Bensley William Henry Fusilier 4127854
Personnel Entry
Name Bensley William Henry
Army number 4127854
Rank Fusilier
Decorations None known.
Date of birth Not yet known.
Age 25 at the time of his death.
Unit Enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment. Transferred to Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. Posted 9th Battalion. Served B.E.F.? Served Malaya. Died 12/9/1944, en route from Singapore to Japan as a Prisoner of War in Japanese hands when the transport Rakuyo Maru along with other vessels was torpedoed. He was reported MISSING by the Japanese.
Company/Battery Z Company.
Platoon or other sub-unit
Task or role Not known.
Joined Brigade
Promotions None known.
Wounded Not as far as is known.
Prisoner of War Yes - captured Singapore 15/2/1942 when the force was surrendered.
Died/Killed in action Died 12/9/1944. Fusilier Bensley did not appear on the Battalion Part II Orders of September 1945, listing those who died in captivity, but the information as to his death at sea became known later. CWGC have him as serving in 9th Battalion which has been confirmed as correct. Commemorated Column 46 of the Singapore Memorial.
Home address No family information as yet.
Source table
To read an Imperial War Museum detailed article on the sinking of these vessels, please click here.
