Charles Henry Benstead was born in Ufford on 22nd February 1896, the eldest child of George and Laura (née Clements). George and Laura went on to have four more children, Mary Ellen, Florence, and unnamed twins who died shortly after they were born. The family was living on Doe’s Alley, Melton, and in 1911, Charles was working for the Melton Brewery as a bottle-filler.

In February 1914, at the age of eighteen, Charles enlisted in the Royal Marines Light Infantry (RMLI) at Chatham and was posted to join the Chatham Division and then on to HMS Royal Arthur, a depot ship based in Scapa Flow, in the Orkneys, providing protection duties for the Battle Fleet based in the area. Charles remained in Scapa Flow from 1st January 1915 through to 30th April 1918 when he was attached to the Royal Garrison Artillery.

Charles remained in the RMLI until he was discharged as an invalid on 3rd December 1930. At this time, his address was listed as Melton Street and it was from here he married Margaret Ellen Tyler (known as Ellen) the following year. In 1939, Charles and Ellen were living at “Cornerways” on Hamblin Road, Woodbridge. Charles worked as a foreman at the Woodbridge Canning Factory and Ellen as a canteen manager. Charles’ father, George, also lived on The Street in Melton with his daughter, Mary, acting as his housekeeper.

Ellen died in 1947. The following year, Charles married Elizabeth Newbury in Newport, Monmouthshire, Wales. He died in Newport in 1959 aged sixty-three.

For his war service, Charles received the 1914-15 Star and the British War and Victory Medals. He was also awarded the Naval Long Service and Good Conduct medal in 1929.

 The British Home Fleet at Scapa Flow where Charles was based during the war.