James Benson's Tragic

Life Ends on Papuan Battlefield

rE death of Rev. James Benson, of the Anglican Mission Station at Gona, Papua, while still on mission duty (reported in the October issue of the “PIM”), brings to a close a life that held its full measure of deep personal tragedy, and also of devotion to the cause of Christianity arid humanity.

James Benson came to Australia from England about 30 years ago, to work in the Brotherhood of the Good Shepherd at Gilgandra. While a lay brother there he met Miss Bertha Weston, whom he married after his ordination. Together they went to New Guinea, spending some years there in mission work; but a grow ing family made it necessary for them to return to New South Wales.

While Rector of Bodalla he met the greatest tragedy of his life. One summer, in the middle twenties, when he was re turning from a holiday with his wife and children, along the coast road in southern New South Wales, he drove his car into the river at the unlighted Bateman Bay crossing, and all but he were drowned.

He was devoted to his family, and it was only by extraordinary faith that he was able to face life again after this blow.

His outlook had changed, however; and, after a time, he entered the Community of the Ascension at Goulburn, and was later professed.

This life of contemplation pleased him well; but he was also a man of action, and, when the Community undertook a life of greater restriction, he felt that it was not for him. He returned to New Guinea to work in the mission areas he had previously known.

Father Benson was a man with a naturally happy personality. He had a voice like an organ, and liked to boom out sea-chanties and other songs with a swing, and to gather young people around him.

At the time the Japanese were moving into the Buna-Gona-Kokoda district, Rev.

James Benson. Sister May Hayman and Miss Mavis Wilkinson were stationed at the mission at Gona. It was thought by the Sydney headquarters of the Anglican Mission that, on some pre-arranged plan, they had escaped just prior to the enemy’s arrival. In mid-August, Bishop Strong reported that they were safe and well, However, at that time, the Japs were advancing quickly along the Kokoda-Port Moresby track, employing persistent, out flanking and infiltration tactics, and the small mission party apparently soon found themselves behind the enemy lines.

Early in October the Australian Board of Missions was advised by the Depart °f External Territories that they “aa, “according to native reports,” been killed at the beginning of September, and subsequent reports strengthen this belief, The names of Father Benson, Sister Hayman anci Miss Wilkinson must now *? e , ac^ec * , to .increasing list of Pacific Islands missionaries of all faiths who have &°ne to , their deaths rather than abandon the natives to whom they had devoted their lives.