Benjamin Snowling Grimble

A Private with 1/5th Bn. Benjamin died on 17th of May 1917 at the age of 20. 

Benjamin was born at Lowestoft on 6 December 1896, a son of Benjamin Snowling Grimble and Adelaide Priscilla Grimble. He was baptised at Saint John's Church, Lowestoft, on 12 February 1897 and his family lived at Kirkley Run. In 1901 his family lived at Birds Lane, off Carlton Road. From 28 April 1903 Benjamin attended Kirkley School. By 1911 his family were living at Fir Green, Rushall, Scole, Norfolk, and Benjamin worked for his father. Later his family returned to Lowestoft at lived at 2 Birds Lane, Kirkley Run.

Benjamin enlisted at Lowestoft and served with the 1/5th Battalion Gordon Highlands, initially with service number 4192. 

On 13 May 1917 the 1/5th Battalion were in bivouacs at the railway embankment north of the Arras-Famoux Road. On 15 May they were warned to be ready to move at 20 minutes notice as a German attack was expected. On 16 May the expected attack came at the trenches north and south of the railway embankment. The Battalion was ordered to move up to the Oppy Line and launch a counter attack. This operation continued into 17 May. 

The Battalion War Diary shows that 33 officers and men were killed on 16 May, with 179 wounded, and 17 missing. Benjamin's name appears in the list of men wounded on 16 May and, presumably, he died from his wounds soon afterwards.