George Elliott Benson was born on 24 May 1861 at Allerwash, Northumberland. He was educated at Harrow and was commissioned into the RA in 1880. He served in Egypt and the Sudan in 1885, seeing action at Hasheen and Tamai. In 1895 and 1896 he fought in the Ashanti and Dongola campaigns. In 1898 he command in the Kassala district during the Nile Expedition. In the South African War he was DAAG in Methuen’s Kimberley Relief Force. At Magersfontein he guided the Highland Brigade during a night march accurately to the point of a hill that he had previously reconnoitred at great risk to himself. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel on 29 Nov 1900.
At the battle of Brakenslaagte on 30 Oct 1901 he commanded a column which was attacked in blinding rain and mist by a large force of Boer commandos under Louis Botha, Grobler and Oppermann. The rear guard bore the brunt of the attack and Colonel Benson rode to the point of danger and although wounded twice, carried on giving orders. He died of his wounds along with 12 other officers killed, and 16 wounded. The total casualties were 123 out of the 160 who set out. There is a statue of Colonel Benson standing in Beaumont Street, Hexham. It was unveiled by General Lord Methuen on 9 Mar 1904
