George Benger was born in 1838 in Portsmouth. Early details about his life come from census returns:
1841 Census Nobbs Lane, Portsmouth (age 2)
1851 Census, Mill Lane, Forton, Alverstoke (age 11) scholar
1861 Census – not found
1871 Census – not found
According to Army records he was on the Duke of Wellington between 1 January 1873 until 13 October 1873, then HMS Active On the Gold Coast from 14th November 1873 to the 5 March 1874. He was awarded a medal for his role in The Anglo-Ashanti Wars.
1881 Census, age 42, Retailer of Ale Beer and Porter, living at The Willow Tree, Alverstoke, Hampshire
1891 Census, age 52, Beer Retailer, the Willow Tree, Beer House
Probate record: George Benger of the ‘Willow Tree’ beerhouse Forton-Road Gosport, Alverstoke, Hants, beerhouse keeper died 15 February 1896. Probate London 2 April to Caroline Benger widow and James Smith Contractor; sagent. Effects £42 15s 3d.
