Category Archives: Benger family

George Benger (photograph)

Description Black and white group photograph showing a football team, one man holds a football which features the words RED 1895, beneath which is a silver cup.

Caption for picture My great-grandfather, George Benger (1876-1951) appears in the centre of the back row of this football team photograph.  In 1895 he was part of the winning team and won a silver shield in the Senior Cup which is now in my possession. The shield he was given is engraved with ‘Portsmouth Football Association’, his name, and the letters GRS. His occupation was a Plumber, he later worked for the Naval Ordnance, and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal for ‘Particular Meritorious Service’ in 1936.

Comments

I chose this photograph as it illustrates a different side to this relative, rather than the usual birth, marriage, death or occupation facts I have usually uncovered.

 

Wooden box

I inherited this lovely wooden box which belonged to my paternal grandmother, Viola Margaret Benger. I presume it was originally for jewellery.

wooden box

I’ve had it a long time and still use it for storing my treasures. It has its’ original label on the bottom, stating it came from  the Landport Drapery Bazaar which was based in Commercial Road, Landport, Portsmouth and started trading in 1870.

Landport Drapery Bazaar

The Landport Drapery Bazaar was bombed in the Second World War and subsequently rebuilt a couple of times. It was brought out by United Drapery Group in 1965, in 1982 changed its name to Allders and in 2005 taken over by Debenhmas.

Poor spelling!

I am always really grateful whenever I find transcriptions online. I feel really sorry for any volunteer that gives their time to read old records.

I came across a transcription of marriages in Elson, Gosport which included that of my grand-parents:

page 46 no 92 September 14 1929 Hery Harper YOUNG 32 Bachelor Salesman Fort House Elson & Kate Margaret BEGER 24 Spister Fort House Elson married after banns fathers Mansel YOUNG  Retired & George James BENGER Mechanic  in the presece of G J BENGER & W ANDERSON

My grandfather’s name was Henry Harper Young and my grandmother was Viola Margaret Benger and was a spinster. I think I would have used my judgement to change spister to spinster!

A trip to Portsmouth

A trip to Portsmouth in 2005. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to blog about these photographs. I suppose with the advent of google maps you can look up addresses in the comfort of your own home but I think it’s better to get out and about if you can.

Bath Street, Southsea

121 Bath Road, Southsea was the home of George and Eleanor Benger when they registered the birth of their daughter Viola (my paternal grandmother) in 1905.

 

St Augustine Road, SouthseaThey later moved to 98 St Augustine’s Road, Southsea according to the 1911 census.

St Mary's Church, PortseaSt Mary’s Church, Portsea – where George Caswell married Louisa Leigh on 15th December 1834.

Woodland Street, Milton, PortsmouthAddress of Mansel and Kate Young and their two children Alfred and Henry (my paternal grandfather) at the time of the 1901 census – 2 Woodland Cottage, Woodland St, Portsmouth.

Royal Navy record of George Benger

Service record for George Benger – ADM/188/23 Admiralty: Royal Navy Registers of Seamen’s Services

Names in full – George Benger

Date of Birth 7 May 1838

Place of Birth St Thomas, Portsmouth

Personal Description:

  • Height 5’11”
  • Hair Dark Brown
  • Eyes Grey
  • Complexion Fair
  • Wounds, Scars, or Marks – None
  • Trade – Musician

1) Ships served in – Duke of Wellington

Ships’ Books List 2 No. 3

Rating Bandsmen

Good Conduct Badges worn 3

Period of Service 1 Jan 1873 to 13 Oct 1873

Character V Good

 

2) Ships served in – Active

Ships’ Books List 5 No. 224

Rating Bandsmen

Good Conduct Badges worn 3

Period of Service 14 Oct 1873 to 14 Oct 1874

Character V Good

 

If Discharged. Whither and for what cause –

CS Martin. pass to England – Invalided

To do – find out more about Good Conduct badges and records and see if I can find a record of his injury.

Wedding Wednesday – Benger/Young 1929

This way I’m joining up with Wedding Wednesday again. I’ve chosen a black and white photograph of my grandparents on their wedding day, 14th September 1929 at the Parish Church, Elson, Gosport.

benger young wedding

My grandmother kept a few souvenirs from her wedding day including  the parish newsletter, a silver shoe (perhaps from her bouquet or wedding cake) and a little card with their initials on.