrs Catherine Tonks, was awarded a Dependant’s Pension of 5/0d (5 shillings) per week, effective from 2nd January 1917. Her address at that time was 24 Broad Street, Coseley.

Benjamin's brother Isaac Tonks, was killed on 4th November 1914 whilst serving with the 1st South Staffs.

Action resulting in his death

The 18th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, was initially a Bantam Battalion for men who did not meet the 5 foot 3 inches height requirement for other infantry Battalions. By the end of 1916 the quality of Bantam replacements became sub-standard; in common with the other Bantam Battalions, replacements from then on were average conscripts. As Benjamin Tonks enlisted in the 18th Battalion in approximately February 1915, it is a reasonable assumption that he was a 'true' bantam and less than 5 feet 3 inches in height.

In late May 1916, the 18th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, moved from the Neuve Chapelle sector to Richebourg. They took over front-line trenches near Richebourg on 5th June 1916.

Their War Diary for 11th June records: “Attempted raid on enemy’s trenches at 12.45AM on the 11th. During the day preparations were made and a telephone laid into No Man’s Land. Raid failed owing to fact of shells bursting in No Man’s Land.”

One officer (Lt Strong) was killed and 8 Other Ranks were recorded as wounded; this included 16317 Pte Tonks. The War Diary later records: “16317 Pte Tonks died of wounds, buried at Merville.”

It is possible that Benjamin was wounded whilst in No Man’s Land, but he was evacuated back to Merville where Casualty Clearing Stations were situated. He died from his wounds, and was buried in Merville Communal Cemetery.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.