William George Benson and Angelina Jane Elizabeth Ann (Freestone) Benson on their wedding day, Manilla, New South Wales, 21 August 1917. Photograph courtesy of Joan Benson.
Angelina Jane Elizabeth Ann Freestone was born on 11 September 1893 in Manilla, New South Wales, to John Freestone and Jane Freestone. Her father was 37 years old and her mother was 34 at the time of her birth.
On 21 August 1917, Angelina married William George Benson in Manilla, New South Wales. Together they raised a large family, having ten children over the next nineteen years. Despite the hardships they experienced, including the loss of several children in infancy, the family remained closely connected to the Manilla district.
Angelina died on 13 January 1939 in Tamworth, New South Wales, at just 45 years of age. She was laid to rest in Manilla Cemetery.
Their children were:
Bernard George Benson was born on 25 November 1917 in Manilla, New South Wales. He married Dulcie Taylor on 25 November 1950 in New South Wales. Bernard died in May 2001 at Wallsend, New South Wales, aged 83, and was buried there.
Merle Benson was born in 1919 in Manilla, New South Wales. She died in 1939 at Stockton, New South Wales, aged about 20.
Gladys Irene Benson was born in 1920 in Manilla, New South Wales. She later married Leslie James Warner, and together they had five children. Gladys died on 3 August 1977 in Randwick, New South Wales, aged 57, and was buried at Sandgate Cemetery.
Harold Benson was born on 13 November 1922 in Manilla. He married Doreen Janet Black on 17 November 1951 in New South Wales. Harold died on 29 January 1998 in Newcastle, New South Wales, aged 75, and was buried at Sandgate Cemetery.
Colin John Benson was born on 3 June 1925 in Manilla. He married Audrey Rose Herbert on 2 June 1951 in Maitland, New South Wales. Colin died on 17 August 2006 in Maitland, aged 81, and was buried there.
Vincent Leo Benson was born in 1928 in New South Wales. He married Marion Anne Smith in 1963 in Newcastle, New South Wales. Vincent died on 4 November 1971 in Newcastle at the age of 43 and was buried at Beresfield Cemetery.
Percy Thomas Benson was born on 11 September 1929 in Manilla, New South Wales. He died on 10 October 1929, less than one month after his birth, and was buried in Manilla.
Thomas Benson was born on 14 October 1930 in Manilla. He died on 16 October 1930, just two days after birth, and was buried in Manilla.
Joan Benson was stillborn in 1932 in New South Wales.
An unnamed Benson child was born in 1936 in Tamworth, New South Wales, and sadly died on the same day.