Benjamin Griffiths
Private 62086 - West Yorkshire Regiment
(Prince of Wales's Own) 9th Battalion
Enlisted: Mansfield 21st May 1917
Killed in Action 4th Nov 1918 : Aged 19
Valenciennes (St. Roch) Communal Cemetery; ref III. B. 24
Private 62086 Benjamin Griffiths was born c1900 Stavely, Derbyshire. That's where parents 1894 Dudley Q4 registered marriage between Worcestershires coal hewer Mr James Edward Griffiths from Newton and Miss Louisa Hubble begins raising a family in Poolsbrook housing, until relocating their growing circa 1906 needs into Huthwaite. Fullest 1911 household in past Swann Yard terracing is headed by collier Mr John Griffiths 38. Mrs Louisa Griffiths 37, had lost two infants, impressively still left mothering Louisa 19, Lily 17, William Henry 15, Emma May 14, Benjamin 12, John 10, Noah 8, plus Huthwaite born Edna 4 and Wilfred 3.
Mr Benjamin Griffiths typically followed father and brother into coal mining, most likely employed at the Huthwaite New Hucknall Colliery. Signing military attestation at Mansfield 21st May 1917, offered age 18 years 27 days. Measuring height 5 foot 1⅞ and expanded chest 33 inches, weighing 99lbs approved an enlisted Pte 86903 into the Sherwood Foresters 9th Territorial Battalion.
Pte 62086 B Griffiths is transferred to the West Yorkshire Regiment when shipped to Boulogne 30th March 1918. Final reposting to join their 9th Battalion 26th June, recognises position with the Prince of Wales's Own infantry when killed in action among France and Flanders battlefields 4th November 1918, at a now calculable very young age 19.