Rev. W. Benton 223 



most of those with whom he came in contact. In the words of 

 one who knew him well, " he was loved as an unselfish, whole- 

 hearted, true soldier and friend." If he could save a soldier 

 from getting into trouble he was happy. 



While at Ripon holding these classes he failed one evening 

 to turn up for tea where his belongings were awaiting him. He 

 had been giving a lecture in the North Camp. Time passed on, 

 midnight came, and still no Captain Benton. He arrived in the 

 early hours completely exhausted, and explained he had been 

 detained. It was found out he had been on his way home, and 

 when passing through the town had come across various soldiers 

 just back from leave. All were more or less intoxicated and 

 had no officer or non-commissioned officer with them. The 

 men were quite unable to find their way to camp, and resented 

 interference from him, but he forced them to form fours and 

 arrive at some sort of order, collecting others until he had 

 about fifty or more, and then marched this strange company 

 through the town and out of harm's way, keeping them on the 

 move until discipline was fully restored and the men recovering, 

 when he took them back to the North Camp. 



It was difficult to get anything from him about the incident, 

 but I know he was very happy at having saved the men from 

 getting into trouble. 



In February, 1916, Captain Benton returned to France, but 

 before leaving England he wrote to his sister, saying : 



" I hope I shall see you to say ' good-bye,' as it may be a 

 very long one. At the present rate of officers falling there is 

 mighty little chance of coming through. They seem to be 

 dead-marking all our officers, and that is why we shall need 

 every available man before we're finished. God bless you 

 always. 



" Your affectionate brother, 



" Dick. 

 " P.S. — Remember me sometimes." 



On rejoining the troops he was again put in command of the 

 Brigade Snipers. Writing home on April 3, 1916, he says : 



" I am still with the 51st Brigade and like them very much. 

 General Piicher sent for me the other day and told me he thought 



