Act. Corporal Alfred Benham - Botany's first lost son

Acting Corporal Alfred Henry Benham, from the 13^th Battalion, is believed to be the first soldier from Botany to be killed in the First World War. He was a clerk and lived on Tenterden Street. 

Alfred enlisted on 14 May 1915 and sailed with the 6th Reinforcements aboard HMAT Wandilla on 14 June 1915.

He died of wounds received at Gallipoli, on the 15^th of August 1915 aged 20 - only 12 weeks after enlistment.

"He was the first soldier born in the Municipality of Botany to pay the supreme sacrifice."

Alfred Henry Benham's name is located at panel 68 in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.