Does anyone on this page live in Benton Close in the village? If so you may be unaware where the name came from. It is named after the brave man in these photos, George “Jim” Benton.
Jim was born in late 1924 and was not quite 15 when World War 2 broke out. When he was old enough he volunteered to join the RAF and became a rear end gunner in a Lancaster bomber, a “tail end Charlie” as they were known. Without doubt one of the most crucial but most dangerous roles he could have taken on.
He flew numerous missions over Nazi Germany including the raid on Dresden and completed a full tour of duty (25 missions) despite many near misses and at least 2 occasions when they feared the plane wouldn’t make it back.
Thankfully he survived the war and directly afterwards he took part in the humanitarian operation dropping food to starving people in Holland.
In 1946 he married his sweetheart Peggy Cook and they went on to have over 60 years of happy marriage, earning a card from the Queen on their anniversary They spent most of their lives in a smallholding in Moulton Eaugate where they would grow produce and bedding plants selling much of it at local auctions before moving to Roman Road in retirement.
In addition to his wartime bravery Uncle Jim was an upstanding member of the village community and was on the Parish Council for many many years as well as being a big supporter of St. James’ church, the village friendship club and both the village and Spalding flower parades. He also worked at the Spalding Sugar Beet Factory I believe.
Like so many veterans he didn’t often speak about his wartime experiences but before he passed away he did write a short account of his wartime RAF training and missions. For anyone interested you can read it here https://www.wattpad.com/1281939041-jim-benton-world-war-2-memories-raf-memories
It certainly gives an interesting insight into what must have been a very scary time. Jim made it through the war but many of his comrades were not so lucky. Today we remember them.
Thanks to Jake Wakefield
