Henry Roxby Benson

Henry Roxby Benson (1818–1892) was a 19th-century British General. Born into a distinguished Welsh family^[1] he was gazetted into the 17th Lancers^[2] as a cornet on 31 January 1840^[3] and rose steadily: lieutenant, 15 April 1842;^[4] captain, 27 June 1845^[5] and major on 23 October 1854.^[6] He commanded the 17th Lancers in the Crimea from 14 January 1855, including at the Battle of the Tchernaya and the siege and fall of Sebastopol, and commanded the squadron of the Light Brigade in the night attack on the Russian outposts on 19 February 1855. For his service in the Crimea he received the medal with clasp, the fifth class of the Order of the Medjidie, and the Turkish medal.^[7] On 30 September 1856 he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the 17th.^[8] Subsequent service in India (where he commanded the 2nd Cavalry at Malwa^[9]) lead to further promotions, notably Colonel of the 7th Hussars.^[10] Appointed CB in 1861^[11] he continued to rise until his final promotion to the rank of General twenty years later. His son Henry Wightman Benson was also a distinguished officer.^[12]

Notes

1. Family progency
2. “The 17th/21st Lancers” ffrench Blake, R. L. V.: London, Hamish Hamilton, 1968 ISBN 978-0-241-01543-8
3. The London Gazette: no. 19819. p. 199. 31 January 1840.
4. The London Gazette: no. 20091. p. 1047. 15 April 1842.
5. The London Gazette: no. 20483. p. 1895. 27 June 1845.
6. The London Gazette: no. 21629. p. 3517. 17 November 1854.
7. Hart's Army List (1891) p. 159, n. 2.
8. The London Gazette: no. 21934. p. 3466. 24 October 1856.
9. The Times, Saturday, 30 Jan 1892; pg. 7; Issue 33548; col B Obituary
10. Hussars Colonels
11. Bulletins and Other State Intelligence 1861
12. Details of son's career