Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Item

Title

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Who?

James Joseph Benton - Great Grandfather of contributor

Item(s)

Service records; 2x medals; cap badge; ID bracelet; discharge records

Story

James was born in 1899 at Seton Lodge, Touch where his Father John James Benton was the Butler for Sir Alan Henry Seton-Steuart. Over the next few years James travelled with his family all around North Northumberland and the Scottish Borders as John’s father, originally from Whaplode in Lincolnshire, worked as a butcher, a fishmonger and Inn keeper at various towns and villages before resuming his career as a Gentleman’s Footman.

James would have met his Uncle George Benton, who had served with the 12th (Prince of Wales) Royal Lancers during the 2nd Anglo Boer War and after 12 years’ service became an Inn Keeper at Kelso. At the time James was living at Seahouses in Northumberland as his Father was the Inn Keeper at the Ship Inn.
Due to the strong Scottish connection, James joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, whose Regimental home is Stirling where James was born. He enlisted on the 20th Jun 1918 when 18 years old and after training was posted to the 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He served abroad and was transferred to Army Reserve on the 20th Feb 1919.

Known as “Granda Joe” to my family who knew him, he kept his medals, cap badge, Certificate of Transfer to Reserve on Demobilization and an ID bracelet/tag which without, would have given no clue to his service. His ID tag is not Army issue and would have been a private purchase, It shows his name, religion, service no and regiment. Thankfully all of these items remain in the family and they were kindly loaned to me by my Uncle Alan and Auntie Michelle.

Along with the rest of my family who served during the First World War, they had all passed before I was born, or when I was only a few years old. Thankfully the items relating to my Great Grandad “Joe” were kept in the family and now I am able to share them for future generations as part of the work done by the organisers and volunteers of the Lest we Forget Project.

When?

1918-1919

Where?

Unclear

Contributor

Garry Renner

Collection Day

South West Roadshow, Plymouth

This item was submitted on June 18, 2019